Water Saving Week
Water Saving Week
Water Saving Week is taking place for the seventh year across the British Isles from 15-19 May 2023 driven by the not-for-profit organisation Waterwise UK. This year the campaign looks at both saving money and saving nature by making small changes that combined, could have a big impact on our environment.
For consumers, Using Water Wisely has never been more important. Taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and not leaving the tap running while brushing your teeth are all simple steps that can help to save water and money. Waterwise UK highlights that 17% of an energy bill and 12% of a typical gas-heated household’s energy bill is generated by heating water for showers, baths, and general washing. This means that by using less hot water we can save money on our energy bill too.
Of course Manx Utilities also needs to do its bit and is successfully addressing leakage on the network via a dedicated team who undertake daily network surveillance for early detection and then repair teams who attend to leaks and bursts. As a result, the Island’s leakage levels are continuing to reduce. Despite the challenging landscape of the Island with its many hills and valleys, Manx Utilities has the objective to match or better the levels of leakage that are reported by water companies in England and Wales. The utility is also continuing to improve its supply infrastructure through a mains replacement programme, the introduction of water pressure management (which helps to reduce burst frequency as well as leakage), and engaging in public awareness for the reduction in demand side consumption.
Last year Manx Utilities implemented a hosepipe ban on the Island to protect raw water stocks which were reducing significantly due to consumer demand reaching an all-time high during a hot summer. Implementing the hosepipe ban last year reduced demand by around 18% which in turn allowed Manx Utilities to maintain compensation flows from Sulby and West Baldwin thereby helping to maintain the health of the rivers and their aquatic environments.
Addressing both supply and demand side consumption is essential in advance of any further major system investment. The largest reservoir on the Island at Sulby was completed in 1982 and was designed to support a population of 100,000 residents, however, water consumption today is considerably higher than it was then and stands at around 375 litres per person per day with a daily average water production rate of 30 Mega litres per day. Hypothetically, saving 5 Mega litres a day by changing consumption behaviours and continuing to improve the supply system would equate to just a 17% reduction on a per person basis and provide water for 16,000 more people to live and work here without any expansion of current infrastructure.
Looking forward, Manx Utilities will be publishing an Interim Water Resources Plan for the Island in June this year as part of its commitment to its objectives under the Island Plan. The plan will outline actions taken to date and plans for the future to support essential water provision and preservation.
More information and tips for smarter water use can be found at www.manxutilities.com.