Dripping taps and leaks

A dripping tap can waste more than 2,000 litres of water a month. That's 24,000 litres a year!

• Turn taps off firmly, but avoid excessive force that may damage the tap washer and cause the tap to leak.

• Fix leaking taps: it may be as simple as changing a washer. Your hardware store can advise how to do this, or you can seek assistance from a plumber.

• Check for leaking pipes by reading your water meter before you go to bed, then again in the morning. If there has been no water use overnight, and the reading has changed, you may have a leaking pipe and should seek advice from a plumber.