The Consumer Council for Water has issued advice in the light of the recent announcement of higher water bills in England and Wales.
Among the savings available, the council said a person living alone paying an average unmetered bill might save about £100 a year by having a water meter installed.
Customers paying metered bills could cut the cost by fixing dripping taps, installing water saving devices in toilets, taking showers rather than baths and collecting rainwater for use in the garden.
The council said that about a quarter of a household's energy bill came from heating water for baths or showers or for washing clothes or dishes. Cutting water use would reduce those bills.
Customers struggling to pay bills should contact their water companies to ask about special tariffs or assistance schemes.
For more information see www.ccwater.org.uk
