Northumbrian Water takes the lead on the water resources debate

15/05/2007

Northumbrian Water’s subsidiary Essex & Suffolk will tomorrow, Wednesday 16th May host a seminar on “Water for Living- How much is Enough”. 

Sir Derek Wanless, Chairman of Northumbrian Water,  Ian Pearson, MP, Minister of State (Climate Change and the Environment) and Regina Finn, Chief Executive of OFWAT Water will be among those stakeholders debating this issue.

The “Water for Living” conference aims to create a platform to debate a number of issues including the impact of green living on water usage, the outlook for water resources and climate change. 

Northumbrian Water Group is in a unique position, as it operates in both a water scarce area, Essex and Suffolk and a water abundant area, the North East.

There is enormous pressure on the UK public to lead a healthier lifestyle, for example by having your own organic garden, increasing home cooking (less microwave meals), exercising more (and thus showering more) and rinsing out cans for recycling. 

All of these actually increase individual water usage, but at the same time we are being told to cut our consumption by 35%. 

We currently use around 150 litres per person per day, but by using more efficient washing machines, dishwashers, toilets etc, this could be decreased.

SO HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
Climate change is reducing water resources around the world and the summer drought in the South-East last year was a result of two dry winters and a lack of rain.  This year, groundwater and reservoir levels are higher, yet we cannot afford to be complacent.

Water is a necessity that we cannot do without, but unless we are more careful to conserve water we risk reducing long-term water reserves for the future. Water usage in the UK increases by 1% each year; meanwhile in recent years rainfall levels in the South have been at all time lows. Water can be taken for granted; likewise the huge impact some simple water saving measures can have is not fully appreciated.

For further information please contact:

Alistair Baker, Northumbrian Water Group   07711 793 493
Chelsea Hayes / Polly Fergusson, Pelham Public Relations 020 7743 6675/020 7743 6362

Notes to Editors

Water use in the home – how to save one third of the water you use every day.

It is possible to reduce your water consumption by 1/3 by doing the following:

Washing clothes - use a new washing machine on the eco setting – 35L per load rather than 80L per load for an old machine manufactured before 1991 

Showering – use a water efficient aerated showerhead – 8L per minute rather than 14L per minute

Toilet flushing – buy a new water efficient toilet which uses 4L per flush rather than 8L per flush (if manufactured between 1991 and 2001)

Garden watering - use a water butt.

Washing up – use a new water efficient dishwasher on the eco setting which uses 10L per cycle on the eco setting rather than 25L if using a dishwasher manufactured before 2000.

Put a flow restrictor on your kitchen tap.