Jersey Water is encouraging Islanders to take part in Water Night on Thursday 23 October, joining households and communities across the British Isles in a nationwide campaign to highlight how precious water is.
Organised by UK water efficiency experts Waterwise, Water Night asks people to take part in a symbolic ‘water pause’ by turning off taps between 17:00 and 22:00. The idea is that by stopping to think about our water use, we become more aware of where we might be wasting it and how we can make small changes every day to reduce wastage.
On Thursday night, Fort Regent, Mont Orgueil Castle and St Helier Town Hall will be lit up in blue to mark the occasion along with other iconic buildings across the British Isles to mark to show national support for the campaign.
Mark Bowden, Head of Water Resilience and Emergency Planning at Jersey Water, said:
“Water Night is about starting a conversation. We know not everyone can switch off the taps between 17:00 and 22:00, families with young children, for example, still need to use water at those times. The real message is about being conscious of how we use this precious resource. Whether it’s shorter showers, fixing a dripping tap, or waiting until the dishwasher is full, every action makes a difference.”
Reservoir levels are currently at just 57% after one of the driest springs on record, a long hot summer and below-average rainfall this autumn. With more water being used than nature is providing, reducing everyday use is vital to keep supplies secure and avoid restrictions.
Waterwise, who organise Water Night nationally, describe water as “a finite, precious resource that we must all protect.” By working together, communities can help reduce waste and ensure a sustainable supply for the future.
Some helpful water saving tips:
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth — it saves up to 6 litres every minute.
- Keep showers short — cutting from 7 minutes to 4, saves around 24 litres.
- Run full loads — dishwashers and washing machines use the same amount of water regardless of how full they are.
- Fix leaks quickly — a dripping tap can waste over 200 litres a day.
- Keep a jug of cool water in the fridge instead of running the tap for cold drinks.
- Hold off on the car wash — or use a bucket and sponge instead of a hose.
Islanders can also try the free GetWaterFit app on Jersey Water’s website to see how they use water at home and discover easy ways to save.
“Water Night is about sparking awareness and showing that small actions really do add up,” added Mark Bowden. “By coming together as a community, we can all help protect Jersey’s water supply for the future.”
