Be Smarter with Your Water!

17 June 2013 15:50

It's Water Saving Week (17-21 June) and NI Water is asking the public to become more water wise and adopt some simple water-saving habits!

Northern Ireland has a considerable amount of rainfall, but we still need to be water wise and realise the importance of conserving our water supply.  Rainwater is cleaned at NI Water treatment works before it is ready for consumption and general use, which is a costly process.  By making a few changes to how we use our water around the home and garden, we will all make a positive contribution to water conservation.

Maynard Cousley, Water Supply Manager at NI Water, says:

''NI Water continually monitors water levels in reservoirs and takes steps to maximise water storage.  However, although we have sufficient water, we shouldn't waste it - we all need to be smarter with our water.

Taking action now to reduce how much water we use will help us all in the future.''

Tips for conserving water and using it more wisely.

• Using watering cans around the garden instead of hosepipes and sprinklers.
• Using buckets to wash the car instead of a hosepipe.
• Not leaving taps running longer than necessary, ie: when brushing teeth or washing vegetables.
• When using the dishwasher or washing machine, make sure it's a full load.
• Only filling the kettle as much as necessary.
• Mind leaking taps - taps that leak once per second lose 33 litres of water every day.
• Remember the 3 R's - Repair leaks on your property; Report visible leaks on public highways and roads to Leakline on 08000 282 011; and Record your water usage and compare it to the average using NI Water's water audit.

If you would like to assess your own water usage, please fill out NI Water's Home Water Audit by logging onto http://www.niwater.com/information-leaflets/  and click on the leaflet 'Home Water Audit.'

NI Water's water efficiency pages and 'Why Save Water' video can be found by logging onto http://www.niwater.com/why-save-water

ENDS