WaterSafe provides practical plumbing tips for saving water as drought deepens

[England, August 2025] – As official drought conditions deepen across England, WaterSafe is highlighting simple, everyday actions households and businesses can take to save water and protect precious supplies.

With a hosepipe ban in effect in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, parts of Berkshire and Wiltshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Kent and parts of East Sussex, Yorkshire, parts of north Lincolnshire and parts of Derbyshire, the need for action is more urgent than ever in the fourth heatwave of the year.

WaterSafe, the UK register for approved plumbers, is encouraging all households and businesses to make small adjustments, starting with acting quickly to fix any leaks.

The average household loses hundreds of litres of water each year due to minor plumbing issues, an easily preventable waste of a vital resource.

WaterSafe’s advice to save water includes:

• Fix a dripping tap: A single dripping tap can waste more than 5,500 litres of water a year.

• Fix a leaky loo: A leaky toilet can waste up to 400 litres a day. To check for a leaky toilet, simply put a few drops of food colouring in the cistern; if the colour appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak. For renters, it is crucial to report any suspected leaks to your landlord or property manager.

• Know where your stop tap is: Locate your internal stop tap, usually under the kitchen sink, in a downstairs loo or under the stairs, so you can turn off the water supply in an emergency.

• In the workplace: Businesses can also review their water use by checking for leaks and ensuring all appliances are running at maximum efficiency.

Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, said:

"The current drought is a clear reminder that every drop of water counts. By taking proactive steps to fix leaks and adopt more efficient habits, we can all play a part in protecting our water supplies.
WaterSafe-approved plumbers are here to help, providing the skills and expertise to address plumbing issues that could be silently wasting thousands of litres of water in your home or business.
We urge everyone to check their plumbing for leaks and make these small but impactful changes."

Find a local, approved plumber at watersafe.org.uk