March 22nd is World Water Day. Waterwise in the UK has teamed up with UK water companies – including Jersey Water – Hippo the Watersaver, and Save-a-Flush to encourage people in the UK to reflect on the value of their tap water and make a difference to those abroad who lack access to clean water.
Parts of England are currently suffering from the worst drought in several decades. But at the same time, one third of the water that we use in our homes is literally flushed down the toilet every day.
Fortunately, according to a 2010 survey carried out by the Consumer Council for Water, 76% of us are taking action to reduce our water consumption. However, more can be done, especially around toilet flushing. (Some toilets in the UK still use 13 litres per flush).
Worldwide there are 783 million people who live without access to safe water. Preventable diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation are the biggest killer of children in Africa, and illness and hours spent collecting water from distant sources keep children out of school and prevent adults from earning a living.
This World Water Day, Jersey Water is advising customers that they may request a free ‘cistern displacement device’ to reduce the amount of drinkable water flushed down toilets. (These devices are suitable for traditional larger capacity toilet cisterns which provide adequate space for them to be fitted).
For each ‘hippo’ requested, a donation will be made by Jersey Water to WaterAid to support their ongoing efforts to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities.
To request a free cistern displacement device before 4th April call into the Jersey Water offices at Mulcaster House, Westmount Road, St. Helier, Jersey, JE4 9PN.
For every device requested, this campaign will make a donation to WaterAid. These donations can really make a difference, as for every £15 donated, WaterAid can supply a lasting supply of clean water and sanitation.
A cistern displacement device will save a family of four 20 litres every day – that’s twice the amount of water the average person in the developing world uses every day for drinking, washing and cooking.
This World Water Day, Jersey Water is asking islanders to both save litres of water at home and support WaterAid’s work to bring clean water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest communities.
Jacob Tompkins Managing Director, Waterwise, commented:
“Many parts of England are currently in drought. In periods like this we are reminded that our access to safe water shouldn’t be taken for granted. World Water Day is an important time for us to not just think about water, but to take steps to use less – and raise vital funds to help people in the developing world gain access to this basic necessity”.
Dave Hillyard, Head of Major Partnerships, WaterAid, also said:
“World Water Day is a reminder that too many people around the world still face each day without the basic necessities of clean water and adequate sanitation. The money raised by this scheme will help WaterAid save lives and transform communities, helping them take the first, essential steps out of poverty”.
Howard Snowden, Managing Director of Jersey Water, added:
“World Water Day reminds us of how precious the necessity of water is to our everyday needs. Living on an Island this is especially important to us and we must continue to use water wisely”.
Notes to Editors
Waterwise is an independent, not for profit, non-governmental organisation focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK and building the evidence base for large scale water efficiency. We are the leading authority on water efficiency in the UK. For more information about Waterwise and water saving tips, please visit www.waterwise.co.uk
WaterAid’s vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. The international organisation works in 27 countries across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Pacific region to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in some of the world’s poorest communities. Over the past 30 years, WaterAid has reached 15.9 million people with safe water and, since 2004, 11 million people with sanitation. For more information, visit www.wateraid.org, follow @wateraid on Twitter or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wateraid
This campaign is made possible thanks to the efforts of the Saving Water Advocacy Network (SWAN) a broad coalition of water companies, NGOs, and government agencies that have joined up to raise the profile of water efficiency in the UK. These companies are Dee Valley Water, Jersey Water, Scottish Water, Sembcorp Bournemouth Water, South East Water, South Staffs Water, Southern Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Thames Water, and Veolia Water. With support from CC Water, Defra, Environment Agency, Ofwat, and Water UK.
The savings quoted from the cistern displacement device installation assume the following: one 9-litre toilet in the home, used by four people, each using it five times a day – that equates to 180 litres flushed per day. Both Save-a-Flush and Hippo 7 save one litre per flush, which works out to savings of 20 litres per day.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Howard Snowden
Managing Director
T: 707301