Cutting back on water usage

glider3560

Does anyone have any suggestions on ways to cut my usage. I received my bill today for water and sewerage which was for £150, for 6 months (which I was expecting to be around this figure).

I live on my own - so this is quite a high figure (according to my water company's website). This works out at £25/month. In my old place, I was paying £18/month and this covered the bill nicely (the water co is the same in both places).

I've done the following already, but seen very little difference:

• 1.5 litres of bottles in toilet (that is the most that will fit)
• ShowerSave thing for my shower, as the water pressure is very high
• Only flushing the toilet after doing number twos or before I leave the flat (not great but probably saves quite a bit of money)
• I always turn the tap off when brushing teeth, etc and always use a washing up bowl (no running water)

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

deanos

Is your bill an actual read or an estimate, or was the previous bill an estimate ?

glider3560

deanos wrote: »

Is your bill an actual read or an estimate, or was the previous bill an estimate ?

Both actual, have also double checked the readings myself.

deanos

Where is the meter have you checked for a joint or crossed supply

glider3560

deanos wrote: »

Where is the meter have you checked for a joint or crossed supply

I had a crossed meter issue with my gas, so I checked both the water and electricity meters. The dial only goes round when I have something switched on and stops turning when I don't. There are the correct number of meters for the number of flats and they all appear to turn, so I can't imagine there are any joint supplies.

urs_3

Hi Glider,
Sounds like you are doing loads already.

You should be bale to get a free "hippo" bag to put in the loo this absorbs 1 litre. Do you have a power shower? If so this can use as much or more than a bath. It's getting harder to buy lower powered showers now. I've used bath water to wash the car- saves water and the car smells of lavender too :-) I've also scooped bath water into a bucket to use it flush the loo.

Gardening:
I keep a little watering can by the sink and reuse water from washing veg to water plants round the houe etc. Ig you use an eco washing up liquid - old washing up water cna be used to throw over roses - helps keep the bugs os as wel as watering them (but not if you use percil or fairy etc as they are likly to damage the soil)

Cooking:
I mainly use a slow cooker as everything goes in so you only have one pot to wash- and can cook enough for a few meals at a time. Onions are really nice if not fired off first, they almost caramelise. You will need to boil spuds a bit first though. get one wich you cnatake the bowl out - the you can brown stuff under the grill or finish in oven using he same bowl

I've heard you shouldn't wash mushrooms- just brush any mud off. Not sure about that though.

If you have a car, don;t forget you can top up the windscreen washer with water when you do your tyres.
good luck,
Urs

good luck,
Urs

boliston

glider3560 wrote: »

....

• I always turn the tap off when brushing teeth, etc and always use a washing up bowl (no running water)

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

A dishwasher should use less water than hand washing:
http://www.foe.co.uk/living/articles/dishwasher_handwash_5915.html

glider3560

Thanks for the replies. I don't have a car or garden and don't have the space for a dishwasher.

I'll be moving out in about three months time, so I won't be losing any sleep over an extra pound or two a month for the next three months.

gunman786

use public loos

GetRealBabe

gunman786 wrote: »

use public loos

My nearest is a 10 minute bus ride.:eek::eek::rotfl::rotfl:

ozskin

If you are sure of your minimal usage then if your benchmark still shows you as very high, then check meter for problems, but also check for leaks.
you can also sub meter in your home to try and identify exactly where its going.