03/29/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Customers urged to save money by making homes ‘water-smart’ for 2021

ANALYSIS of Welsh Water’s meter readings over the year found the increase in usage over the past 12 months, which is largely due to more people spending more time at home.

Welsh Water, the only not-for-profit water company in England and Wales, has urged its customers to form new habits for 2021 in a bid to use water more sparingly and to save themselves money.

Many households have been using small amounts of water much more frequently for things like hand washing, using the toilet, and using everyday appliances like the washing machine, dishwasher, or kettle.

Welsh Water has released some advice in a bid to help people save water, money, and time at home:

Find out whether you have a water meter. Water meters can be a great way to keep track of how much water you’re using, helping keep those bills low. If you have a meter, find out where it is and how to read it so you’re always on top of how much water you’re using.

Love your pipes. Water damage can be devastating and costly to fix – the last thing any homeowner needs. You should only flush the three p’s (that’s pee, poo, and paper) and put everything else in the bin to avoid blockages. And when the weather gets a bit colder, learn how to wrap your pipes to avoid expensive leaks.

Know your home. Make sure you know where your main water shut-off valve is. Being able to switch off the mains in case of emergency can help minimise any problems if they do arise.

Love your water. Make every drop count by turning taps off tightly and addressing and leaks and drips. You can go a step further by fitting a few water-efficiency products throughout your home. Little tricks like fitting a water-efficient shower head or using a water butt in the garden can add up to big savings. And if you need to call a plumber, you can find a local WaterSafe accredited plumber here.

Create good habits. Clearing your gutters of leaves or debris helps prevent blockages and flooding. Servicing your boiler regularly will help keep it in good working order. Start as you mean to go on by scheduling time to do these every so often and keeping your home safe. Break the habit of pouring fats, oils, and greases down the sink, or flushing anything other than toilet paper down the loo – both can cause blocked and burst pipes which can devastate a home and are costly to fix.

Get in control. Make sure you know who your water and sewerage companies are – depending on where you live you might get both services from the same company. Get signed up online so you can stay on top of your bills and make the most of any opportunities to save pennies and pounds.

Stay in control. If you’re ever worried about your bills, Welsh Water has a range of ways they can help. Familiarise yourself with the options online and reach out if you’re ever struggling. The company’s Priority Services Register is on hand for anyone who needs a different kind of help; like accessible bills or bottled water delivered if there’s ever a supply interruption. You can find out more about the help on offer here.
Samantha James, Managing Director of Household Customer Services at Welsh Water, said: “It’s always a good idea to practise good habits when it comes to water.

“Water really is precious and there’s no better time than a new year to decide to make some small changes that can have a big impact. We encourage all of our customers to use water wisely in 2021 and really make every drop count.”

 

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