South West Water is urging customers to check their toilets for hidden leaks as the region enters a critical phase of an exceptionally prolonged drought.
While recent rainfall is welcome, it has not been enough to remove the pressure on water supplies. With rivers still recovering and some reservoir storage at critical level, saving water wherever possible is more important than ever.
Leaking toilets can waste up to 400 litres of water a day, often without customers realising. A faulty toilet can allow clean drinking water to continuously flow into the toilet pan, wasting precious water and potentially increasing household water bills.
South West Water is aiming to help customers fix 750 leaking toilets and is offering free home water audits to eligible customers supplied by Wimbleball Reservoir, including those in Exeter, Exmouth, Crediton, Sidmouth, Tiverton and surrounding areas across Mid and parts of East Devon, as well as a small part of Dorset, including Lyme Regis.
Since April, the company has supported customers in getting 375 leaking toilets repaired, potentially saving up to one million litres of water every week.
During a home audit, water efficiency specialists can identify hidden water waste, provide tailored advice, install water-saving devices and repair leaking toilets and dripping taps where possible.
South West Water is also working to protect the region’s water supplies by fixing hundreds of leaks a day across its network, alongside strengthening infrastructure, improving reservoirs and treatment works, developing new water resources and helping customers use water more efficiently.
Megan Williams, Water Efficiency Delivery Manager for South West Water, said:
“We’re facing a critical water resources situation, and while we’re doing everything we can to protect supplies, we all have a part to play in making the water we have last longer.
“Leaking toilets can waste hundreds of litres of water every day, often without anyone noticing. Checking for leaks and getting them fixed is a simple step that can make a real difference, helping to protect water supplies and even saving customers money on their water bills if on a meter.
“We’re encouraging eligible customers to take advantage of our free home water audits, where our specialists can help identify leaks and provide practical advice on saving water.”
South West Water has recently applied for a Non-Essential Use Ban drought order to help protect supplies for customers served by Wimbleball Reservoir, following the area’s move into Severe Drought status, alongside West Cornwall and other parts of Devon, as announced by the Environment Agency last week.
While free home water audits are available to eligible customers in the Wimbleball area, everyone across the region can take steps to reduce water waste at home.
For more information on checking for toilet leaks, fixing common problems and finding out whether you are eligible for a free home water audit, visit our Leaky Loo page.
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