DESPITE the wet summer, the issue of water conservation and the environmental effect of water wastage in Cheshire is becoming an increasingly important topic.

We’ve all grown up taking water for granted. Turn on the tap and there’s water. Flush the toilet and there's water. We use water without really thinking about it. We’ve never had to change our ways - until now.

It’s only a matter of time before water conservation goes the same way as recycling of household waste. Both are modern-day issues: recycling came around because we needed to reduce the pressure of ever-growing consumerism and wastage.

In the same way, changes in weather patterns and the effects of global warming have had such a dramatic effect on the UK’s water supply that scarcity and cost are becoming increasingly important issues for all of us.

How can I save water?

Water-saving is easy and doesn’t require drastic measures, huge expense or big shifts in the way you do things. One way of paying exactly for the amount of water you use is by choosing a metered supply. For many people this helps reduce water wastage and can save them money. The Environmental Agency estimates those with a water meter use up to 15% less water – and that equates to money off bills.

And don’t just stop there. At www.savewater.cheshirecommunities.co.uk you can reduce your water usage even further without changing your behaviour, simply by purchasing one or two low-cost products.

Join the thousands of Cheshire Communities online users and make a difference to both the environment – and to your pocket. For more information on fitting a water meter, visit http://www.savewater.cheshirecommunities.co.uk/water-meters/

Drip and Drop’s Weekly Tip

Old toilet cisterns (pre-1993) can use up to 9 litres of water a flush. Reduce this by a third using a water displacer in the toilet cistern - often called Hippos (http://www.savewater.cheshirecommunities.co.uk/products/bathroom/hippo-cistern-flush-reducer/9). For just £3.99, you can save around £20 a year off your water bill.
And if it’s time to have a bathroom make-over then ensure you install a water efficient dual-flush toilet (http://www.savewater.cheshirecommunities.co.uk/bathroom/toilet/ )– you’ll then only use what you need every time you flush. 

If you have any good water-saving tips you’d like to share, or any questions you’d like to pose to our panel, email administrator@cheshirecommunities.co.uk