Shorter showers suggested to save water
South West WaterSouth West Water is urging customers to make small adjustments to their daily routines to help save water.
The utility has issued a hosepipe ban across Devon, Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Dorset and Somerset to help deal with the prolonged dry weather.
It has now advised customers to turn taps off while brushing their teeth, keeping showers to four minutes and watering plants with a watering can first thing to help further.
Water efficiency manager Megan Williams said it was "important we all work together to be more water aware and build more resilience whatever the weather".
She added: "Climate change is showing us that weather patterns are going to be less predictable and put more pressure on our resources due to longer periods of warm, dry weather.
"Customers can help us protect the region's water supplies by saving water in small, easy ways without disturbing their daily routines."
According to the water company, leaving the tap running while brushing your teeth for two minutes could waste 20 litres of water a time.
It also noted a standard shower head would use about 12 litres per minute and advised users to stick to four minutes per wash.
'Fill up a jug'
Customers have also been encouraged to "check for any dripping taps or leaky loos" and "ensure dishwashers and washing machines only run with full loads" to cut down on cycles.
"Use a watering can to water plants in the morning or the evening to prevent evaporation during afternoon sun," was another suggestion from the company.
"You can also use unsalted cooking water, or old water from a pet bowl, to water plants."
It added: "Fill up a jug of water and keep it in the fridge, this way you can stay hydrated all day without running taps longer than needed whilst waiting for cold water.
"By placing a jug under the tap until it runs cold, or under the shower until it runs hot, you can also save water to use for watering plants."
In August, customers told South West Water it needed to find and fix leaks faster, with one leak, now repaired, resulting in water "running down the road for weeks" in a Devon town.
Councils in Devon and Cornwall have also passed votes of no confidence in the company, arguing it has failed to manage sewage systems.
