A third of UK women leave the shower running while shaving their legs. According to a new survey, around 50billion litres of water a year is wasted this way, enough to supply London for 25 days. Almost one in four people polled by Thames Water leave the tap running when brushing their teeth.
Despite the revealing figures, 90% of 1,800 people said that they would feel guilty about wasting water. Thames Water, which serves London and the Thames Valley, has set up an online water-efficient town called Waterwisely, to promote water-saving.
Richard Aylard, director of sustainability for Thames Water, said: “Our research proves the majority of people have a ‘water conscience’, with more than 90% of people saying they would feel guilty about wasting water. We now need to help our customers use even less of it, which is why we have created something a bit different, rather than trotting out the same old water-saving tips.”