Should water be a national priority

This is not the view of Head of the Environment Agency, Sir James Bevan who at a recent the recent Waterwise Conference warned of water shortages 'within 25 years'.

The problem is that the UK is experiencing an ever-increasing demand for water and it is struggling to meet that demand. According to Bevan "unless we take action to change things, we will not have enough water to supply our needs".

What the Bevan want is for water wastage to have a behavioural change similar to that of plastic bags in recent years. Currently, the average home in England uses 140 litres of water a day. The conference organisers, Waterwise, wants you to reduce this by 40 litres to 100 litres a day.

There is no need to change your lifestyle to achieve this target. A few simple changes will go a long way to reducing your water usage.

Install a low-flush toilet

Currently, we use around 31 litres of water a day flushing toilets in the home. Installing a low-flush toilet is an easy way to reduce your water usage without even noticing.

Shower instead of bath

An average bath holds around 80 litres of water, which means if you have a deep bath regularly, you'll be using a large amount of water each week. A short shower will use less water than a bath, and you'll maintain your daily hygiene. Look at our walk-in showers to find your preferred style.

Install a water-efficient washing machine

Water-efficient washing machines are a great way to save water. You won't even notice you're doing it. Don't forget to check you're using the right setting and only start the wash when you have a full load.

Don't use your dishwasher until it's full

Like the washing machine example, don't start your dishwasher until it is full. Alternatively, limit your use of the dishwasher, instead handwashing items in the kitchen sink.

Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth

Strangely, it’s common to keep the tap on when we’re brushing our teeth. Make a conscious effort, to switch off the tap when you’re ready to brush your teeth. Use a small amount of water at the start and end of brushing to save water twice a day. By making these little changes, you’d be surprised how much water can be saved.

Limit the amount you water your lawn

It can be very tempting to water your lawn in the summer to keep it green. However, some sprinklers use an extortionate amount of water. Reduce your watering to once a week during hot periods and not at all the rest of the year.

It's important to be aware of how much water you use particularly in the bathroom. A few small changes will make a huge difference in the long term.