As utility bills climb to unseen levels it is unsurprising that many people are starting to install water meters to their homes. This is because the old system of having a categorised water bill has become increasingly more expensive as water companies try to increase their revenue. As such, water meters are a way to not only reduce the prices of your bill but to also use less water in your home. Go to Enviromental technology for more information.

The move towards water meters is not just a result of a homeowner's pursuit of cheaper bills. The government in the last twelve months has made it law that all new builds must be built with water meters as standard. These new regulations are supposed to ensure that those buying new homes have a greater respect for the environmental effects of being wasteful with water, as well the financial costs of wasting this precious resource.

It is not just new builds where the government is trying to introduce water meters in a uniform manner. This battle to conserve water is being fought in the cause of water conservation. With droughts seemingly becoming a regular, if not annual occurrence this move by the government, in conjunction with the amenities is unsurprising. These environmental policies were only a short time ago being championed by the environment minister.

In a statement he professed a desire to increase water conservation in drought prone areas through a variety of measures. Not only were meters at the heart of this conservation effort but points also raised in the statement included the introduction of more porous paving slabs in gardens to aid drainage as well as attempting to reduce the use of phosphates in washing powder to further reduce environmental harm. Refer to enviromental products for more information.

Water meters for all homes are key to the government's strategy over the next twenty years. With so many new houses being built it will not be long before a major water shortage occurs across Britain nationwide. It was argued that this would be a result of not only wastefulness of homeowners but also a result of climate change and economic growth.

The problem with an all encompassing water supply strategy is that regions are different and have different characteristics. As such, for any policies to be successful it is important to take a local approach taking into account factors that relate to that area directly. That said it is still possible to draw general policies that can be applied across the country. By 2030 the government wants average daily water usage to be reduced from 150 to 120 litres. Part of this reduction is to introduce water meters into homes so people are conscious of the water they are using.

Many homeowners however are not happy with the introduction of water meters wholesale. While those who live alone or in small families will benefit, it is those houses that have many residents that will feel the financial pinch of the usage of water meters. Thankfully government ministers are also researching the different charging policies to create a fair pricing structure that will suit all. One thing is agreed, that the existing pricing methods are not only archaic, but wholly unrepresentative. The hope of the research is to produce a pricing system that will actively encourage people to conserve water.

There is little doubt that water meters will become a large part of the water charging and measuring system in the UK. This can not only be seen as a good thing for homeowners' wallets but also for the environment that will benefit from the reduced amounts of water being used and processed. Visit environmental for more information.

Water is one of nature's most precious gifts and a resource we depend on for our life. Water is essential for everyone. Water is fundamental to all life forms, affecting all ecosystems and the various uses to which it is put. Demand continues to rise rapidly as the worlds population grows - water use per capita also increases. This is fast becoming a serious problem because the supply of water is finite. Only 3% of the worlds water is fresh. Refer to Enviromental technology for more information.

According to the World Health Organization, "safe drinking water is fast becoming the world's most critical resource and a global concern as more than a billion people worldwide lack access to it".

Here are a couple of good reasons for their concern:-

=> Unclean water is the second biggest killer of children, claiming more than two million lives annually.
=> drinking water is listed as the Number 4 health hazard in the US. Safe Drinking Water is constantly in the News - politicians would like it to appear safer than it is.

Water is indispensable for human health and well-being. A regular, adequate supply of clean drinking water is one of our essential basic human needs and often a factor in survival. Not only is clean water essential for everyday life, it is essential to economic growth and poverty reduction.

Unfortunately, Water is something we ALL take for granted.

Clean drinking water is one of the world's most precious resources. Under US Federal law, bottled water is classified as a food product. As is the case in most western countries. Go to enviromental products for more information.

As a result of the way water has been marketed over the years, many consumers believe that, bottled water is safer and healthier than tap water. Why wouldn't they think that when they have been shown graphic images of how the condition of the once-clean pure water is transformed by the time it travels through the delapitated pipes to our homes.

It is no wonder that in this day and age bottled water is becoming more and more popular. Sure bottled water is convenient, but it is only as safe as its source.

That same marketing has pushed the price of water - "sometimes dramatically" throughout the world to the point where it is more expensive per litre than petrol.

How much water is enough?
The "recommended" daily consumption of water is somewhere around 60-80 ounces, however alternative health care professionals will tell you should be consuming 50% of your total body weight in pounds in ounces. Regardless of the virtual water that you get from your diet. Virtual water is the amount of water that is embedded in food or other products needed for its production.

Water is the safest thing for you to drink. In many ways, water is a miracle liquid. Water is essential to good health, yet needs vary by individual. Although it contains no nutrients, water is a vital component of our diets.

My 2 cents worth
Make no mistake water is the most important liquid in the world and having a supply of safe drinking water is everybody's business. Visit environmental for more information.

The financial pressure is on to save energy any way we can. Helpful options can range from expensive projects like replacement windows or solar panels to inexpensive choices such as reusing water.

Recycling grey water isn't just for efficiency experts or gung-ho environmentalists; it's something that every family can and should do. Grey water is essentially the used, but not overly dirty (non sewage) water that your household consumes.

Think about all the water that goes down the drain when you run the shower or washing machine. That water can be re-used. Keep reading to learn 3 ways you can recycle your grey water and save money on your water bills.

1. Washing Machine to the Garden

Washing machine drain lines are some of the easiest to convert to a gray water system. Washing machines that run on porches, in mud rooms or in the garage are easy to drain through a simple gray water line because you won't need to go through any major walls.

The proximity of the washing machine to your garden is another factor to consider. Also, because grey water lines flow by gravity, you need to have the used water receptacle lower than the appliance being drained.

With a washing machine, you can easily attach a hose to the drain line and store the water in simple, fifty gallon buckets. When you're ready to use the water, move it to smaller buckets and then use it to water plants and trees on your property.

When you're recycling household wash water, you also need to be careful about what kind of detergents you're using. You don't want chemicals seeping into your land and plants, especially if it's an edible garden.

2. Recycling Dishwasher Water

The most basic way to recycle dish water is to wash your dishes in a small basin, carry that water outside once you're done and dump it on the garden. It's easy and thrifty.

If you use an electric dishwasher, you can still drain the water. Like clothing washers, dishwashers are drained through a special hosing that keeps the cleaner water separate from any sewage. This water can then be used on your property for watering plants or washing your exterior walls.

3. From the Shower to the Toilet

Believe it or not, you can use your grey shower or bath water to flush your toilet. This simple method can be a fully automated process that involves a special grey water collection installation, or you can simply collect the water and fill your toilet's tank with it manually.

You can also install grey water collection systems that funnel your shower water to an outside water basin that can then be used for watering your property.