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Although we often bemoan the Irish Climate, where rain is generally fairly plentiful all year round, fresh water is not an infinite resource, indeed it is said that usable fresh water accounts for 0. 30 % of total water resources on our planet (most of our water 97% is saline or seawater which is not suitable for drinking). As our population increases so does the pressure on our fresh water supplies, this can result in increases amounts of water being extracted from our vegetables - instead of letting the tap run.

• Cold Drinking Water: Keep a jug of water in the fridge. Instead of letting the tap run for cold water, fill a jug of water and keep it in the fridge.
• Leaking Taps and Pipes: Leaking taps and pipes can cause problems in the home, so as soon as you find a leak fix it yourself or call a plumber to address the problem. Leaks are most common in worn tap fittings, toilet cisterns and radiator connections
• Hot Drinks: Fill the kettle with enough for your needs, not to the brim. You'll save money, electricity and conserve water.
• Preparing Food: Use a basin to rinse/clean your fruit and vegetables - instead of letting the tap run.
• Washing the Car: Use a bucket of water and a sponge, if you use a hose you will use 9 litres of water per minute.
• In the Garden : Lawns don't need to be hosed, if you use good mulch on your flowerbeds (try composting your kitchen and garden waste for the best home-made mulch and compost) this will significantly reduce the “need” for watering, if watering refrain from using a hose, use a traditional watering can!. Collect Rainwater in your garden for use as a source of watering flowers.
• Household Appliances: Use your Washing Machine and Dishwasher only when they are full. You'll save money, electricity and conserve water.
• Personal Hygiene: Don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth or shaving. A Shower can use less water than a bath (depending on the time spent in the shower).

Do you know how to turn off your water supply, both internally and externally?

Do you have the tool required to cut off water to your house in the case of an emergency? (If not its available in your local hardware store).

Knowing how to turn off the water in an emergency can save thousands of litres of water and expensive damage to your home in the event of a pipe burst.


All businesses must pay water charges to their local authority, therefore it is in the interest of business in general to reduce and control the amount of water being used.

• Manage Water Usage: Develop a water management plan for your factory or office, ensuring that all staff are aware of the need for water conservation
• New Equipment: When purchasing new machinery or equipment know which models conserve energy and water, where possible replace worn out or broken equipment with systems that use water efficiently.
• Cleaning: Water used in general cleaning can be as much as 10% of all water used in some work places. Devise measures to reduce the excessive need, do you need to wash floors or would sweeping / vacuuming suffice?
• Toilets: Many offices and factories have “automatic flushing cisterns, which operate through the night and on weekends when there are no employees present. These can be replaced by modern flushing systems which “operate as required”, Business could consider turning off all unnecessary cisterns when not required.
• Fittings: Many modern fittings tend to assist in the effort to conserve water, for example by using “tap aerators”, the usage from the tap can be halved.
• Reporting a Leak: Ensure that a reporting procedure for leakage and water losses in the workplace is in operation, and that action is taken on any reports of wastage or leakage is acted upon.
• Cooling : Many industrial processes use water as a coolant, can the water be contained in a closed system, and reused rather than left to run off to the storm drain or sewer?
• Canteen: Turn off any unnecessary flows and equipment when not in use, ensure water pressures and flows are set at minimum required settings, and boilers etc are set to cut off when not in use.
• Reward Conservation: Consider rewarding employees who come up with water conservation suggestions.

Report mains leaks or damage caused to the mains to Kildare County Council, their numbers are as follows:
Waterworks Office (Office Hours) 045 431364
Seven day emergency service (outside office hours) 1890 50 03 33

For more Information:
Taptips: http://www.taptips.ie A very informative site, from which much of the information here was obtained, there are lots more facts and suggestions on their website.

Race against Waste: www.raceagainstwaste.ie

Enfo (The Environmental Information Service) www.enfo.ie