Affinity Water has seen demand for free water saving devices skyrocket this week by 5,000% in just 12 hours following the company’s warning that its central region is in drought.
The water company said while many people had been surprised by the drought warning due to this week’s wet weather, a good week of wet weather is not enough to make up for nearly three years of below average rainfall.
In response, Affinity has seen a surge in orders by consumers for free water saving devices and to get big discounts on water butts to make the most of the recent rainfall. The utility had over 3,000 orders for water saving devices in just 12 hours following its drought announcement this week.
According to Affinity Water, its central region needs sustained above average rainfall for this autumn and winter for groundwater levels to recover, otherwise water restrictions (such as hosepipe bans) may need to be introduced in spring 2020.
On average 158 litres of water each per day are used across its central region, whilst the national average is 141 litres.
Affinity Water’s Director of Communications, Jake Rigg said:
“We would like to thank customers for really getting behind us to help save water. It shows great community spirit and will help us leave more water in the environment.
“We are doing our bit too by investing in our networks to replace water mains, finding more leaks by using data and the latest tech and have increased our team of engineers to fix leaks as fast as possible.”
Free water saving devices on offer include:
- Flowpoint Shower Head – saves over 10,000 litres a year (not suitable for electric, digital or power showers)
- Shower Regulators for use with an existing shower head – saving over 10,000 litres a year (not suitable for electric, digital or power showers)
- ‘Save a Flush’ - can save 1.2 litres per flush, saving up to 5,000 litres a year. This is simply placed into the cistern on any lever handled toilets
- Shower and Toothy timers which save up to 6,000 litres a year.
- Install a Tap Insert which could save over 13,000 litres a year.
** Affinity Water’s central region, where drought conditions are in place, include Hertfordshire, West Essex and parts of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and North London.
***Available to Affinity Water customers only. Other consumers should check with their water supplier for offers. Savings are estimated and may vary depending on the number of people in a household.
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