Water and sewage bills for households in the UK and Wales are set to increase at the fastest rate in almost two decades, with some companies increasing their average charges by more than 10%. Water UK, the representative of the companies states that the average household water bill will be increasing by 7.5%, the largest increase since 2005. SaveMoneyCutCarbon, the nation’s leading sustainable-living and energy-saving platform outlines the most effective ways for households to reduce and preserve water as bills increase.

Mark Sait, CEO and founder of SaveMoneyCutCarbon, says the highest water costs are in the south-west and businesses, and there are three main reasons for this. Firstly, high water costs are the result of the sparse population, meaning fewer customers share a larger burden of maintaining and improving quality and infrastructure. Additionally, these areas must also bear the cost of cleaning up the coastal waters, and thirdly, there is the cost of dividends paid to shareholders.

The surge of bills will continue to bring uncertainty to struggling and low-income households, which remain negatively affected by the cost-of-living crisis. The need for relief is essential for these households. SaveMoneyCutCarbon host a broad selection of water home shop and mobile app is a selection of affordable and water-efficient products that help save consumers hundreds annually, simultaneously lowering their carbon footprint. For example:

Swap your regular shower head for an Eco Smart one
There is a common misconception that water-saving showers aren’t as enjoyable because they don’t have a constant flow rate or water pressure, but it’s just that – a misconception. Hansgrohe has developed an innovative technology does both, helping you to save water without compromising on the shower experience.

The technology, called EcoSmart, has a flow rate limiter and an aerator inside. The flow rate limiter does exactly what it says on the tin, it limits the flow of water (by 50%), whilst the aerator boosts the flow with added air – so the water pressure remains the same as a conventional shower head – a great green technology for eco-conscious consumers.

Try a water-displacement bag
With more people working from home, there will likely be a rise in water use so conserving water where possible is vitally important. Research shows flushing is responsible for up to 90% of water consumption in commercial environments. Therefore, the Save-a-Flush displacement bag is a brilliantly simple way to save thousands of litres of water every year. It works by displacing water in the cistern to save you 1 litre of water each time you flush your toilet. Overall, this easy-to-fit and zero-maintenance device can save you an average of 4,800 litres a year.

Fit tap aerators in your home
An eco tap aerator only takes a few minutes to fit but it will start reducing your bills immediately. They are small attachments that either fit onto the end of your tap or are inserted into the existing sprout. They mix air into the water stream to restrict the amount of water passing through the tap – reducing the flow of water by as much as 50%. Minimising water flow also reduces the amount of energy required to heat the water – saving you more money each month.