Water

We are dedicated to keeping our water systems safe and clean, meeting all legal requirements. Our proactive approach includes regular checks and monitoring by expert water hygiene contractors.

Key measures

Regular risk assessments

• We routinely assess Legionella risk in properties with shared hot and cold water systems, like Retirement Living Schemes.
• Our Property Services team conduct simplified risk assessments for all domestic properties.
• We continuously test and inspect communal water systems to ensure they stay clean and safe.

Vacant properties

• Before re-letting any property, we replace showerheads and hoses and thoroughly flush the entire water system.

Staff training

• Our staff are trained to understand and manage Legionella risks, staying alert in their duties.

These steps help us create a safe and healthy environment for all residents.

Simple steps can keep your home's water supply clean and safe. Here are four key actions:

1. Keep your hot water hot - Warning: beware of scalding from hot water
2. Keep your cold water cold
3. Keep your water circulated
4. Keep shower heads and taps clean and free of scale

Report issues

• Let us know if your boiler or hot water cylinder isn't working properly. Hot water should reach at least 50°C at the tap within 1 minute.
• Stored hot water should be set to 60°C for at least one hour a day. Do not change your boiler or hot water system settings.
• Contact us if your cold water is warmer than 20°C after 2 minutes of flushing.
• Report any persistent debris or discoloration in your hot or cold water.

Report a repair

• If you rarely use your shower, run it on the hottest setting for at least 2 minutes once a week.
• It's best to remove the shower head from the hose to reduce water droplets in the air. If not possible, cover the shower head with a plastic bag, fill it with water, and pour it away slowly.
• Clean and descale shower heads every three months, or more often if needed, using a store-bought cleaner.

• If your home is vacant for more than a week, flush all taps, showers, and outlets thoroughly.
• Open taps slightly and run them slowly for 1 minute, then fully open and run for 4 more minutes. Be careful not to overflow sinks or basins.
• Flush toilets twice with the lid down before use.

• Run water from rarely used outlets, like garden taps, secondary toilets or bathrooms, for at least 1 minute weekly.

Baths and showers use the most water in a household.

Showers:

• A short shower with an efficient shower head can use less water than a bath.
• The average shower uses 12 litres of water per minute, so timing is important.
• Aim for a 4-minute shower. Try timing your showers to see how long you usually take.

Baths

• Try reducing the bath water level by a few inches to save around 10 litres of water.

Toilets use a lot of water in the home.

Dual-flush toilets:

• Dual-flush toilets have two buttons and can save nearly 10 litres of water per flush compared to older toilets.
• One button uses less water for liquid waste, and the other uses more water for solid waste. Make sure you know which button to press.

Single-flush toilets:

• For single-button toilets, you can add a cistern displacement device to reduce the amount of water used per flush.

Leaking toilets

• A leaking toilet can waste nearly 200 litres of water a day! If you notice a leak, report it for repair immediately.

Report a repair

Dishwashers:

• Using a fully loaded dishwasher on eco mode can save more water than washing by hand.
• However, 50% of people don't use the eco mode. Make sure to use it for the best water and energy savings.
• Always run the dishwasher when it's full and choose the most efficient setting.

Washing dishes by hand:

• Use a bowl or plug the sink to cut water waste by 50%.
• If you run the tap until the water is hot, catch the cold water in a jug or bottle to use elsewhere.

Washing machines:

• When buying a new washing machine, look for one that uses less than 8 litres of water per kilogram of laundry.
• Always run full loads and use the correct settings to save water.

Grass watering:

• Watering the grass uses the most water in the garden. A hose and sprinkler can use up to 1000 litres of water an hour.
• Check the weather before watering. If rain is expected, let nature do the job.

Using a watering can:

• Use a watering can instead of a hose to save water and ensure all plants get the right amount.
• Consider installing a water butt in the garden to collect rainwater.

Best time to water:

• If you need to use a hose, water the grass early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce water loss due to evaporation.

Save Water, Save Money:

• Save Water Save Money offers a range of products to help reduce water use and save money, some of which are free!