NI Water is encouraging households across Northern Ireland to think about the everyday value of water and where small savings can be made, after the latest Household Water Usage survey highlighted just how much we rely on water for daily life at home and outdoors.

The Department for Infrastructure’s Household Water Usage in Northern Ireland 2025/26 survey shows how important water is to household routines, from showering and laundry to washing dishes and outdoor jobs. Almost half of respondents shower seven times a week, around nine in ten shower three or more times weekly, and most households use a washing machine more than once a week.

NI Water says the figures provide a timely opportunity to encourage people to value water as an essential resource and to make small, realistic changes where they can to help save water.

Water is also part of many outdoor tasks, with 84% of households saying they have a hosepipe or bucket for outside jobs. The figure was highest in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon at 89%, followed by Mid Ulster at 88%, while Causeway Coast and Glens, Newry, Mourne and Down, and North Down and Ards each recorded 86%.

The findings come after a very dry summer. Northern Ireland received just 30% of its average rainfall in July 2026, its eighth driest July on record, highlighting how quickly warm, dry weather can put extra pressure on water supplies and the network.

Thomas Gardiner, Head of Water Strategy at NI Water, said: “The survey is a useful reminder of just how vital water is to everyday life. Whether it is in the kitchen, bathroom, garden or yard, we depend on water for the basics every day, often without giving it much thought.

“That makes it all the more important to think about how we use it and where we can make simple savings. Small changes, made regularly by thousands of households, can help protect supplies and reduce pressure on the network, especially during long dry spells when demand can rise quickly.

“Cutting a shower by a minute or two, only running full loads in washing machines and dishwashers, turning off taps while brushing teeth, checking toilets and taps for leaks, and using a watering can or collected rainwater for plants can all make a real difference.”

Key survey findings:

• Showers: 48% of respondents shower seven times a week and 89% shower three or more times weekly. Some 43% take showers lasting five minutes or less, while 45% take six to ten minutes.
• Bathing: 65% never use, or do not own, a bath; only 8% use one more than once a week.
• Washing machines: 85% of households use one more than once a week and 25% use one every day.
• Dishwashers: 18% of households use one daily, while 43% do not own one.
• Toilets: 72% of households have a dual flush toilet.
• Outdoor use: 84% of households have a hosepipe or bucket for outside use.

Households can get personalised water-saving advice and free water-saving items, including shower timers, tooth-brushing timers, loo strips, water butts and insulated outdoor tap covers, by completing NI Water’s free online water audit at www.getwaterfit.co.uk. 

Ends

Notes to editors:

• The Household Water Usage in Northern Ireland 2025/26 survey results were announced by the Department for Infrastructure today [Thursday 3rd September 2026]. The publication is available on the Department for Infrastructure website.
• NI Water recently published its Water Resource Plan https://www.niwater.com/managing-northern-irelands-water-resources/ showing how it will manage and develop water resources to make sure there is enough water to meet future supply needs. This also sets out how NI Water will maintain water supplies during critical periods such as severe winters and droughts and having a plan for drought.

Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com