Water efficiency work

Promoting water efficiency is an important part of our overall strategy and efforts to ensure that customer demand and water supplies are in balance.

We have a range of measures to help customers use water efficiently as part of our water efficiency strategy, which was updated in 2009-10. Our programme includes:

• educational information on our website and various publications (including a new pack for schoolchildren, our leaflets and our customer magazine)
• distribution of free WaterSave and self audit packs
• promotion of water saving devices, eg, water butts
• promotion of the benefits of saving water for our commercial customers
• activities within our own buildings, sites and pipes, eg, treatment process optimisation, leakage management and reducing water wastage in offices.

Work during 2009-10 included:

Home water audits

The new water audit service for customers on the meter tariff trial has continued successfully this year. The audit service comprises a home visit by one of our auditors.

The auditors check pipes and taps for leaks and offer advice on water efficient behaviour in the home.

Customers are also offered free water saving devices such as Save-a-Flushes, tap inserts and shower timers.

We received excellent feedback from customers who had received the audit and as a result we have now opened up the service to more metered customers.

School packs

Last year we launched a new Waterwatch education pack for Key Stage 2 school pupils.

This pack is used by our education advisers in the classroom and contains materials to take home to spread the water efficiency message to the whole household.

This pack includes:

• a water use self check sheet
• a booklet containing facts
• water saving tips and games
• a set of stickers and bookmarks displaying water efficiency messages.

So far more than 7,500 packs have been distributed to schools.

Meter tariff trial

We began a three-year study in 2008 to test the impact of three innovative metering tariffs. Using smart meters provides information on customers’ consumption and affordability.

The trial results will help identify the best type of tariff to use for metering.

We believe metering on change of ownership is the fairest way of extending metering. This will help meet water efficiency targets, reduce leakage from customer pipes and protect low income households.