Switch on to water saving this Water Night

NI Water is encouraging everyone to take part in Water Night tonight (Thursday), October 22 and spend one evening pausing to consider the value of water and how small everyday changes can help protect this precious resource.

The annual awareness campaign brings people across the UK together to build their water-saving knowledge and recognise the role everyone can play in using water wisely.

With all the rain we get in Northern Ireland, it can be easy to take water for granted.

Yet every drop that reaches our taps needs to be treated and pumped, which uses energy.

Water Night is a reminder that using water wisely matters whatever the weather, helping to safeguard supplies and reduce pressure on the network all year round.

An NI Water education officer, Anna Killen, said: “Water Night is a simple but powerful reminder that water is central to our homes, communities and environment.

“We often use it without a second thought, but treating it as the valuable resource it is can make a real difference.

“We are asking everyone to use Water Night as an opportunity to think about their daily habits and choose one or two changes they can keep up throughout the year.

“Every drop saved helps reduce demand on the water supply and the energy needed to treat and pump water.

“Using less hot water at home can also reduce the energy needed to heat it, helping households save money on their energy bills.”

Simple ways to save water:

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.

Take shorter showers where possible.

Only run washing machines and dishwashers with a full load.

Use a bowl when washing fruit, vegetables or dishes rather than leaving the tap running.

Check taps, pipes and toilets for leaks - including silent leaks from the cistern into the toilet bowl - and arrange repairs promptly with a Watersafe plumber.

Keep a jug of water in the fridge instead of running the tap until it turns cold.

NI Water also offers a free online Get Water Fit audit at www.getwaterfit.co.uk to help you find out how much water you use, take part in water-saving challenges and receive free water-saving items, including four-minute shower timers, tooth-brushing timers and swell gel bags for the garden.