Your community:

How we are saving water

		Contents of this page
		Leakage control
		Metering
		We can help you save water and the environment

Leakage control

• Our leakage rate is lower than the national average with 14% coming from our network and a further 5% from customers underground pipe-work. All water distribution systems which include many thousands of kilometres of pipework, are unavoidably subject to loss through minor leaks and seepage. This rate of leakage is below the level at which it is economical to find and repair them
• Our new water efficiency strategy, means we aim to repair any significant leaks within 2 working days of it being reported to us.
• We schedule the renewal, refurbishment or relining of old mains before they cause problems. Each year we refurbish over 10 kilometres of existing mains.
• Leaks from customers' own pipes on their premises account for 24% of the total network leakage. We have a special repair service for your supply pipes
• The good news is that water lost in leakage mostly returns to the underground or general environment

Metering

• Customers with a metered supply use between 10% and 15% less water than those who do not pay by volume of water used
• Metering reduces peak demand in the summer months. In 1989 when less than 1% of households were metered the peak consumption rose to 147% of the average, whereas in 1995, with 12.5% of households metered the peak consumption only rose to 130% of the average.
• We fit meters in all new properties and we offer an optional metering scheme for existing installations. Over 50% of our customers now have a water meter.

We can help you save water and the environment

Water meters

• Having your supply metered can save money on your water bill. Reducing water consumption will also help maintain the environment.
• Generally, we install water meters free of charge. If you would like more information, e-mail us on meters@cambridge-water.co.uk or call 01223 706050. Also, visit our water meter section.

Free leak detection service
We offer a free leak detection service to our domestic customers. This includes your underground service pipes. There is a charge for this service for commercial customers. For more information, visit our leak detection section.

Free Hippos and Hogs
A Hippo water saver is a blue plastic bag which reduces the volume of flush inside your lavatory cistern. The volume of many cisterns is at least 9 litres but they are still efficient if that volume is reduced to 7 litres. The Hog, or Water Saver, is a similar device which reduces the flush by about one litre. If you are in our supply area we will send you a Hippo or Water Saver free of charge. Simple installation instructions are included. We can send you a Hippo free of charge if you email us on quality@cambridge-water.co.uk or call 01223 706050.

Tap rewashering

• A dripping tap is not just annoying - it also wastes water and, if you are on a meter, affects the size of your water bill
• We will re-washer up to four standard taps for just £20 (£10 for pensioners). If your tap requires a ceramic disc, you will be charged the extra cost of the disc. Send your request using our on-line form or call our Dripping Tap Hotline on 01223 706050.

Rainwater butts
We encourage the use of water butts to collect rainwater for garden watering.

Water efficient gardening
We have sponsored a garden at the University Botanic Garden in Cambridge (visit garden). An area has been landscaped as a typical town house garden and laid out with drought resistant plants. Once established, the plants are not watered. It is easy to find valuable information on plants suitable for growing in this dry area of East Anglia by visiting our garden where you can also see the beautiful possibilities yourselves. The Garden is open to the public from (see visiting times) and is at Cory Lodge, Bateman Street, Cambridge, CB2 1JF Tel: +44 (0)1223 336265. email:enquiries@botanic.cam.ac.uk

Education
Our Water Quality Officer would be pleased to visit your school, group or society during the day or in the evening to give an informative, interesting and entertaining talk about the water supply. Contact us for further information at quality@cambridge-water.co.uk or call 01223 706050.