Interview D.A. Savic - UK heatwave: easy ways to save water during a drought

“Making small changes, such as spotting leaks early and showering less, can make a big difference. After weeks without rain, the grass is parched, the ground is cracked and a drought has officially been declared across eight areas of England. Water companies are expected to impose restrictions but what more can individuals do to curb water use?
How much water should I use? According to the World Health Organization, people need to use at least 20 litres of water a day for basic hygiene, and 50-100 litres should cover basic needs and prevent health problems from poor sanitation. Average consumption in England and Wales is slightly above. This used to average about 145 litres, but increased to 153 litres a day during the pandemic as people spent more time at home, according to figures from Water UK. According to Rob Lawson, a director at Artesia Consulting, which advises water companies, the figures conceal the fact that most people are modest users of about 100 litres a day and a small number are very high consumers. The best way to reduce overall consumption is for those who are the biggest users of water to cut down – although this is not always possible.”

(Citation: Interview D.A. Savic – UK heatwave: easy ways to save water during a drought – www.theguardian.com (2022)13 August)