Whilst some may only think of saving water in the warmer months, it is integral to conserve water in colder weather too. On average, we use around 140 litres of water per day, each! And when the weather starts to cool down, we increase the amount of hot water we consume in the home to keep warm. In 2012, the Department of Energy concluded that,
"heating water is the second-largest source of energy use in the home (next to heating our homes)".
The amount of water consumed by humans is detrimental to wildlife and our wetland habitats. In Hertfordshire, much of the water sources which feed wildlife are at risk from lowered groundwater levels due to abstraction and climate change.
Hertfordshire cares for 10% of the world's chalk streams, which create fantastic habitats for wildlife due to their mineral-rich and clean flows. Rivers and chalk streams in Hertfordshire are under pressure to supply our homes with water, leaving low flows which cause numerous problems for the habitats and wildlife existing there. The springs that feed water into our rivers depend on the same aquifer used to supply water to our homes and businesses. When too much is pumped to supply public needs, our rivers suffer and start to dry out.
60% of our tap water comes from the aquifer that feeds our chalk streams. The other 40% is pumped directly out of them. Every drop we use at home or work is one drop less in our rivers.
