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Save money, save water. Get a water meter

Jasmine Birtles 20th Mar 2020 2 Comments

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Want to save a few hundred pounds a year and help conserve a scare resource? Want to give less of your money to a big company and keep more yourself? Simple! Just think about water. And specifically, think about getting a water meter.

Why should I get a water meter?

Over the years I watched in amazement as my annual water bill went up and up and up again. In one year it was £237. Then £247 the next. The one after that there was a giant leap to £304. As I live alone, shower in my health club most mornings and work abroad three months of the year, I thought something was not right.

Then a plumber friend told me to have a water meter installed. But this wasn’t straightforward. First I had to register for an Optional Metering Scheme, which involved phone calls and paperwork. Then I had to wait for three months. But it was worth it.

“When the water meter man arrived he extolled the virtues of the meter. He was a man who loved his job. He told me that “This meter will make you very aware of how much water you use and what it costs. You’ll not only save a lot of money, but you’ll find yourself using less because you will think of water differently.”

He was right. My annual bill went from £304.00 to £96.00, for starters. Over two hundred pounds less! And I started paying attention to how I used water.”

How to save water

Here are a few ways you can save water:

  • When cleaning you teeth, turn off the tap. Every minute you leave the tap on wastes 6 litres of water
  • Put a few bricks or a Save-a-flush in your toilet cistern to save up to a litre per flush
  • Shower rather than bathe. That can saves hundreds a litres a week
  • Fix dripping taps to save dozens more litres a week
  • Keep water in the fridge, meaning you won’t have to run the tap for ages to get a cold drink
  • Make sure you have a full load in your washing machine. The average wash needs about 95 litres. A full load uses less water than 2 half loads. 
  • When you boil an egg, save the cooled water for your houseplants. This also gives them nutrients released from the shell
  • Only fill your kettle for your needs, not to the brim. This will reduce your fuel bills too
  • The dirty water after cleaning a fish tank is great for your houseplants, and is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus
  • When you buy a new washing machine or dishwasher, choose the new water efficient variety with an A rating

Finally (after you stop boring your friends with the tale of how you saved money with your water meter!) enjoy it by spending wisely or saving it.

Also, spare a thought for people who can only dream of turning on a tap to have clean water. You might want to send a celebratory contribution to one of the charities that help provide water to the developing world. Check out  www.wateraid.org.uk

This is a guest blog from journalist Tira Shubart

Want to save even more money on your energy bills? Read our other articles:

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Dan
Dan
2 years ago

I have a Hippo water saver in my toilet cistern.
I also use grey water from washing-up to flush the toilet but not sure about using it to water my plants though!
I miss having baths as my flat only has a shower stall but I’m getting a bath installed this year.
I’ve learned a lot about water conservation from my volunteering with Don Catchment Rivers Trust, where we go out litter picking and doing river clean-up work. I really enjoy getting my waders on and going in the water!

Joanne
5 years ago

Definitely think water meters can save you money.

Jasmine Birtles

Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.

Jasmine Birtles

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