Down the Plug Hole

DOWN THE PLUGHOLE Water resources are an essential part of our everyday lives in the UK, allowing us to eat, drink and wash in a safe and convenient way. 52% of public water supply in England and Wales is used for household purposes. On average each person directly used around 150 litres of water every day. However, this figure incredibly jumps to over 3,400 litres when water used in manufacturing and supply chains are also taken into account. ............................................................. .............................. UK HOUSEHOLDS VS WATER USED Household sizes . :.... n Cubic metres 134 101 164 per year 54 191 Litres used per day 149 276 367 450 523 HOW WATER IS USED IN THE HOME Flushing toilet O Washing clothes 30% 13% Other ..**** 4% Drinking 8% 21% ****** 12% Washing up Running baths Having showerS Outdoors Run tap for 1 minute Running a bath Washing clothes 5 minute shower Using the dishwasher 6 litres 80 litres 45 litres 50-100 litres 12-20 litres * Average figures REDUCING WATER USE The energy used to heat water in UK homes generates 35 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year. This is over 5% of the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions. The government would like to reduce personal water usage from 149 litres to 130 litres per person per day by 2030. A water meter can reduce household water consumption by around 10%, but only 30% of households in England have one installed. New technological developments may allow personal water usage to be lowered to 120 litres per person per day by 2030, and some plans for new housing would lower this to just 80 litres per person per day. These sustainable homes would have: Baths Sink Taps 1 litre less per minute 120 litres Washing Machines Water .. reuse system 9 litres less per cycle collects rain water from roofs and water butts MEASURING UP TO EUROPE The UK has a fairly average level of water consumption compared to the rest of Europe, placing 10th out of 22 listed countries. The country known to consume the mostwater per person per day is Romania with 294 litres, while the country with the lowest level of water consumption is Estonia with 100 litres used per person per day. REGIONAL WATER Every year, around 18 billion tonnes of water are taken from the three main water sources in England: reservoirs, rivers and underground aquifers. In some areas of England water consumption has reached unsustainable levels and has caused them to be classified as under serious water stress. This means there's sometimes a strain on water resources and water shortages have resulted in limitations being set on water usage. 1. Anglian Water 12. South Staffordshire Water 2. Bournemouth andWest Hampshire Water 13. South West Water 3. Bristol Water 14. Southern Water 4. Cambridge Water 15. Sutton and East Surrey Water 5. Essex and Suffolk Water 16. Tendring Hundred Water 6. Folkestone and Dover Water 17. Thames Water 7. Mid Kent Water 18. Three Valleys Water 8. Northumbrian Water 19. United Utilities 9. Porstmouth Water 20. Wessex Water 10. Severn Trent Water 21. Yorkshire Water 11. South East Water 22. Anglian Water (formerly Hartlepool Water) Serious Moderate Low 21 Not assessed 16 ............ 20 14 A methodology has been developed by the Environment Agency which allows relative levels of water stress to be identified and classified in water company areas across England. This map is used by the government when designating serious water stress areas, with accelerating water metering in mind. Pressures on water resources may also increase due to population growth and changes in household size. If carbon emissions continue to be released at a high rate, South East summer precipitation will decrease by: 50% by 2080 This would put significant stress on water resources and lead to further shortages. HARD WATER vs SOFT WATER The hardness or softness of water in various regions of the UK differs greatly. depending on the geology of the local area. Rain water is soft water, but when it falls on the ground it picks up minerals through rocks, which affects softness. If there are high levels of calcium and magnesium in the area, it can become hard water. Hard water can reduce the efficiency of appliances, cause scaling in kettles and irons, and leaving tide marks on sinks, baths and toilets. It can also leave foam on the surface of hot drinks. There are no health guidelines for the hardness of drinking water. but the World Health Organisation advises that water should not be artificially softened below 150mg of calcium carbonate per litre. This is because there may be a link between the presence of minerals and improved cardiovascular health. Bottled water tends to be moderately hard water as it will appear brighter and clearer. SOURCES https:/www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment data/File/69346/pb13562-future-water-080204.pdf http:/www.cowater.orguk/savewaterandmoney/averagewateruse http://www.cambridge-water.co.uk/customers/how-much-water-do-you-use http://wwwwaterwise.org.uk/data/resources/25/Water_factsheet 2012.pdf http://dwidefragov.uk/consumers/advice-leaflets/hardness.pdf courtesy of www.waterpressureproblems.com @creative commons Levels of water stress ( Source: Environment Agency. 2007) Romania ujedo Ireland Italy Sweden je8nzuad Hungary Finland France United Kingdom Luxembourg Slovenia Germany Austria Denmark Poland Netherlands Bulgaria Slov akia un8ag Czech Republic Estonia