"Water is easy to take for granted"
England and Wales may be known for rainfall, but many places do not have enough water.
Let’s Save Water, a campaign to help everyone use less water through simple everyday changes at home and at work, was launched in 2026.
The challenge is bigger than many people realise. Climate change is bringing drier summers and heavier winter rainfall, making it harder for rivers and reservoirs to refill naturally.
As a result, in many areas we are using water faster than nature can replace it.
The average person in England uses almost 140 litres of water every day, often without thinking about it. Yet if nothing changes, England could face a daily water shortfall of five billion litres by 2055.
The water industry is investing billions to upgrade the network – from fixing leaks to upgrading infrastructure.
But everyone needs to help reduce the amount of water they use.
For many South Asian families, conversations about using resources carefully are nothing new. Growing up, many people were taught not to waste food, to look after the things they owned and to think carefully about what was needed.
Resourcefulness wasn’t a lifestyle trend. It was simply how we lived.
Many British South Asians also remain closely connected to countries where water shortages, extreme heat and flooding are already affecting daily life.
Stories of drought in one region and devastating floods in another can feel closer to home when relatives, friends and communities are experiencing them first-hand.
Let’s Save Water isn’t asking communities to start caring about water. Many already do. The opportunity is to turn that awareness into simple habits that make a measurable difference.
Because while the challenge is significant, so is the collective impact of small actions.
Cutting a shower short by just two minutes can save around 28 litres of water. Fixing a leaking toilet can save hundreds of litres every day. Across millions of households, those changes add up quickly.
Navjot Sawhney, founder of The Washing Machine Project, said:
“Water is easy to take for granted until you see how much time and effort it can take to access and use it.
“At The Washing Machine Project, we work with communities to make an everyday task like laundry less demanding and more sustainable.
“Saving water is one of those issues where small actions can have a surprisingly big impact.”
“When practical solutions fit naturally into daily life, people are much more likely to embrace them and make them part of lasting change.”
Top Tips to Save Water
- Cut two minutes off your shower and save around 28 litres a day.
- Use a washing-up bowl instead of a running tap.
- Fix a leaking toilet, which could save up to 400 litres a day.
- Use eco mode on your dishwasher and washing machine.
Search ‘Let’s Save Water’ or visit letssavewater.com to discover simple ways to save water every day.
