How can you make sure you do your bit to save water? Here are some suggestions.

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and you could save six litres of water a minute.
• Put a hippo or other displacement device in the cistern of your toilet so you do not flush as much fresh water away; alternatively, buy a new toilet with a dual flush.
• Mend dripping taps and you will prevent at least 5,500 litres of water per tap from going down the drain every year.
• When you use a dishwasher, only turn it on when it is full. Modern dishwashers use 15 litres of water per cycle, so try not to use extra cycles.
• When you do the dishes by hand, then try not to rinse under running water. Hand dish washing consumes an average of 63 litres per wash.
• Fill your bath up to a third instead of up to the brim.
• Take a shower instead of a bath, but keep it short if yours is a power shower.
• Use a low-flow setting on your showerhead, if there is one.
• Cool water in the fridge rather than keeping the tap on until cold water runs through.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water rather than under a running tap.
• Don't flush the toilet just to get rid of items of rubbish such as used make-up tissues.
• If you use garden sprinklers, use them early or late in the day to minimise the amount of water that gets evaporated.
• Use a watering can instead of a hosepipe to water your plants.
• Install a water butt in your house to capture the rain running off your roof.
• Wash your car with a bucket and sponge instead of a hosepipe.
• Don't throw away water if you can reuse it elsewhere, for example to water plants.
• Check your water meter carefully over a couple of hours (without using any water) to make sure you have no hidden leaks that need repairing.

To download a comprehensive list of tips about what you can do to make a difference, click here.

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