South West Water urges checks for leaking toilets amid critical drought

South West Water is urging customers to check their toilets for hidden leaks as the region faces a critical phase of a prolonged drought.

While recent rainfall has provided some relief, it hasn't been sufficient to alleviate the pressure on water supplies. With rivers still recovering and reservoirs at critical levels, conserving water remains a crucial task.

Leaking toilets can waste up to 400 litres of water daily, often unnoticed. This continuous flow of clean water into the toilet pan not only wastes precious resources but can also increase household water bills.

To help tackle this issue, South West Water aims to fix 750 leaking toilets and is offering free home water audits to eligible customers supplied by Wimbleball Reservoir, covering areas such as Exeter, Exmouth, Crediton, Sidmouth, Tiverton, and others in Mid and parts of East Devon, as well as Lyme Regis in Dorset. So far, the company has assisted customers in repairing 375 leaking toilets, potentially saving up to one million litres weekly.

These audits, performed by water efficiency specialists, can uncover hidden water waste, provide tailored advice, install water-saving devices, and repair leaks where possible. Megan Williams, Water Efficiency Delivery Manager for South West Water, highlighted the importance, saying: "We’re facing a critical water resources situation, and while we’re doing everything we can to protect supplies, we all have a part to play in making the water we have last longer."

South West Water has applied for a Non-Essential Use Ban drought order due to the Severe Drought status announced by the Environment Agency for parts of Devon, West Cornwall, and the Wimbleball area. Free audits are available to eligible customers in affected areas, but everyone can take steps to reduce water waste.

For more details on identifying toilet leaks, resolving common issues, and checking eligibility for a free audit, visit HERE

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