About the author: My name is Sophie Layton, and I’m an MA International Public & Political Communication and BSc Biology graduate from the University of Sheffield. I am currently the Managing Editor of WILD Magazine, Editor of Ed Fringe Review, and Newsletter Editor for the Essex International Jamboree, as well as former Arts & Theatre Editor of Forge Press. I am also the Digital Media Officer for the Student Publication Association. I am a keen thespian with the Sheffield University Theatre Company, with interests in culture, LGBTQ+ issues and political science.
Spring is here, and summer will follow, meaning we’re all about to be using a lot more water. Here’s how to save water as a student and make the most of every drop!
Water is one of our most fundamentally important resources. From manufacturing and ecosystem survival to sanitation and our own nourishment, water is the most essential resource we rely on. With research by Water UK predicting that we each use approximately 142 litres of water per day, and the impact of global warming increasing water stress, saving as much as we can is essential.
So, as students have to pay for water, what can you do to contribute? Here’s our top tips!
One thing that students are fantastic at doing is letting their washing pile up. Whether it’s a crockery mountain by the sink (and in the living room, the bedrooms, the hallway and occasionally the bathroom), or Primark’s stockroom building up by the washing machine, we are the world champions of not doing the washing. This is much to the chagrin of that one poor housemate who always takes responsibility.
But when conserving water, this may be a benefit in disguise. Putting on full loads is a great way to save water. If you’re lucky enough to have a dishwasher, make sure it is always full before putting it on – never wash a single item in the dishwasher! If you wash things by hand, that sink full of water can wash five plates or fifty, so do as much as you can all together. Remember to load the washing machine as much as is advised every time, and you’ll make the water and your cleaning products go that much further.
“But what if I don’t have a full load and need to wash things?” There’s a way around that…
Have a half-full dishwasher? Can you get a couple more pieces in the washing machine? Well, channel your inner High School Musical and work together with your friends! Combine loads with each other to help get the machines as full as possible before using them.
Many students struggle to get a full load of whites themselves, so why not put everyone’s quarter machine load together to get a full one? We all wear clothes, they all need washing, and it’s all just different-shaped pieces of cotton and polyester – there’s no harm in putting your stuff in with your friends’. And think of the team bonding separating them all at the end (British University Musical, anyone?).
One of the most basic ways to save water as a student is to ensure that all your taps, showers, and other outlets are fully turned off after every use. This may sound basic, but it can save more than you think! If a tap drips just 1ml of water every minute, that’s almost half a litre overnight. Multiply that by the number of taps in your house, then the number of taps in the street, and you’ve got a lot of wastage!
A simple, few-second check after turning them off could save a lot more water (and money) than you might think. Also, keep the taps off when you’re not using them; you don’t need to run the tap whilst brushing your teeth or scrubbing the dishes. Plus, if you notice a leak, report it to your landlord immediately.
Sometimes, we like to have luxuries. Maybe we’re lucky enough to have a bath in our house, enjoy a spot of gardening, or have brought our car to university. If this applies to you, make the water go further! Why not use your old bathwater on the plants? Leave the hose in the garden, and wash the car with a bucket and sponge. Small, simple swaps can often be the key to using water effectively. Ultimately, this comes down to…
Whenever you use water, it helps to be actively aware that you’re using it. It seems a silly thing to say, but it can save not only on water, but also on energy. If you’re making a single cup of tea, there’s no need to fill the kettle to the top!
Similarly, when putting on a pan of water to boil, only put in enough water to cover what you need. Not only will you save water, but also save energy, the environment, and often time in the process.
We know you don’t want to hear this one, but it’s time to face up to it: short showers can help you significantly save water as a student (and reduce household arguments about bathroom-hogging). Put your favourite song on and use it as a reference point – if the song has finished, so should you!
The only tip that saves water that you will never see, one of the best things we as students can do right now to stop wasting water, is to stop using AI. Whilst these services can summarise your reading and get that last-minute assignment done, what’s the cost? AI data centres can consume a staggering amount of water.
Stick to old-school research methods to sharpen your academic skills, add the personality of human-created content, and save on millions of gallons of water. Encourage others to do the same, and you may have more of an impact than you think.
As we approach summer, your water bill will likely start to rise as you begin to use water. But follow these tips, and it might shave off a few pennies here and there.
Don’t forget to sign up for Split the Bills to minimise the hassle when it comes to paying the bills. Split The Bills keeps all your utilities in one place and splits payments equally between housemates – meaning zero hassle!
For more water guides, explore how often you pay for water and how to set up your water bill.
The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the Split The Bills Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Split The Bills. Split The Bills accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.
Spring is here, and summer will follow, meaning we’re all about to be using a lot more water. Here’s how to save water as a student and make the most of every drop!
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If you’re the housemate that seems to always take care of everything, the burden can soon add up, and it can start to feel like your home life is another full time job. Fear not – we’re here to help you share the load, getting more people to pitch in with chores and freeing your time up to do more important things, like watching TV, mindlessly scrolling on your phone or having a well-earned nap.