South West Water Urges Customers to Use Water Wisely All Year Round

South West Water is reminding customers that saving water isn’t just for the summer months. Following the UK’s warmest summer on record, the company says water storage levels across the region remain lower than usual and that everyone can help reservoirs refill before next summer.

Every Drop Counts – Come Rain or Shine

To encourage people to use water wisely, South West Water has launched a new campaign called Every Drop Counts – Come Rain or Shine. It provides simple advice for households on saving water and money, particularly for those on a water meter.

The campaign also includes guidance on checking for leaks, understanding water meters, and learning what the company is doing to improve water storage over the winter.

Fixing Leaks and Reducing Waste

Last year, South West Water repaired over 16,100 leaks, helping to reduce leakage by more than 10 million litres a day. Around 30% of water loss in the region comes from pipework that belongs to customers, and the company is helping people identify and fix leaks on their own properties.

Kim Williams, South West Water’s Head of Water Resources and Water Efficiency, said:
“Typically, in summer the region sees lower rainfall but higher demand for water. In the colder months, there’s more rain and less demand, so reservoirs can refill.

“A really hot, dry summer like the one we’ve just experienced puts more strain on water resources and unless there’s a very wet autumn and winter, we might not make up the shortfall. Using just a little less water in the colder months helps resources to recover, so we can start next summer with reservoirs as full as possible.”

Everyday Changes That Make a Difference

South West Water highlights that toilets are one of the biggest water users in the home, accounting for around 25% of daily use. A single leaky toilet could waste as much water as an entire household uses in a day.

A recent incentive involving 10,000 Cornish customers found that 29% of households had a leaking toilet.

Top Tips for Saving Water

• Washing-up tips: Fill a bowl rather than washing under a running tap. It takes about 8 litres to fill a bowl but 9 litres a minute if the tap is left running. A bath uses around 80 litres, while a short shower can use less than half that.

• In the kitchen: Wash glasses first to keep water cleaner for longer, scrape plates instead of rinsing, and reuse the same mug or glass throughout the day.

• At the sink: Fix dripping taps quickly and know where your stop tap is in case a pipe bursts.

For more advice and to order free water-saving devices, visit South West Water’s website