With the start of water charges in Ireland everybody is concerned about how it's going to affect their budget.

To reduce costs it is vital to save water where we can. Follow these ten tips to reduce your water consumption. Not only will this save you money, it's better for the environment too.

1. If your shower fills a bucket with 2.5 litres of water in less than 20 seconds you definitely need to change the shower head. 2.5 litres in 20 seconds equates to 7.5 litres a minute and that's above the average of 7 litres a minute for showers in Ireland. Reducing the water pressure may also be possible if your shower has a lever or tap for adjustment.

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2. Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.

3. Install a dual-flush system for your toilet cisterns.

4. Don't allow the tap to run when washing dishes or brushing teeth.

5. Turn off the hose while washing the car.

6. Install an undersink water heater sink so you donít have to turn on the immersion. An undersink water heater will cost a lot less to run than an immersion if you need hot water for dishes or handwashing.

7. When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.

8. Soak dishes instead of letting the water run while you scrub them clean.

9. Put food colouring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, thereís a leak. Fix it and start saving gallons.

10. Wait until you have a full load before running your dishwasher or washing machine.

For energy and water efficient plumbing and heating supplies, come to www.pdplumbingsupplies.com