Keep a jug of water in the fridge this summer, instead of letting the tap run cold

02 August 2023 15:38

As we reach the halfway mark with the summer holidays, there is no better time to get water smart and learn about the simple things we can all do to help save water.

A top tip is to keep a jug of water in the fridge, instead of letting the tap run cold. Storing water in the fridge in a lidded jug and changing it every day is a great way to help kids and adults keep hydrated and save water at the same time, especially over the busy summer months. Keeping a jug of cool, refreshing water in the fridge also helps reduce single use plastics and helps protect nature too.

Another tip is to use any leftover water to water plants. Plants love to have a drink of water that’s been leftover in glasses or jugs around the home. Or use a bowl for washing vegetables and then reuse this water for plants.

It is also easy to begin thinking about other ways you can reduce your water usage indoors. Start with thinking how much water you are using each day - whether you are washing your hands, cleaning the dishes or tidying up the garden, you start to realise just how important water is and the sheer amount we use.

NI Water’s Environmental Outreach & Learning Officer, Anna Killen, explains how we can save water by looking at everyday habits:, “It’s amazing to think that every day, each person uses around 170 litres of water!  It’s really easy to save water and there are simple things we can all do that can make a huge difference.

“Staying hydrated is important, especially for children who are at home more over the summer months. And with the weather being unpreditable, small changes to the ways we use our water indoors can go a long way.

“Keeping a jug of water in the fridge this summer is a brilliant tip. This keeps the children at home  hydrated over the summer holidays and the adults, along with saving some water too! Just remember water in the fridge needs to be changed every day, or used within 24 hours.

“Did you know that the average time people in Northern Ireland spend in the shower is 9 minutes; over 50% of people still overfill the kettle and less than a quarter of people have a waterbutt.

“With rising energy costs, it might be time to think about reducing the time spent in the shower, hot water costs money! Why not try the 4-minute shower challenge, put on your favourite 4-minute song and see if you can finish before the end.

“Start by looking at small changes, for example, your kettle. Since working from home, it has been working overtime; but just fill it with as much water as you need. Overfilling can use twice as much energy each time you boil.”

To help you kick start these new habits and ‘Get Water Fit’, complete our online water audit at https://www.getwaterfit.co.uk or take part in water saving challenges and receive your free water saving items including a 4 minute shower timer, toothy timers and swell gel bags for the garden.

Some water saving tips:

1 Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth - A running tap can use 6 litres of water per minute.

2 Use a bowl for washing vegetables - Then you can reuse this water for plants. Also use leftover water in glasses to water plants.

3 Make full use of your washing machine - Half load programmes on washing machines use more than half the water and energy of a full load, so wait until the machine is full before switching it on.

4 Fix leaking taps - A dripping tap can waste more than 60 litres of water per week.

5 Keep a jug of water in the fridge, instead of letting the tap run cold. NI Water recommends water in the fridge needs to be changed every day, or used within 24 hours. NI Water are encouraging customers to sign up to its free text alert service which keeps them updated about anything that may impact on their water supply or any of our other services in the area. Sign up here https://www.niwater.com/register-for-keeping-you-informed/

ENDS

For more information please contact press.office@niwater.com