Islanders urged to make small changes to save water

Thursday, 5 June 2025 08:00

Fix your 'leaky loos', embrace dusty cars, ignore your brown lawns, and turn that tap off!

Jersey Water is issuing advice following the warmest and third driest spring on record.

According to the utility company, there is no need to sound the alarm bells just yet, but reservoir levels are lower than expected at this time of year.

Mark Bowden, Head of Water Resilience, says we need to be cautious.

"Through the course of the spring, it has been so exceptionally dry.

"The stream levels we see going into our reservoirs and catchment stations around the island, the stream levels are particularly low for the time of year that we're at.

"It's a bit like having a bank balance. It's quite healthy at the moment, but we're spending more than is coming in."

There are small changes islanders can make to ensure we do not meet the same fate as our UK counterparts in the northwest of England, who are currently suffering a drought and have had a hosepipe ban imposed.

Mark told Channel 103 that embracing dusty cars and brown lawns could help more than people think.

"Avoid using a hosepipe because hosepipes use a huge amount of water compared to, say, a watering can.

"We can make sure our dishwashers and washing machines are full before we run a cycle.

"If you've got any niggling little leaks around the house, dripping taps or leaky loos, please, please get them fixed.

"Taking a slightly shorter shower, or stop leaving the tap running when you're brushing your teeth, it's these small changes that will make an overall difference to us."