Drought

Droughts happen when there is a long stretch of time with little or no rainfall and can lead to a water shortage. Normally drought information is publicised through the media, usually by the water companies providing us with information on saving water.

Hosepipe bans

Hosepipe and sprinkler bans are normal in times of drought. You can normally still use watering cans for plants and buckets for car washing. In severe drought, bans can be extended to include pressure washers, swimming pools, hot tubs etc.

Saving water

The bathroom

• Nearly two-thirds of water used in the home is used for toilet flushing and bathing
• Fill the bath only halfway and save 10-15 gallons of water
• Take shorter showers and save 3-5 gallons of water a minute
• Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth, wash your hands or face. Taps use about 2-3 gallons of water per minute
• Throw rubbish in the bin – not down the toilet.
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily

The kitchen

• Make sure the dishwasher is full before use or wash dishes by hand to save even more water
• Ensure your washing machine is full before use, each load uses about 50 gallons of water
• Use a bowl of water to clean fruit and vegetables; re-use this water on your houseplants or in the garden
• Keep drinking water in the fridge for a cool glass of water
• Don't let the water run when doing the washing up

In the garden

• Re-use water from the shower – catch the water run before you get in the shower which isn’t contaminated with soap/shampoo etc
• Use bathwater to water trees, shrubs, and non-edible plants
• Use water from washing up
• Catch any rain which does fall.
• Water gardens, plants or lawns during early morning or in the evening when it is cooler. Up to 90% of the water used evaporates if gardens are watered during a hot day.

Flooding during a drought

The ground is harder and more compressed, so, during heavy rain, water runs straight off the land, into rivers and streams. These can then burst their banks and cause flooding in the normal fashion.