UK Home Owners Urged To Cut Water Usage For August World Water Week

Online, August 8, 2012 (Newswire.com) - UK homeowners use up to 40% more water a day (150 litres per capita1) than their European neighbours with Belgium (1072), Denmark (1172), Spain (1182) and Germany (1212) all outperforming us.

But why does it matter?

Despite the summer downpours, national and international water reserves continue to run low which is why the UK's residents are being asked to calculate their water footprint online to encourage considered water usage to mark World Water Week 26 - 31 August 2012.

With the top three uses of domestic water in the UK being personal washing (33%), flushing the toilet (30%) and clothes washing (13%)3, white goods manufacturer Servis is urging households to "take the test" and become a considered water user.

"We know it seems ludicrous given the awful summer the UK has had, but water is not an endless supply and with World Water Week fast approaching, we're hoping consumers will stop and think before turning on the tap," says Servis Category Manager, Simon Hedges.

"While changing to water efficient appliances like our HydroDrive washing machines can save an extra 15% more water per wash compared to a standard A rated machine, other small steps include taking showers instead of baths, washing on a full rather than half load, not over filling the kettle and investing in a water butt to capture and reuse rainwater in the garden."

World Water Week is an annual global meeting that has taken place in Stockholm for over two decades. Each year, the Stockholm International Water Institute work to resolve world water issues and the impact they have on the environment, our health, climate and economy.

A key tool utilised throughout the year is the water footprint calculator that determines a household's annual water usage. By using the calculator, homeowners can uncover how much water is used when they wash their car, water their plants, take a bath and even brush their teeth.

Simon added: "The World Water Week footprint calculator is incredibly easy to use and in minutes tells you just how much water you are using. The national average per person is around 150 litres per day so anything over is excessive."

For more information on the new water and energy efficient HydroDrive range, visit www.servis.co.uk