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For tenants

How to use water wisely

Lifestyle choices, population growth and climate change are placing increasing demands on our water supplies. Here are some great water saving tips:

Using water wisely

In the kitchen

  • Fill the kettle with only enough water for your needs.
  • Use a plug in the sink or use a bowl to wash dishes.
  • Rinse vegetables in a bowl rather than running water, you can save the water to water your plants.
  • Use your washing machine and dishwasher only when you have a full load, alternatively if your machine has a half load button, use this whenever you can.
  • Hand-washing woollen items does the job just as well as machine washing and saves several litres of water.
  • Cooling water in the fridge means you do not have to run the tap for ages to get a drink of cold water and any smell of chlorine also disappears.

In the bathroom

  • Use the plug in the washbasin rather than leaving the tap running whilst shaving.
  • Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with a glass of water.
  • Using a shower instead of taking a bath will use around one third of the water.
  • The toilet is one of the largest users of water in the home, avoid flushing unnecessarily, and if you have a dual flush control do not forget to use it.

Outdoors

  • Water butt in your garden can collect rainwater that can be used on plants and lawns saving litres of water.
  • Rather than washing your car with a hosepipe use a bucket and sponge and rinse with a watering can.

General 

  • A dripping tap can waste up to 140 litres of water a week.
  • Look out for water tank and toilet overflows running outside (the overflows on modern toilets run into the bowl rather than outside) report any problems as soon as possible.
  • Know where your main stop tap is and make sure it works so that in case of a leak you can isolate the supply to prevent waste of water and damage to your property.

Immersion Heater Safety Alert

If your water is heated by an immersion heater, look out for warning signs that there may be a problem:

  • Excessively hot water coming out of the hot water taps.
  • Excessive noise or ‘burbling’ from the hot water cylinder.
  • Hot water coming out of certain cold water taps.
  • Steam/moisture in the roof space.

If you have any concerns regarding your immersion heater, then please call us on 0208 354 5500.

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