How to save water at home

At Apex, we are committed to helping our tenants reduce their environmental impact.

Saving water at home is easy with a few simple changes.  By following these practical tips from NI Water, you can reduce water waste, lower your bills and help protect the environment.

For more information on how to get wise about water in your kitchen, bathroom and outside, visit the NI Water website.

Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth

Leaving the tap running while brushing your teeth can waste 6 litres of water per minute. To conserve water, turn the tap off while brushing and only switch it back on when rinsing.

Use a bowl to wash fruit, vegetables, and dishes

Instead of washing fruit, vegetables, or dishes under a running tap, use a bowl of water. This method uses less water and allows you to reuse it for tasks like watering plants.

Keep a jug of water in the fridge

Rather than running the tap until the water is cold, keep a jug of water in the fridge. This way, you’ll always have chilled water on hand without wasting any.

Shower rather than bath

Taking a shower instead of a bath significantly reduces water usage. A shower uses around 50 litres of water, whereas a full bath can use up to 100 litres.

Take shorter showers

Even when you shower, you can reduce water waste by keeping it brief. Cutting just one or two minutes off your shower time can save litres of water each day.

If it’s yellow, let it mellow

If you’re comfortable doing so, avoid flushing the toilet every time you urinate. Each flush uses around 9 litres of water, so letting it “mellow” can save a significant amount over time.

Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when full

Half loads use more than half the water and energy of a full load, so to save water, wait until the machine is full before switching it on.

Fix leaking taps

A dripping tap can waste 15 litres of water a day, which adds up to over 5,500 litres a year. Repairing leaks quickly prevents unnecessary water loss.

Don’t flush wet wipes or kitchen roll

Flushing wet wipes, kitchen roll, or other non-flushable items causes blockages and wastes water. Always dispose of them in the bin instead.