90% unaware of daily water usage

AS the introduction of domestic water charges looms, a new survey has found nine out of 10 people have no idea how much water they use on a daily basis.

The survey, conducted on the back of World Water Day, shows we unwittingly waste excessive amounts of water doing everyday tasks, especially in the bathroom.

On average, we each consume in the region of 150 litres a day.

The research also found:

* Six in 10 people spend 10 minutes or longer in the shower each day and almost seven in 10 let the water run for one or two minutes before getting in. Based on a minimum use of nine litres per minute, more than half of us who shower on a daily basis use at least 108 litres of water per day showering alone.

* Four in 10 people flush the toilet between five and six times a day, using on average 40 litres of water. The average toilet uses eight litres per flush with old-style single flush toilets using as much as 13 litres.

* In many developing countries, water consumption is as low as 20 litres a day for the average person.

* The average bath takes 80 litres of water and taking a short shower instead of a bath can save 300 litres of water per person per week.

Gerard Walsh, managing director of Ideal Standard, the company that carried out the research, said although two thirds of people are interested in reducing the amount of water they use, “there is a distinct difference in the amount of water Irish people think they use and their actual consumption levels”.

“Water is a precious commodity and there are a number of simple steps that people can take to reduce their water usage, from reducing the amount of time spent showering, to reducing the flow from taps, or turning taps off when not in use and where possible, replacing old toilets with more water efficient alternatives,” Mr Walsh said.

An easy and cost free way to reduce personal water consumption is by turning the tap off when brushing teeth. Most (62%) leave the tap running, wasting six litres of water per minute, or 24 litres per day.

Fitting flow regulators to taps can also cut down on unnecessary water usage.

Water conservation will be high on the agenda from next year with Government plans to install water meters in every home for the purpose of introducing domestic water charges from 2011.

The project will be financed by local authorities.

Communities already paying for water supply, such as group water schemes, will not be made subject to the new charges.

Local authorities are likely to start charging for domestic water from 2011, but only where the use of water exceeds a particular allowance.

The 2010 World Water Day theme, held on March 22, was Clean Water for a Healthy World.