This winter has been one of the driest since records began in 1883.

Over a billion humans and countless animals in the world are without a supply of clean water and hundreds of thousands of both die as a consequence. Yet we in the UK waste it like ......isn’t there a saying - something like waste it like water?

The average person in the UK washes away 1050 litres of water each week with the average family totaling 5000 litres. On average, over 16% of this is lost through leaks. It takes 27 litres of water to make a plate of French fries and 10 litres of water to make a newspaper. A single washing machine cycle uses up to 100 litres; consider, for a minute, how many times you use your machine in one week. An average bath uses 80 litres and an average shower between 30 and 50 litres. Garden sprinklers use 300 - 650 litres of water an hour.

In England alone, 26 sites which have been designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest are being adversely affected by depleted water supply and 200 more are in danger. Thousands of other sites not regarded as so important are being similarly affected with all that implies for wildlife.

Always use your washing machine with a full load: use the eco settings. Take quick showers instead of baths.When installing a new toilet make sure it has a dual flush; you can also have your bath water recycled through your cistern with some straightforward plumbing work: ask your plumber or contact the Centre of Alternative Technology for advice: www.cat.org.uk Tel: 01654 702 400
In the meantime, you can reduce water consumption by placing a brick or hippo in your cistern. In a year this could save 3000 litres of water. Visit www.hippo-the-watersaver.co.uk or Tel: 01989 766 667

Think about what you flush away: sanitary towels, razor blades, syringes, matches, cotton buds, etc., cause an estimated three-quarters of blockages in water pipes: in 2002 75% of debris on English beaches consisted of the plastic sticks from cotton buds. Put rubbish in the bin.

Avoid using garden sprinklers: a sprinkler ban comes into effect in this area on 22 April - use a watering can instead. Choose native plants which don’t use enormous amounts of water: www.plantlife.org.uk Tel: 0207 808 0100

Install a water butt to catch rainwater: Sutton and East Surrey Water Co. are offering water butts on a 60 day free trial - at the end of which £29.95 is payable or you make the butt available for collection. Every customer gets a free hose gun. To order call 0870 849 4853. Use a beaker or mug when cleaning your teeth - don’t leave the tap running

KIDS: To find out how you can make sure your school is saving water visit www.eco-schools.org.uk