1 in 3 leave the tap running while brushing – wasting 24 litres of water a day, finds new poll
1 in 3 leave the tap running while brushing – wasting 24 litres of water a day, finds new poll
16/05/2014
A third of the UK population have admitted to wasting water while brushing their teeth by leaving the tap running, a new poll has found.
A third of the UK population have admitted to wasting water while brushing their teeth by leaving the tap running, a new poll has found.
The YouGov survey by Middlesex University, found that 33% of the UK population always or sometimes leave the tap running while brushing their teeth.
According to waterwise.org 'a running tap wastes over six litres per minute', meaning if adults brush their teeth the NHS recommended twice a day for two minutes – they could be wasting over 24 litres of water a day – more than is used in the average modern dishwasher cycle.
The biggest culprits are found in Northern Ireland and Scotland – where around half the population (50% and 47% respectively) will always or sometimes leave the tap running.
The most water conscious area of the UK is the South-West of England where 73% of the population either always or often turn their taps off to brush.
The poll, of 2,402 adults from the UK, was commissioned for a conference on the important topic of water due to be held at Middlesex University. The conference, for charities, researchers and journalists, brings together top experts from the UK and world-wide organisations on Friday to discuss water.
The free conference is set to cover vital themes affecting water world-wide and takes a lead from the latest IPCC report, which places an emphasis on water and its widespread significance affecting the current political, ecological and ethical arenas, as well as the symbolic representation of water.
Top speakers include BBC Radio 4 presenter Ed Stourton and Dr Abimbola Odumusu from Save the Children and Unicef, who will be discussing 'Water: A growing concern for the poor'.
1 in 3 leave the tap running while brushing – wasting 24 litres of water a day, finds new poll
A third of the UK population have admitted to wasting water while brushing their teeth by leaving the tap running, a new poll has found.
The YouGov survey by Middlesex University, found that 33% of the UK population always or sometimes leave the tap running while brushing their teeth.
According to waterwise.org 'a running tap wastes over six litres per minute', meaning if adults brush their teeth the NHS recommended twice a day for two minutes – they could be wasting over 24 litres of water a day – more than is used in the average modern dishwasher cycle.
The biggest culprits are found in Northern Ireland and Scotland – where around half the population (50% and 47% respectively) will always or sometimes leave the tap running.
The most water conscious area of the UK is the South-West of England where 73% of the population either always or often turn their taps off to brush.
The poll, of 2,402 adults from the UK, was commissioned for a conference on the important topic of water due to be held at Middlesex University. The conference, for charities, researchers and journalists, brings together top experts from the UK and world-wide organisations on Friday to discuss water.
The free conference is set to cover vital themes affecting water world-wide and takes a lead from the latest IPCC report, which places an emphasis on water and its widespread significance affecting the current political, ecological and ethical arenas, as well as the symbolic representation of water.
Top speakers include BBC Radio 4 presenter Ed Stourton and Dr Abimbola Odumusu from Save the Children and Unicef, who will be discussing 'Water: A growing concern for the poor'.