Water
Water consumption was reduced steadily until 2009 then leveled off at a sustainable level. It has fallen 46% from its 2002 peak. The dry summer of 2010 meant more watering of pot plants and the vegetable garden hence the rise. All plant watering is done with a watering can.
To translate the graph below, in year ending October 2010 we consumed approximately 100 Cubic Metres of water a year x 1,000 = 100,000 litres a year or an average of 275 litres a day between 2 adults = an average of 137 litres per person per day. Ofwat says the UK average is 140 litres per person. The table below shows we are making progress. The peak in 2017-18 was caused by the building of two small extensions on our building. The low of 112 in 2021/22 was as a result of the drought that year and more stringent use of water that summer.
| Year | Litres per person per day |
| 2002 | 219 |
| 2010 | 137 |
| 2019 | 123 |
| 2022 | 112 |
Water saving technologies
- Installation of a water meter in 1998 allowing for accurate consumption monitoring, recoridng keeping and management.
- Harvesting and storing rainwater in 7 rainwater butts and tanks with total storage of just under 1,500 litres. Five of these water butts/tanks are interconnected to provide water to the Vegetable garden as top priority and thereafter fill the other tanks.
- Fitting an Interflush DIY kit
that fits on top of the toilet siphon and reduces the toilet flush. Decommissioned 2019 Both toilet units have now been replaced with highly water efficient systems - iFlo Kamira toilets in the new rear extension in 2017 and upstairs in 2019. - The installation of an ISE10 Washing machine in 2008 with its A-rated water consumption. This was replaced by a Bosch WAQ28462 washing machine in 2015.
- The Dishwasher is a very water efficient Bosch SMS69L32GB acquired in 2015.
- Six water butts collect and store 1,500 litres of rainwater from the building roofs.
Our Water saving behaviours
- Only using a watering can for watering potted plants and the vegetable garden.
i.e. a self-imposed and ongoing hose pipe ban. - Continuing the 35-year habit of switching off the tap while brushing our teeth!
- We have daily showers, not baths. Typically we each have a bath fewer than twice a year.