Take shorter showers
Why?
It’s fair to say that we take fresh, clean water for granted here in the UK, after all it’s available on tap…literally! We don’t always appreciate that fresh water is a precious, scarce resource that we should cherish.
A combination of climate change, an increasing population, plus a massively increased demand for fresh water for domestic, industrial and agricultural use means that our supplies are dwindling fast.
Did you know that the average person in the UK uses around 142 litres of water per day, compared with 85 litres back in the 1960s? That’s a huge increase, putting a strain on our supplies.
If you look at the population of our catchment (161,268 in 2018 according to the Office for National Statistics) then we use 8,360 BILLION litres of water per year – taken from Eden’s reservoirs, river systems and underground aquifers.
Don’t forget that Haweswater also supplies drinking water to the good people of Greater Manchester as well!
It only takes a couple of dry spells (and we bet that some recent ones spring to mind) for there to be water shortages and newspaper headlines about hosepipe bans.
When reservoirs run low, water companies apply for licences to take water ( known as abstracting) from Eden’s rivers and lakes, reducing water levels. If river levels are already low, this can destroy habitat and put wildlife at peril.
We all must use water wisely to ensure that people and wildlife can continue to survive and thrive.
Showers are the 3rd largest users of water in the home.
By shaving 1 minute off your time under the shower you can save money on your heating and water bill.
The Energy Saving Trust reported that if everyone in a four-person metered household with a power shower did this for one shower a day, it could save £60 on energy bills and a further £60 on water bills every year. Just think what you could save if you took 2 or 3 minutes off your shower!
You have the power to reduce your shower!
Here are some tips to get you started:
You can do it
Here's how
Sing in the shower
Why not create a playlist to match your target minutes that you will spend under the showerhead?
Running on empty
Don’t leave your shower running before you get in! Try to keep it at your preferred temperature if you can, so you don’t have to adjust it each time to get it just right.
Don't be a drip
Fix any drips or leaks in your shower as soon as you can to stop water from being wasted.
Swap your shower head
… for an eco one. Aerating shower heads mix water with air, reducing the overall amount of water that's needed.
Other water-saving shower heads reduce the flow rate, 'pulsate' the water or include a flow regulator to the shower hose to save water.
They may not be suitable for your type of shower, so do your research first. Which’s eco shower heads guide is a good place to start.
Ice, ice baby
Channel your inner ice warrior and have a cold shower to boost your mind and body!
Check out the Wim Hof Method for some reasons why cold water is good for you!
Inspired?
Join the growing number of people who are making a promise to Act for Eden and make yours today to take shorter showers!
I promise to
Take shorter showers
and knock a couple of minutes off my shower time to save water
AND Eden’s rivers
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
The action that you’re taking as part of Act for Eden will not just make a difference in your local river and community, it will help transform the world!
This promise has been carefully chosen to meet one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These are a set of 17 goals set out by the United Nations to focus efforts around the world in order to “achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.” (UN SDG website)Although major actions are needed by governments, cities and local authorities, it starts with each and every one of us. By keeping your promise to Act for Eden, you are already living and working more sustainably - which is great news for our planet.
You‘ll also be part of a growing community of like-minded people who together, are leading by example and generating a force for change, able to push those in authority to make the transformations required.
All this just by knocking off a couple of minutes off your shower time - great isn't it?!
Who are Eden Rivers Trust?
We are an environmental charity based in the beautiful Eden Valley in Cumbria, England. We’re passionate about having healthy, natural rivers that are better places for people and wildlife. Find out more about how we’re rethinking rivers for good on our website.
