The Consumer Council for Water Southern (CCWater Southern) has welcomed Folkestone and Dover Water’s decision that the time is right to lift the hosepipe ban in the area.  It is the first water company to lift restrictions in 2006.

Consumer Council for Water Southern Chairman Richard Sturt, said:

Consumers have done well in abiding by the hosepipe ban, saving millions of litres of water in the area over the summer. Thanks to their efforts, recent rainfall and the development of two new water sources, restrictions are no longer needed in Folkestone and Dover, and we are pleased that the company feels that it can now lift the ban. Meanwhile, consumers in other parts of the South East are still subject to hosepipe bans. Each water company must review its position regularly, based on its own circumstances there is still uncertainty about what weather the winter will bring, and whether rainfall will be sufficient to re-fill groundwater sources across southern England.

Dr Sturt added:

The return of rain and lifting of bans should not distract companies from the work of developing new resources, particularly on improving connections between local supply networks.

Households and businesses should all continue to help, following simple tips for saving water:

Five fast fixes for households on water saving

  • Fix any leaks. A dripping tap losing one drop a second will waste 15 litres of water a day.
  • Use water efficient appliances in the home. A typical family of four uses the equivalent of two baths of water every day, simply flushing the toilet: fit a Save-a-Flush device (you may see it called a ‘hippo’ or even a ‘bog hog’) and you could save a litre each time you flush.
  • Save water when washing – take a shower rather than a bath, don’t leave the tap on when brushing your teeth and use the plug in the washbasin when shaving.
  • Save water in the kitchen – use a bowl instead of leaving the tap on when washing up, boil only the amount of water you need in the kettle, and keep cool water in the fridge rather than running the tap to get a cold drink. And don’t use dishwashers or washing machines half full.
  • Save water in the garden – collect rainwater from the roof in a water butt, and give your plants a soaking once a week rather than watering daily. Water your plants in the early mornings or evenings, reducing the amount lost through evaporation.

Five fast fixes for businesses

  • Take regular meter readings. The majority of businesses are metered. By taking regular meter readings, you can monitor your water consumption. Meter readings can reveal if the amount of water used is too high.
  • Trace and repair leaks: Any leaks occurring in the pipes on a property will waste water and money. Leaks may be difficult to trace, but you can check if there is a leak on your premises by taking meter readings at night or at weekends when water is not normally used. Some water companies will also help business customers to check for leaks.
  • Water efficient taps: Dripping taps can waste a large amount of water over time. You could consider installing self-closing press taps that cut off the supply after a short period.
  • Water efficient toilets: Some workplace toilets are programmed to flush all the time, even when there is no-one in the building. Reduce waste by changing the settings, or by installing a sensor-controlled flushing system.
  • Appoint a water monitor: Assign a member of staff to walk regularly around the site, checking for any obvious waste or excessive water use.