Expert urges pensioners to slash water bill with simple change before 33% cost rise

With energy bills rising, winter approaching and “pain” predicted in the upcoming budget, many pensioners are desperately stretching their finite funds to cover the ever-increasing cost of living. One expert warned that the next place they might start feeling the pinch could be their water bills.

Accessible bathroom specialists Assisted Living revealed up to 40% of older people in England are already cutting back on their water usage as their living expenses rise, and these bills alone are expected to rise by up to 33% by 2030.

Cheryl Ridson explained that water bills are subtly rising every year by around £30, but this steady increase can be easily thwarted by some simple changes in your daily routine. The Assisted Living expert started with a recommendation: “Get a water meter fitted.” This can help you monitor your usage more accurately but it could also fluctuate your bills every month and can sometimes come with steep upfront costs.

Cheryl’s second piece of advice is her ideal bathroom routine; a short shower instead of a bath, if you are able to. She shared: “A short shower can use as little as 1/3 less water than a typical bath does. Spending 5 minutes less in the shower could save you as much as £200.”

One of the more obvious ways to cut your water bill is to make sure you’re only paying for water you actually use. This means making sure all your taps are properly turned off after being used. The expert added: “This also includes turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving as leaving the water on for those few minutes could cost you £30.”

Finally, one of Cheryl’s more unique tips is specifically for retirees with gardens: “Rather than using a hose to keep your plants healthy, you may want to consider investing in a water butt to utilise rainwater or even repurposing your bath and shower water to fill your watering can. Using a watering can to water the garden can be beneficial for controlling how much water is used.”