Water drought

The summer is turning out to be beautifully warm following the washouts of the last few years but in its own way, this gorgeous weather is bringing home a growing problem with water supplies. If you were peeking out from under your umbrella in the height of 'summer' over recent years, you could have been forgiven for wondering why it is so important to conserve water in our seemingly rain-soaked land. Despite the UK's legendary capacity for the skies to open at inopportune moments, saving water is an issue we all need to be aware of.

There was an alarming story in the news this week about a water company in North West England hit by drought. The Independent reported that United Utilities in the North West of England had asked for permission to tap rivers and lakes in order to top up dwindling supplies in the regions driest year since 1929. More alarmingly, The Environment Agency was reported to predict that by the year 2050, many rivers could see their average summer flows cut by a massive 50 to 80%.

This means the water that we take for granted in our everyday lives is going to become more and more precious as the years roll by. Saving water can not only help the levels in the designated reservoirs, leaving rivers untapped, but also save the amount of electricity required to clean it then pump it to our homes in the first place.

One easy way to save water is to use a water butt in the garden, or on your patio, or even a mini butt on a city balcony. The rainwater collected can be used for 'grey water' household tasks - keeping the garden watered, washing the car, washing down the decking - anything, in fact, that isn't for direct human consumption. Water butts come in many shapes and sizes and simply harness the rain, and help to ease the strain on the local water system.