A recent study has found that millions of Brits are facing a “flush” problem, as their leaky toilets waste a staggering 2.8 billion litres of water every day. The survey, conducted among 2,000 UK adults, revealed that a quarter of respondents currently have a form of leak in their toilets. The leaks occur when damaged valves allow water to drip down either inside the bowl or down the overflow tube, instead of onto the floor.
Surprisingly, four percent of those with leaky toilets were completely unaware of the issue until participating in the survey, which implies that many households may have hidden leaks without realizing it. On average, homeowners with a leaky toilet have been aware of the problem for about six months. Interestingly, more than half of the respondents admitted that they wouldn’t think about a water leak if it wasn’t causing a visible mess.
Considering that each leaking toilet valve wastes between 200 and 400 litres of water per day, and with nearly 28 million households in the UK, it is estimated that up to seven million homes could be unknowingly wasting 2.8 billion litres of drinkable water daily. Alarmingly, approximately half of these households are on water meters and pay for the amount of water they use, leading 44 percent of Brits to believe that their water bills are too high.
To exacerbate the situation, the research also revealed that more than four in 10 adults have dripping taps in their homes, with 19 percent reporting it as a constant issue. In response to these concerns, British Gas offers a leak detector as part of its Hive range of smart home products. This device sends an alert to homeowners’ smartphones as soon as any abnormal water usage is detected, allowing them to address the issue promptly.
A spokesperson for British Gas highlighted the importance of addressing hidden leaks, stating, “While we pay attention to visible leaks that cause immediate physical problems, we tend to overlook hidden leaks that can still cost us a significant amount of money over time and waste valuable resources.”
In addition to leaks, everyday habits and behaviors also contribute to water wastage. The UK government has set ambitious targets for leakage reduction in households through the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat). However, the study found that a quarter of respondents admitted to using the washing machine when it’s only half full, while 15 percent do the same with the dishwasher. Furthermore, nearly a third of respondents leave the tap running while brushing their teeth, and 20 percent fill the sink with water to wash only a small amount of dishes.
These habits may explain why 39 percent of respondents admitted to having an “I’ll start tomorrow” attitude when it comes to reducing their energy and water consumption. British Gas emphasizes the need to address this issue and highlights the effectiveness of their Hive Leak Sensor in reducing hidden background flows and leaks. The company’s analysis showed a 76 percent reduction in such flows within the first year of installing the Hive Leak Sensor, demonstrating the device’s role in detecting and addressing leaks while raising awareness of water consumption.
For more information on the Hive Leak Sensor, visit: https://www.hivehome.com/shop/hive-leak
Sam Allcock is the CEO of PR FIRE – PR & Content Marketing Platform
Talks about #pr, #blogs, #marketing, #socialmedia, and #pressrelease
Writes for The Dial in his own time.
