Dacorum Gets Wiser with Water

This year has brought us the driest summer in over 50 years. The recent record-breaking hot weather  has resulted in droughts being declared throughout many parts of the UK, including Hertfordshire. The  effects of climate change will mean that we are likely to experience droughts more often – as such it is important to learn how we can adapt and get wiser with water.

Water Worth Saving

A national water saving campaign ‘Water Worth Saving’ is encouraging people to try their top tips.

Saving water is about living more sustainably and adapting to climate change – which can save you time, money and protect our environment. Their tips can help reduce your heating costs, cut down your carbon footprint, and better manage water in your garden.

Save our Streams

Affinity Water are running a Save our Streams (SOS) campaign focused on saving our incredibly rare chalk streams, and the habitats they provide for local wildlife.

Not many people know that the water we drink comes from the local environment, flowing through  nearby rivers and streams. They have put together a short easy to use survey which provides bespoke  expert advice and useful water saving tips as well as the option of free water-saving devices and free home water efficiency checks.

Water Butts

Water butts lower the risks of local flooding and reduce water bills by conserving the water you already have.

They are great for watering the garden, refilling the pond – or even washing the car! Dacorum Borough Council has a supply partner www.getcomposting.com which allows residents to get offers on items such as water butts and composters – simply enter your postcode to get the deals.

The Herts Wildlife Trust have a great resource on how to install water butts.

Water-Friendly Gardening

Climate change is making watering an ever more important issue for gardeners.

Learn how to cope with water shortages and extreme rainfall, store water and use it wisely with these top water-saving tips from the Royal Horticultural Society. They also have advice about drought-resistant gardening.

Supporting Wildlife in Hot Weather

Providing water for wildlife in hot weather is a crucial lifeline.

By simply putting out a tray of water in your garden and keeping it topped up with fresh water, you can help support a wide range of wildlife, such as birds, hedgehogs and frogs.

The Herts Wildlife Trust have outlined their top tips for how you can help wildlife in warmer weather.