Yvonne Orgill, MD at the Unified Water Label explains why there is need for a radical change in opinion on the value we all place on water and the need to use it wisely.
Lifestyle and behaviour changes during the COVID pandemic, as well as climate change have all contributed to increasing the pressure on our water supply, making it even more important that we all understand why using water wisely matters.
Across Europe most people take for granted the clean fresh water comes out of the tap but this is not the case for others in the rest of the world. We all have a responsibility to play our part, as there is a finite supply making water an international issue.
At our recent Water Matters conference, two international retailers, Globus from Germany and IKEA presented how they were investing, not just in innovation to develop new products but providing consumer information to help customers understand the importance of using water wisely. Both of these retailers are supporters of the Unified Water Label
The Unified Water Label is an easy to understand smart tool that can help consumers make an informed choice about the bathroom products they select for their homes.
Bathroom products are at the heart of water use in the home as over 60% of water used in the domestic environment is used in the bathroom, and 25% of energy used in the home is associated with heating hot water, with 18% of the UK carbon emissions emanating from the home. An approved plumber trained in the water regulations will be able to provide advice on these products and know how to install them correctly in your home.
Currently, the average household in the UK uses around 330 litres of water a day, that’s around 140 litres per head, every day. However recent surveys show that most households underestimate hugely how much water they think they use. We want to change this by helping people think about the value of water and giving them the choice to select innovative products that can help them use water, and energy, efficiently without any loss in performance. Selecting products that carry the Unified Water label also makes a positive contribution to climate change and a difference to those people around the world that don’t have guaranteed access to safe running water.
Our #dontforgettheplug marketing campaign is also addressing this message. Together the industry is helping consumers make the link between water, energy and carbon issues, understand more about how much water they use, and promote the benefits of reducing water wastage.