How to reduce your water bill

The cost of utilities can feel like its spiralling out of control. But utilities bills are one of the easiest areas we can save money. Making a few simple changes to your habits can have a big impact on your bill. This tips are especially useful if you are on a meter bill rather than direct debits. Check out this tips to cut your water bill.

1. Hand-wash rather than using a dishwasher. Using a bowl of water uses considerably less water that washing using a dishwasher. Consider (depending on the size of your family) washing up every other day (or every few days) so that the water goes further and washes up more. Plus hand washing saves on the electric bill as well.
2. Shower rather than bath. Showers are much more efficient, and the shorter the shower the more efficient, try to keep them less than 4 minutes. We alternate shower days with 'strip-wash' days which use even less water and completely avoid filling the bath. 
3. Use your washing machine when it is full. Be efficient with your washing, putting it on when the load is full rather than doing lots of little loads. I find that if I'm going to run out of anything it is underwear so I will often hand wash this if I have run out. If you find it hard to get a full load try using a colour catcher so you can put both dark and light clothing in the same wash
4. Car wash with a bucket. Using a bucket and sponge rather than a hose when car washing is a much more efficient way of using water. Using a hose can use unto 140 gallons when washing your car, using a bucket is a fraction of this amount. If you can't use a bucket try getting an automatic shut off nozzle as this can save up to 70 gallons per wash.
5. Collect rain water. Using a water but to collect water for use in the garden and for washing your car isa  grey way to reduce you bill as these are activities that do not required sanitised water. What you are really paying for in you water bill is the cost of purifying and distributing the water so why not use the free stuff when you can. 
6. Flush efficiently. People used to put bricks in to displace water and reduce the amount being used when fluxed however nowadays you can get bags filled with silicon gel that do the same job, these bags save about 30% of the water per flush. However, if you have a newer toilet with a dual flush function be sure to use it. Though a little gross the 'if its yellow let it mellow' rule works quite well at night time and again reduces the amount of flushes.