Households trying to cut back water in 2025 – but overlooking simple savings

• New research shows almost two thirds (64%) of households surveyed in the Thames Water network area are trying to cut back on water usage to save money and help the environment.
• More than three quarters (78%) are aware that it is possible for the UK to face a water shortage in the next 25 years, Thames Water survey finds.   
• Thames Water is sharing its top water-saving tips that can help save money and preserve a precious resource.
• The South East of England gets less annual average rainfall than Sydney, Rome and Lisbon. 

After the driest spring since 1956, and the cost-of-living crisis continuing to bite, research released today by Thames Water reveals that almost two thirds (64%) of households in the Thames Water network area surveyed are trying to cut back on their current level of water usage.

Nearly half (45%) of those who have cut water use said their main motivation was to save money, while a third (36%) said helping the environment was their core reason. 

According to the Environment Agency, the UK may struggle to meet demand for water in 25 years and more than three quarters (78%) of the 2,000 households surveyed by Thames Water said that they were aware of it being possible for the UK to face a water shortage in that timeframe. 

Thames Water is highlighting some simple steps that can be taken to save households money and to help the environment. 

Thames Water’s free water saving calculator on its website can help households work out how much water and energy they are using and receive tailored advice on how to save more. 

Andrew Tucker, Water Demand Reduction Manager at Thames Water, said: “The South East of England gets less annual average rainfall than Sydney, Rome and Lisbon and is feeling the impact of climate change and extreme weather events. The UK faces a shortage of water in 25 years and whilst people are aware, behavioural change isn’t coming through yet as our latest data shows. Being water efficient is very easy, it’s the simple things that make a difference.” 

Take shorter showers 

Thames Water’s new research showed the average person spends about eight minutes in the shower, when asked by the survey. Shaving two minutes off your shower time can save £73 on water and energy bills a year and around 20 litres of water per person every day.  20 litres is enough to fill two buckets. 

Turn off the taps 

Over a third (42%) of people are still saying they keep the tap running whilst they brush their teeth. A running basin tap can use six litres of water a minute and by turning off the tap even ten seconds sooner, you can save over half a litre. 

Fix leaky loos 

From a trickle, ripple or full flow, leaky loos on average waste 200-400 litres a day.  That’s around a family’s total daily water use.  It can add hundreds to your yearly bill if not fixed. 

Reduce your washes 

Doing two less weekly washes can save you £46 on your water and energy bills. 

Collect rainwater with a water butt 

The survey found only 27% of households in England in the Thames Water network area use a water butt, but it’s a great way to save water. 

Thames Water is the UK's largest water and wastewater services company, serving 16 million customers across London and the Thames Valley.