To help Irish families conserve more water in the home, such as in the kitchen, the bathroom and in the garden, Irish Water has released these practical tips:

In the Kitchen

• Make sure the washing machine and dishwasher are fully loaded before putting a wash on to save water as well as money on energy bills.

• A basin is handy to have in the sink when washing dishes. It is also useful to collect water when rinsing fruit and vegetables under the tap, which can then be re-used when watering plants.

• If you prefer drinking cold water, keep a jug of water in the fridge. Waiting for a tap to turn cold can waste over 10 litres of water a day.

• Remember to have the correct lid on pots and pans when cooking to reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation. That way, more water can be saved by not having to add any extra water to the pot.

In the Bathroom

• Try and have a shower instead of a bath, as showers only use half the amount of water needed for a bath.

• Spend less time in the shower too, because the average shower uses 10 litres of water a minute.

• Remember to turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, as a running tap can use up to six litres of water per minute.

• Add a cistern bag to the toilet cistern to reduce the amount of water used with each flush.

In the Garden

• Use a rose head watering can to water plants. The best time of day to water the plants is close to sunrise or close to sunset, to reduce water evaporation.

• Add bark or straw to the soil in the garden, as this will help keep the sun off so more water can be retained for plants.

• Use a bucket and sponge to wash the car, as using a hose uses more water in an hour than a family uses in an entire day!

For more tips on how to conserve water, please visit The Irish Water Website https://www.water.ie/community/conservation/be-water-smart/

Story Source: Irish Water

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