Rising energy bills are encouraging us to save energy but the need to make efficient use of water is equally important. You might not be able to judge the value of water by its cost but it is fundamental for food, health, industry and wildlife and we shouldn't take it for granted.

We all waste water but we are becoming more and more aware of how we can make small changes to our habits to help save water, not by going without but by cutting out waste and unnecessary use.

Here are some of our ideas for using water wisely...

...in the home

A running tap uses about 6 litres a minute

• Don't leave the tap running when brushing your teeth.
• Use a bowl for washing vegetables and dishes and pour any left over water onto houseplants.
• Put a jug or bottle of tap water in the fridge so that you have cold water available whenever you want it without having to run the tap first.

Dishwashers and washing machines

A common misconception is that washing up by hand always uses less water than a dishwasher. New energy efficient dishwashers are also water efficient, and if you wait until you have a full load it can often use less water than washing by hand. If you do wash by hand, save dishes to wash in one go and rinse them off in a bowl and not under running water.

If your washing machine or dishwasher is coming to the end of its life, there are lots of water-efficient options that you could look at. To help you, |Waterwise (an independent organisation dedicated to reducing water wastage) has ranked all new UK dishwashers and washing machines according to water efficiency. These rankings are updated in July each year.

Water meters

A water meter measures the amount of water you use. This means you only pay for what you use (in addition to the fixed charge) so it is seen as the fairest way to pay for water. If you are not on a metered supply, you will be charged based on the size of your property. So, if you are one person, or a small family, in a large house, you would probably save money if you switch to a meter. On the other hand, if you are a large family in a small house, you might end up spending more money if you switch to a meter.

All homes built since 1991 have had a water meter installed as standard and all water companies have the power to install a meter when a customer changes address but there are still lots of properties which are unmetered. Currently, only 28% of homes in England and Wales have meters. Research shows that metered homes use about 10% less water than non-metered homes and the government has recently consulted on proposals to introduce a programme of compulsory metering in the South East.

If you decide to switch to a water meter, your water company will install a water meter free of charge where practical and in most cases you will be given the option to revert back to a non-metered supply if you give notice within 12 months of installation.

For further information, |contact your water company.

...in the garden

For most of the year, water used outside accounts for very little of the total amount used by domestic customers. But during the summer months we can use up to half of all our water in the garden. Conserving water in the garden doesn't mean wilting plants. Again, it's the little things that can make a big difference.

Here are our tips for a flourishing waterwise garden:

Watering your garden

• If you haven't got one yet, get a water butt. And if you've already got one, why not get another one? Plants love rainwater even more than tap water and a standard water butt can collect 500 litres of it a year!
• A typical garden sprinkler can use up to 1000 litres of water an hour - the same amount that a family of 4 uses in a whole day! And much of this water is wasted. When the water is thrown high into the air, some of it evaporates before your plants get a chance to drink it!
• Make sure that you do your weeding - weeds leave less water for your flowers and vegetables.
• Avoid watering plants little and often as this will encourage shallow rooting - occasional but thorough watering will make plants more resilient to periods of drought and remember to water plants early in the morning or evening when less water will evaporate. Not only will you save water and money, your plants will thank you for it too!
• Water retaining gel for pots and hanging baskets considerably reduces the need to water. The gel absorbs up to 400 times its own weight in water and releases it throughout the season so your flowers never go thirsty.
• Mulch, mulch, mulch - Use gravels, barks, manures, straw, tree leaves or grass cuttings to prevent water from evaporating.
• Leave the lawn alone. Lawns can survive without water if the grass is not cut too short. If the grass turns brown during a dry period it will recover really quickly after a little rain.

Drought-resistant plants

• Look out for drought-resistant plants - The |Royal Horticultural Society has a list of plants that thrive in dry conditions and suggestions on equipment and techniques for maintaining your thirst-free garden.
• Herbs often prefer dry soil and are generally more aromatic as a result especially rosemary, sage and thyme.
• There are also plenty of vegetables which an cope with little water. Try parsnips, beetroot, onions, carrots and asparagus. For more detailed information on watering vegetables.