Hubbub teams with Affinity Water for water-saving campaign

UK’s environmental charity Hubbub has teamed with water supply company Affinity Water for an awareness campaign on the importance of water saving.

The campaign is in response to the dry weather in the South East region last year and a caution by the Environment Agency (EA) for a desperate need of above-average rainfall to replenish groundwater supplies this year.

The initiative is the second phase of the two organisations’ earlier launch of #Tapchat, a behaviour change campaign focused on hidden water use habits.

The new approach is the result of the study conducted by national polling, involving 40 households in Watford and Harlow areas, England.

As part of the project, the households were given a home consultation and a “Water-Saving Kit” filled with useful water saving items.

Meter readings were taken before and after the project to record the changes in usage.

As per the study, 50% of households reduced their daily water usage, which saved an average of 1632 litres per day in total and 89% households claimed to be more conscious about the water usage.

Hubbub founder and CEO Trewin Restorick said: “The research we carried out in the first phase concluded that there is a lack of awareness amongst consumers about where water comes from and what activities use the most water.

“The main cause of excessive water use is a lack of awareness, rather than a lack of willingness to change or do things differently and with support, the majority of people would be open to changing their behaviour to save water.”

The water-saving campaign, which is the second phase of the #Tapchat, aims to create a consumer network that handles water saving activities homes and encourage others to change their behaviour in key communities in the Affinity Water region.

The campaign targets specific groups of high water users including gardeners, mums with young children and youngsters.

Affinity Water Asset Strategy director Mike Pocock said: “With our water resources at low levels, we are continuing to ask our customers to help by saving water, which can make a real difference.

“This is why we keep our water saving activities going year-round to remind people that water is a precious resource and our work with Hubbub, making people think about the way they use water has produced some great results.”

In addition to the campaign, Affinity Water has taken necessary measures for saving water, which includes partnering with other water companies and the Environment Agency, resting groundwater sources, enhanced investment in network, regular meeting of Drought Management Group (DMG).