Households Urged To Save Water And Energy

Households have been urged to implement a number of simple measures to help reduce water wastage and save money.

NI Water has said that despite the high volume of rain over the summer, households can save money on energy costs by cutting back on how long they spend in the shower.

The key water saving tips include:

• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth - A running tap can use 6 litres of water per minute. Use a timer while brushing your teeth to ensure you don't waste an extra water too, you can also use a shower timer to avoid extra water being used.

• Use a bowl for washing vegetables - Then you can reuse this water for plants.

• Make full use of your washing machine - Half load programmes on washing machines use more than half the water and energy of a full load, so wait until the machine is full before switching it on.

• Fix leaking taps - A dripping tap can waste more than 60 litres of water per week.

• Keep a jug of water in the fridge, instead of letting the tap run cold. NI Water recommends water in the fridge needs to be changed every day or used within 24 hours.

NI Water offers an 'online water audit' which offers advice, water saving challenges and receive free water saving items including 4 minute shower timer, toothy timers and swell gel bags for the garden.