With water bills set to rise by an average of 26% this Autumn, adding around £123 to annual household costs, many households are looking for practical ways to save water and money. Recent reports indicate that the average bill will increase to £603 for the 2025–2026 period, with some regions facing even steeper rises, up to 47%.

To help, Martin Smith, spokesperson for bath retailer Showers to You, has shared his top 10 tips to reduce water waste, lower your environmental impact, and help offset rising utility costs.

Top 10 Tips to Save Water (and Money) This Year

Invest in a water jug

Many of us run the tap for several seconds waiting for cold water, but this small habit can waste around 4 litres each time. Over the course of a day, that can add up to more than 28 litres of clean water down the drain. By simply keeping a jug of chilled water in the fridge, you’ll always have cold water ready without the waste. It’s a simple switch that saves both time and money.

Have a shower instead of a bath
Baths can use up to 80 litres of water, whereas a short shower can use half that amount. However, power showers still use around 17 litres per minute, so it’s worth setting a timer. Cutting just one minute off your daily shower could save as much as 119 litres of water per week.

“You can even collect the water while waiting for your shower to warm up and use it to water your plants,” Martin Smith comments, a small but effective way to make use of every drop.

Tea drinkers beware!
It might seem insignificant, but overfilling the kettle wastes water and energy with every use. For households that regularly boil more water than necessary, the savings from this simple change can be noticeable over time. By only boiling the amount you need for your tea or coffee, you’re not just conserving water; you’re also helping to lower your electricity bills.

Stop the drips!
A dripping tap may not look like much, but it can waste over 5,000 litres of water a year, enough to fill more than 60 bathtubs. Regularly check taps and fixtures around your home to ensure they’re tightly closed and leak-free. If you notice consistent dripping, repairing or replacing the washer can quickly solve the issue and stop unnecessary waste.

Fill the Dishwasher
Modern dishwashers are surprisingly water-efficient, often using less water than washing up by hand, provided they’re fully loaded. Running a dishwasher only when full could save up to 6,000 litres annually. However, pre-rinsing dishes under the tap before loading can undo much of this benefit, wasting approximately 1,000 litres of water a year. Simply scrape off food scraps instead.

Turn the taps off!
Leaving taps running while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your hands is one of the most common forms of water waste. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth could save 24 litres per day, while doing the same when washing hands can save 2 litres per wash. Encouraging all family members to adopt this habit can lead to big savings throughout the year.

Use a washing-up bowl
When washing dishes by hand, it’s easy to let the water run continuously, but this can waste around 6 litres every minute. Instead, fill a washing-up bowl to wash and another smaller one to rinse. This not only conserves water but also reduces your use of washing-up liquid, helping to cut household costs further.

Ditch the hose
A garden hose can use a staggering 500 litres of water in just 30 minutes, making it one of the biggest culprits for domestic water waste. Switching to a watering can gives you greater control over how much water you’re using and allows for more targeted watering, keeping plants hydrated without overdoing it.

Wash wisely
Washing machines account for a significant portion of household water use. Opting for the eco mode, using shorter wash cycles, and ensuring each load is full can dramatically reduce your consumption. For smaller loads, consider waiting until you can fill the machine, or use settings designed for half-loads to avoid unnecessary waste.

Switch to a water meter

Finally, Martin Smith recommends installing a water meter if you don’t already have one.

“A water meter helps households track how much they’re using and encourages more mindful consumption. By making you aware of your real usage, meters can help you identify wasteful habits, often leading to both lower bills and a smaller environmental footprint.”

As the cost of living continues to rise, taking small but consistent steps to reduce water use can make a meaningful difference. With households facing some of the biggest water bill increases in decades, now is the time to take action, for the sake of both your wallet and the planet.