Reducing Water Use in the Home and Garden

Across the UK, changing rainfall patterns mean we can no longer take water for granted. Hosepipe bans have become a familiar summer sight, yet the average person in England and Wales still uses around 150 litres of water a day. The good news? Small changes at home and in the garden can cut that figure dramatically—and often improve your local neighbourhood at the same time.

Fix the leaks first

Before you invest in water butts or change your planting, tackle the hidden leaks that waste vast amounts of water. A single dripping tap can waste over 5,500 litres a year—enough to fill a small pond. A leaking toilet cistern is even worse, quietly losing up to 400 litres a day.

• Check your taps: A worn washer is usually the culprit. Turn off the water supply, unscrew the tap head and replace the washer—a job most people can do in ten minutes.
• Test your toilet: Put a few drops of food colouring in the cistern. If colour appears in the bowl without flushing, the flush valve or seal needs replacing.
• Inspect outdoor pipes: Look for damp patches on walls or unusually green grass. A burst pipe in the garden can waste hundreds of litres before you notice.

If you have a water meter, take a reading last thing at night and again first thing in the morning when no water is being used. Any change means a leak. Fixing it could save you money on your bill as well as helping the environment. If you live in a flat or rented home, report leaks to your landlord or building manager promptly. In many UK neighbourhoods, a shared repair is cheaper and faster than you might think.

Harvest rainwater for your garden

Your roof is a free water source. A 200-litre water butt connected to a downpipe can fill after just a few millimetres of rain. That soft, chlorine-free water is ideal for plants, and using it means less treated tap water goes on the flower beds.

• Install a diverter kit: These fit between your downpipe and the butt, directing water into the butt and automatically overflowing to the drain when full.
• Link several butts: Use a connector hose to join two or three butts together. You can store 600 litres or more without taking up much space.
• Keep it covered: A lid or fine mesh stops mosquitoes breeding and keeps out leaves. Empty and clean your butt each autumn.

A typical UK roof can collect tens of thousands of litres of rain each year. Even a modest 200-litre butt will fill dozens of times over, providing free water for pots, hanging baskets and newly planted shrubs. If you have space, consider a larger 1,000-litre tank—it can be hidden behind a shed or under a deck. Even a small balcony can host a slimline butt. In a terraced street, why not ask neighbours if they want to share a delivery or a group purchase? It’s a simple way to build community while saving water.

Choose drought-tolerant plants for a vibrant garden

UK summers are getting hotter and drier. Rather than fighting the climate, plant things that thrive in it. Drought-tolerant plants often have silver or grey leaves, deep roots, or fleshy stems that store water.

• Herbs: Lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano and sage all love sun and need little watering once established.
• Perennials: Sedum, echinacea, rudbeckia, hardy geraniums and ornamental grasses add colour and movement.
• Shrubs: Buddleia, cistus and ceanothus are tough and attractive to pollinators.

Group thirsty plants together so you can water them efficiently. Mulch generously with bark chips or compost—this alone can cut evaporation by up to 70%. Water deeply once a week rather than lightly every day; deep watering encourages roots to grow downwards. Also consider adding a rain garden—a shallow depression planted with moisture-loving species that captures runoff from downpipes and paths.

Smart watering habits indoors and out

Indoors, a few tweaks add up. A four-minute shower uses about 40 litres, whilst a bath can use 80. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth saves six litres a minute. Only run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.

Outdoors, forget the sprinkler. A hosepipe uses around 1,000 litres an hour—more than a family uses in a day. Instead, use a watering can filled from your water butt. Water early in the morning or late evening to reduce evaporation. For borders and veg patches, a soaker hose or drip irrigation delivers water straight to the roots with minimal waste. Use a broom rather than a hosepipe to clean paths and driveways. And when you do water, aim at the soil, not the leaves—wet foliage can encourage disease.

Greywater from your bath or shower can be used on ornamental plants (not edibles) if you use gentle, phosphate-free soap. Let it cool first, and don’t store it for more than a day.

Share the savings across your neighbourhood

Water saving is more fun together. Start a street challenge to see who can cut their usage the most—many water companies offer free leak detection kits and water-saving devices. Organise a community garden that uses only rainwater and drought-tolerant planting. Swap spare water butts, plants or mulch with neighbours.

You could also ask your local council about installing a public water refill point or a community rainwater harvesting system for allotments. Why not host a “water cafe” in your front garden? Neighbours bring a cuppa and share tips about what worked in their gardens. It’s a lovely way to build friendships whilst tackling a shared challenge. Small collective actions often lead to bigger changes, like pressure on developers to include water-efficient designs in new homes.

Reducing water use doesn’t mean a brown lawn or a dusty flower bed. With a few practical fixes, a water butt, and the right plants, your home and garden can stay healthy and vibrant—whilst you help protect your neighbourhood’s water supply for years to come.