Handy tips to reduce water usage -

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Consequences - The temporary use ban is not just on hosepipes, but on non-essential water usage including filling paddling pools and washing cars. Failure to comply can lead to a sizeable fine. Here's how to make a difference.

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Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth - ...And teach your kids too!

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Get rid of the lawn - Replace thirsty lawns with drought-resistant plants like lavender and verbena.

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Fit a water displacement device in your cistern - You can ask your water provider for one of these or take a trip to the hardware shop.

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Or just use a brick - Put a brick or a pop bottle filled with water in the cistern for the same result at a much cheaper cost.

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Don't flush - Sometimes it isn't necessary. Maybe think twice before you automatically reach for the handle.

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Take a shorter shower - Consider setting a timer to ensure you don't lose track of time.

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Fit a low-flow shower head - Reduce the amount of water you use to wash without even realising.

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Put a water butt under your drainpipe - Use the water collected to water your garden, wash the car, or clean the windows.

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Fix leaky taps - ...And any pipes, showers, or other spots that drip. It all adds up!

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Use a watering can - A hosepipe can use as much as 1,000 litres of water an hour. A watering can wastes much less.

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Install a water meter - When you can see how much you use on each bill, it is easier to reduce.

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Buy efficient appliances - Research how much water appliances use before buying a new dishwasher or washing machine. An appliance that costs more up-front may pay for itself in reduced water bills.

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Mulch your garden - Mulching your plants with bark chippings, heavy compost, or straw and watering in the early morning and late afternoon will reduce evaporation and save water.

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Keep a jug of tap water in the fridge - It will help you avoid running the tap until it is cold.

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Only wash full loads - Wait until you have a full load to do laundry. It will reduce waste water and electricity.

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Choose a short cycle - Most of the time, our clothes aren't really dirty. They just needs a quick refresh in a short spin.

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Skip the bath - Choose a shower instead. It uses significantly less water than a soak in the tub.

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Shower less often - Most of us don't get dirty at work each day, so consider skipping a day or two a week and see the water savings add up.

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Only boil what you need - Measure how many cups of water you need before boiling the kettle. There's no need to waste energy and water filling it up.

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Don't go nuts - Be conscious of the amount of nuts you consume. Industrial farming of almonds, pistachios, and other nuts is water-intensive.

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Eat seasonally and locally - There are many benefits to eating this way, including not using excessive amounts of water to grow vegetables out of season or in unusual habitats.

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Reduce your meat consumption - As much as domestic reductions add up, consider the impact of reducing industrial water usage. Raising animals for meat uses significantly more water than growing vegetables so consider a plant-based diet or even just meat-free Mondays.

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Choose animal products carefully -

If you do choose to eat meat, consider the water cost. Animals that are factory farm raised consume feed that grown with high amounts of irrigation and rainwater. But animals that are pasture-raised eat forage, which primarily relies on rainwater.

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Chicken or beef? - Producing 1kg of beef requires approximately 15,400 litres of water, whereas 1kg of chicken requires around 4,300 litres, according to the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. The same amount of potatoes requires just 287 litres.

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Don't buy processed foods - The more industrial steps in getting food to your plate, the more water is wasted. Choose whole foods instead.

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Use a dishwasher - The Water Footprint Calculator states that washing dishes by hand requires about 20 gallons per load, whereas standard dishwashers use six to eight gallons and water-efficient machines use only four to six gallons.

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Keep the thermostat at a reasonable temperature - Avoid keeping your house too hot or too cold. Keeping the temperature steady will reduce water usage because heating and cooling systems use a lot of energy, which is produced using a lot of water!

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Swap the car for a bike - Cycling uses much less energy and doesn't require nearly as much upkeep as driving. Overall, consider your energy consumption. Any reduction in carbon will also help save water.

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