World Water Week 2026 runs from 23 to 27 August, and this year the theme, “Water for People and Progress”, feels especially close to home. More than 71% of England is currently in drought after the driest July on record, with hosepipe bans in place for over 27 million people.
Despite this, awareness hasn’t quite caught up. Only 1 in 10 people see water consumption as a key environmental issue, even though most of us say we value access to clean water. UK water use has nearly doubled over the past 50 years, to 143 litres a day per person, well above the government’s 110-litre target.
The good news is that the bathroom, where most household water is used, is also where the easiest wins are. Here are five water-saving tips from British bathroom brand VADO’s Jordan Cook, Head of Product Management (Brassware):
1. Rethink the flush
Older single-flush toilets can use vastly more water per flush than they need to. Changing to a dual-flush cistern, gives you a 6-litre and 3-litre option as standard, adjustable down to 4 litres and 2.6 litres. Once it’s fitted, the saving happens automatically, flush after flush, without you having to think about it. Multiply that saving across every flush, every day, and it adds up fast.
2. Fit a water-efficient shower
Showers already use less water than baths, a typical bath takes around 80 litres, compared to roughly 60 litres for an average shower, but there’s still room to save. Cutting just one minute off your shower can save around 10 litres of water. To take it a step further, fit a water-efficient showerhead. Flow-regulation technology, optimises water flow rather than simply restricting it, so you keep the performance without the waste. Showerheads can also be regulated to specific flow rates, so you can dial in exactly how much water you use.
3. Choose the right tap
A lot of water gets wasted waiting for the tap to run hot, especially at the basin. Many water-saving products rely on a flow limiter that restricts water flow regardless of your water pressure, which can mean compromised performance. Cold-start technology takes a different approach. It has an increased cold-water area on the lever, so you consciously choose when to use hot water by actively turning into it. That means simple tasks that don’t need hot water, like brushing your teeth, don’t unnecessarily engage your boiler or heat water you don’t need, saving on hot water wastage, helping prolong your boiler’s lifespan, and saving you money in the process. Recent collections like Cameo and Safari come flow-regulated as standard, making it even easier to save water without changing your routine
4. Fix the drips
It’s the simplest tip on this list and still one of the most effective. A single dripping tap can waste up to 5,500 litres of water a year. If yours has been dripping for a while, this is the week to finally sort it.
5. Think long-term when you renovate
The most sustainable choices are the ones that last. Choosing well-made, durable fittings means fewer replacements, less waste and less water lost to failing parts over time. It’s worth checking the guarantee before you buy. For more information, visit VADO’s Every Drop Matters campaign.
