Housebuilder promotes water-saving homes during awareness week

Residents in Devon are being encouraged to reduce their water use as Water Saving Week gets underway.

Barratt Homes, which is currently building at Hampton Mill and Okement Park in Okehampton, is supporting the campaign by highlighting features in its new homes that it says can help households cut their water consumption.

The national awareness week, running from 12–16 May, is backed by the organisation Waterwise and aims to promote more sustainable water habits. According to Waterwise, people in the UK use on average more than 150 litres of water per day – the equivalent of over 55,000 litres per person annually.

Andrea Pilgrim, sales director for Barratt Homes, said: “New build homes are designed to meet modern standards of sustainability and water efficiency is a major part of that. Features like dual-flush toilets, aerated taps and efficient dishwashers aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for your monthly bills too.”

The company claims that its energy-efficient homes can reduce daily water use to around 110 litres per person, compared to the 150-litre average in older properties.

To coincide with Water Saving Week, Barratt Homes has shared five tips to help reduce usage: taking shorter showers, switching to eco-wash settings on machines, only boiling the amount of water needed in the kettle, using rainwater to water the garden, and skipping pre-rinses before using the dishwasher.

The housebuilder says these small changes can help address the UK’s increasing water demand, which it says has risen by over five billion litres per day since the 1960s.

Ms Pilgrim added: “Water Saving Week is a brilliant reminder that we all have a role to play. Whether you’re living in a new build or a period property, these little actions quickly add up. We’re proud to help lead the way with homes that are better for the planet and our buyers.”

Water Saving Week is coordinated by Waterwise, a UK-based organisation focused on reducing water waste and promoting sustainable use.