When you turn on the tap, do you think about where your water comes from? Many of us don’t, but the choices we make at home can have a big impact on the health of our rivers. This International Day of Action for Rivers, we’re exploring the link between your water use and river conservation, and how small changes can help protect our local environment.
The hidden connection between your tap and our rivers
The water that flows from your tap is taken from the same groundwater sources that flow through local rivers and streams. But if the demand for water is too high, it can impact these incredibly rare chalk streams. These rivers support incredible wildlife, including brown trout, water voles, kingfishers, and otters.
That’s why we’re working hard to keep more water in the local environment. Through our Save Our Streams initiative, we’re helping people understand how to reduce their water use. Every drop saved means more water stays in rivers, keeping them healthy for wildlife and future generations.
Restoring rivers for a resilient future
Every mindful choice you make at home helps protect the rare chalk streams that wildlife depends on. But our commitment doesn't stop there. Our Catchment and Biodiversity teams play a vital role in protecting and restoring local rivers, working on habitat improvements, pollution prevention, and long-term conservation efforts to support healthier ecosystems. By saving water, you're directly supporting these crucial initiatives, helping our experts improve biodiversity and communities alike.
Over the years, rivers have been changed to meet different needs. Meanders have been straightened, and concrete has been added to stop erosion. People have built channels to move water for mills that make flour, cloth, and paper. Weirs have been added to help control water levels for fisheries, mills, recreation, watercress farms, and parks. Dredging has made rivers wider and deeper than before. These changes make it harder for rivers to adapt to floods and droughts and reduce the natural habitats that wildlife depends on. To restore rivers and enhance habitats, we’re:
- Removing obstacles like weirs or creating bypasses for fish to move freely.
- Restoring natural river shapes to improve flow and biodiversity.
- Planting native vegetation along riverbanks to create healthier habitats.
How you can help
You have the power to make a difference! By making simple changes at home, you can help keep our rivers flowing:
- Take shorter showers - Reducing your shower time by just 2 minutes can save 20 litres of water a day.
- Fix leaks and dripping taps- to avoid waste. We’ll even fix these for free for you with our Leak Visits service.
- Use water-efficient appliances - Choose eco-friendly settings on your dishwasher and washing machine
- Turn off the tap - Save up to 20 litres when brushing your teeth.
Want to do more? Sign up for our Save Our Streams initiative to get personalised water-saving tips, access free water-saving devices, and find out how your actions help protect local rivers.
Beyond the home, you can also:
- Join local litter picks to help keep rivers and waterways clean.
- Support conservation groups that work to restore and protect rivers.
- Take part in community events like tree planting or habitat restoration.
This International Day of Action for Rivers, let’s work together to protect these vital waterways—for wildlife, for communities, and for future generations. By thinking beyond the tap and making mindful choices, we can all play a role in river conservation.