Over 95 per cent of Westmeath people have no idea how much water they use, despite using on average over 150 litres a day, according to a recent survey.
Research conducted by bathroom provider Ideal Standard last month, following World Water Day 2010, found that people in Westmeath unwittingly waste excessive amounts of water doing everyday tasks, especially in the bathroom.
Some 60 per cent of those surveyed use in excess of 156 litres on showering, brushing their teeth, and flushing the toilet alone.
Not surprisingly, showering accounts for the largest volumes of water used in the bathroom. Some 75 per cent of respondents take 10 minutes or longer in the shower each day, with 75 per cent letting the water run for 1-2 minutes before getting in. If we take into account the fact that showers use a minimum of nine litres of water per minute, then 60 per cent of respondents who shower on a regular basis (3-5 time per week ) use at least 108 litres of water on showering alone.
Ideal Standard is urging people in Westmeath to consider how much water they use each day and find easy ways to conserve this vital and precious resource in the bathroom. This can be achieved by making simple changes to the bathroom routine or by swapping guzzling taps, baths, or toilets for more water-friendly alternatives.
An easy and cost-free way to reduce personal water consumption is by turning the tap off when brushing teeth. The majority of Westmeath people brush their teeth 2-3 times daily, as recommended, for an average of 2-3 minutes per brushing. Some 60 per cent leave the tap running, wasting six litres of water per minute or 24 litres per day. By turning the tap off when brushing this can be reduced to just two litres per day.
Fitting flow regulators to taps can also cut down on unnecessary water usage and Ideal Standard offers a range of mixer tap regulators designed to give a maximum flow rate of five, four, or two litres per minute.
Households can reduce the amount of water they use by replacing old toilets with water-efficient dual-flush toilets, which use only six litres for a full flush and four litres with a reduced flush.
