Households encouraged to save water this festive season
Posted: 18 December 2025
South Staffs Water is reminding households to be mindful of their water use during the busy festive season.
Although the region is no longer officially in drought, this year’s prolonged spells of hot weather highlight the need to remain vigilant of our water use.
As people come together and celebrations get underway, water consumption traditionally increases with extra cooking, cleaning, and entertaining. But simple steps can help reduce waste, lower bills, and protect supplies during the colder months.
Across your home
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Check for leaks, and repair dripping taps before guests arrive
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Install pipe lagging on pipelines in unheated areas to protect them from freezing and bursting
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If you have an outside tap, pop a cover over it to protect it from the cold weather
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Defrost food in the fridge rather than running under the tap
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Run the dishwasher and washing machine on full loads
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Avoid running the tap to rinse dirty plates – scrape food waste into the bin (TIP – This also helps stop fats, oils and grease potentially clogging up your pipes too!)
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Boiling vegetables? Use the vegetable water to make your gravy, or wait for it to cool and use it to water your plants
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Time showers to the length of a festive song to keep them short and sweet
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Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth
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Hear water trickling from your loo when it hasn’t been flushed? That’s often the sound of a leak. Get it fixed quickly to save water and avoid waste – get your free leaky loo detector from GetWaterFit.
Saving water is not only about reducing household costs but also about supporting the wider environment. Conserving our water supply helps ensure resilience during winter and contributes to long‑term sustainability. By making small changes, households can celebrate responsibly this festive season while protecting this vital resource.
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