Ways to save water? when on a water meter.

[katdarn79]

Right so i had my water meter fitted yesterday, any ideas how i can save water.

Cheers, kathryn x

[Fitzer]

Turn the tap off when cleaning your teeth, don't use a power shower.

[rowanwitch]

don't flush wee
use bath water to water garden
and save rainwater in a butt
don't leave taps running use a washing up bowl
shower rather than bath...
bigger wash loads (good excuse to have more clothes so you wash larger loads but less often)

Use the shortest wash programmes consider changing your WM for a more water efficient model

loads of things

[237SJ]

Get one of those hippo thingies to put in the toilet cistern. I went on a water meter and was really good to start with but I`m afraid I have become more extravagent. I sometimes have to remind myself that I`m paying for the water. One pain is that with a combination boiler, a lot of cold water is wasted while waiting for the hot water to come through. While I`m waiting for the hot to come through, I use the cold to water the plants.

[katdarn79]

Thank you for your replies!!

237SJ, i know what you mean about paying for the water you are using already, when i turn the tap on im seeing money go down the drain, literally.
Kathryn x

[Smowball]

I have been on a water meter for 4 years and my bill has halved!

Another tip - when using dishwasher use shortest cycle poss unless things are really dirty. Mine has a 22 min cycle and gets 99% of things spotless on that.Saves a fortune in time,electric and water.

[katdarn79]

I think once i get a bill i will be ok, its hard to know how much its going to cost.

Smowball, the guy that fitted it said go steady for a few months because thats how they work out what to charge you, and that they dont take readings very often. Is that true? dont you get a bill every month saying how much you have used?
Thanks, kathryn x

[woofgang]

Depending on your council tax level you may not need to save water to save money. Check the numbers before you go crazy.

[woofgang]

Check your water supply company's website, all the info will be there. My meter will be read six monthly.

[EvianBaby]

I've just moved to a house with a meter and got a letter saying they'll send me a bill whenever they do the next reading. It says they only do them every 6 months. I'm a bit nervous about what to expect. I've no idea at all!

[katdarn79]

Before the meter i was paying £51 a month for 10 months, so im hoping it will come down. Fingers crossed.

[ladybirder]

237sj [i] One pain is that with a combination boiler, a lot of cold water is wasted while waiting for the hot water to come through. While I`m waiting for the hot to come through, I use the cold to water the plants. [i]

Me too 237, I cm fill 3 X 1L bottles while waiting for the hot water to get through. I'm still collecting it but not using it as it has been raining and not needed for the garden at the moment. So I've now got about 50 litres of water stood in my kitchen waiting for a dry spell. Just can't bear to waste it. It WILL get used or it would be such a waste.

[maggie01]

ladybirder . Perhaps you should use a water butt for your surplus water.

[SlackAlice]

you've all missed the best one!!

Share a bath/shower with someone else ☺

[rockyracoon]

There was a fella on the telly the other morning sying he only used 6 litres a day (or something similar), I had to go out so didn't see how he did it, but I'll go and have a look. Bet he was a soap dodger.

[ladybirder]

maggie I live in a FFF so nowhere to put a water butt. I have put two water butts on the roof terrace to collect water from the roof but we have so many plants and trees up there that one days watering = one water butt. But they are full at the moment anyway.

[ladybirder]

rocky Chris on here manages on an incredibly small amount of water (Buenchico). I'll see if I can find his post.

[venator]

Drink G&T

[boxtops]

Ours is much less than half, and we haven't really changed our habits. We did get a power shower so the shower doesn't run off the hot water.

[Tilly2]

Some really good suggestions on here so far. I have another one. Use a steamer to cook your vegetables then you only use one pan of water. I have a three layer steamer so I can cook potatoes and two other veggies in one pan.
Every little helps. That saves on electricity/gas too.

[rockyracoon]

I'd be interested in that if you can find it ladybird.