The other day I came across a fact that made me stop and think. Apparently, we spend around five minutes a day cleaning our teeth and, if you leave the tap running for all that time, you can use as much as 18,250 litres of water per year. This is a staggering amount, especially as most of it will have gone straight down the drain.

 

In the UK we each use an average of 150 litres of water a day. Every drop is purified and pumped using chemicals and energy. Then we use as much as 25% of our household energy bill to heat the water. After that it has to be treated and disposed of. This simply isn’t sustainable, water is a finite resource and as, we’re realising, we depend on rainfall to supply it.

 

We need to cut down on the amount of water we consume. The Bathroom Manufacturers Association lists 20 useful water saving tips but you don't have to stop there, especially if you like gadgets.

 

In public washrooms, taps that sense your presence, and work only when needed, are increasingly common. They’re a good idea because they not only save water and energy automatically but are hygienic since you don’t have to touch them. Taps like Hansgrohe’s Axor range of electronic basin mixers are now available for homes and have infrared sensors integrated into the underside of the spout so the water is only flowing when required. 

 

That’s not all; statistics suggest that showering accounts for around one third of the total water we use. This is where modern digital shower technology comes in to ensure water and energy efficiency. The bespoke Ondus collection from Grohe includes thermostatic options so you obtain your personal water temperature without the need to pre-run gallons of water to pre-mix the ideal temperature. A pause function lets you pause the shower whilst exfoliating or shampooing and then, when you’re ready, you press the button again and the flow continues at exactly the same flow rate and temperature.    

 

One simple device to help you cut the water you use in the shower is the Eco Showerdrop Shower Meter. The display screen's graphics help you monitor exactly how much water your shower is dispensing and a simple alert tells you when the recommended 35 litres has been used.

 

Another water waster is the kitchen tap. One solution is a foot-pedal operated tap like the one from IZI-flow. This means that the flow of water stops the minute you step away from the sink. Even when you’re not around, water might still be wasted if pipes leak. This is where the Surestop range of stopcocks and water switches come in. They work just like a light switch so you can flick the water supply off at the mains every time you leave home. 

 

If you’re unsure whether to flick that switch, I think it’s worth remembering another surprising fact: London has less rainfall than Istanbul.

 

Images: Ondus collection from Grohe

 

This post was written by Roger Hunt at http://huntwriter.com/