Don't drain cash on water

AS THE nights draw in, households are increasingly worried about their gas and electricity bills, but there’s another utility quietly adding to the pressure — water.

- By Harvey Jones

The average household is expected to spend £603 on water this financial year, a rise of 26% on the previous one, adding £123 to the typical annual bill.

That’s around £10 extra a month, and for some regions the increase could be even steeper.

Martin Smith, water efficiency expert at retailer Showers to You, has put together 10 practical ways to curb waste, save money and make every drop count.

1. A simple step is to invest in a jug of chilled water. Many people run the tap while waiting for cold water, wasting around four litres each time. Over a day, that adds up to 28 litres or more. Keeping a jug in the fridge means cold water is always ready, cutting both waste and cost.