Saving water is always a good idea as it’s great for the environment and for your budget too. Wasting water is exactly that – waste – so we should try to avoid it in whatever way we can.

The following tips provide some advice on the best ways to help save water at home, though you may also be able to think of other ways too:

1. Use water tanks

The one fairly obvious way to save water is to actually save it up. Tanks let you do just that, and there are different kinds of water storage tanks you can install for different purposes.

The first kind of water tank to consider, which is suitable for all purposes, is a simple clear water tank. This means water captured from rainfall is diverted by guttering into storage tanks, and this water can be used for showering, laundry, and even cooking. It is generally recommended to add a small amount of chlorine to the full water tank to inhibit bacterial growth, with the exact amount required depending on the size of the tank.

The larger the tank you have, the more you can store, and the less dependent you will be on mains water. By eliminating the need to use mains water in your household, you can save a lot of money.

Rainwater in some areas can be affected by pollutants, so it can be a good idea to install a quality water filtration system. If a filtration system is installed then this water may also be suitable for drinking.

Another type of water tank you can install is called a “grey water” tank. This tank has water diverted from your drains (shower, sink, tub, washing machine). However, the water stored in this tank is not suitable for normal household use, except perhaps for flushing the toilet. Grey water, as it is called, is typically used for gardening, cleaning concrete, etc. It should be filtered first to prevent pollutants from detergent from affecting your plants.

It’s usually recommended to have a three stage filtration system, with the first stage being coarse filtering which removes any solids from the water and diverts them to sewerage or a septic tank if you have one. Grey water then passes through a sand filter with reeds, before being treated by UV disinfection in the final step where it passes to the grey water storage tank, awaiting use.

2. Eliminate leaks

Leaking pipes or taps lead to a lot of wasted water, and potentially high water bills as well. You can avoid the problems this causes by regularly checking for signs of leakage and making sure the leaks are replaced. Whatever it may cost to replace an old worn pipe, it is nothing compared to what will happen if the pipe bursts and floods your home.

Your water meter can be a guide to indicate if you have a leak. Simply check the meter, don’t use any water for a few hours, and then check the meter again. If there has been even the slightest change, it indicates you have a leak somewhere.

3. Install water-saving shower heads

Showering uses quite a lot of water, and one of the best ways to ensure most of the water isn’t getting wasted is to install water saving shower heads.

The thing to watch, though, is that you don’t overdo it. If the water flow provided is too low, you’ll not only have an unpleasant shower but you’ll also have to shower for longer.

4. Avoid running taps while you’re working

Preparing vegetables, rinsing dishes, shaving, brushing teeth… these are all activities where people typically turn on the tap and leave it running for the entire duration of the activity, when really it’s not necessary. Turning off the tap until you need to use it is a really easy way to save water.

5. Use mulch on your outdoor plants

Mulch helps slow the rate of evaporation, which means you won’t need to water your plants as often. In fact, if you use mulch, it then becomes a bad idea to water your garden too much.

These tips for saving water in your home don’t require heavy investment or a lot of thought. They are simple ways you can save water, helping protect the environment and also keeping your water bills lower.