South West Water is offering free water-saving devices to customers as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce water demand, cut household costs and strengthen long-term water resilience across the region.
The initiative forms part of the company’s Come Rain or Shine campaign, which encourages year-round water efficiency following the hottest summer on record in the UK. While recent rainfall has helped improve storage levels, South West Water says continued water-saving behaviour remains essential.
The company notes that reducing water use can help reservoirs recharge more quickly ahead of future dry periods, while also lowering energy bills for households and water bills for customers on metered tariffs.
Range of water-saving devices available
Customers can apply for a selection of free water-saving devices designed to help identify leaks and reduce unnecessary water use, including:
- Buffaloo cistern bags – designed to reduce the volume of water used per flush without affecting toilet performance, potentially saving a family of four close to £100 a year.
- LeakyLoo detection strips – biodegradable strips that identify hidden toilet leaks, which can otherwise waste thousands of litres of water annually.
- Four-minute shower timers – encouraging shorter showers, with each minute saved potentially reducing annual household costs.
- Shower flow regulators – limiting water flow to seven litres per minute to reduce hot water consumption.
Efficiency and climate resilience
Kim Williams, Head of Water Resources and Water Efficiency at South West Water, said customer action plays a vital role in adapting to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
“Recent rainfall and our interventions across the region have helped to see our storage levels improve following the hot summer, and we’re grateful to customers who continue to take simple steps to reduce their water use,” she said.
“Climate change is showing us that weather patterns are becoming less predictable, placing greater pressure on water resources. That’s why it’s so important we work together to build resilience whatever the weather.”
Leakage reduction remains a priority
South West Water reported repairing more than 16,100 leaks last year, reducing leakage by over 10 million litres per day. The company also highlighted that around 30% of water loss in the region comes from customer-owned pipework, and says it is working with households to identify and repair these leaks.
Further information about the Come Rain or Shine campaign and how to order free water-saving devices is available on the South West Water website.
