Waterfall - Saving Water Podcast

#101 How low can you go?

In this special wrap-up episode of Waterfall, Mike Keil is joined by CCW’s Catherine Jones to look back on Season 5 and put their guests’ water-saving claims to the test. From academics and campaigners to water industry experts, they rank the season’s guests by their actual daily water use, revealing who really walks the walk when it comes to saving water. Along the way, they revisit standout moments from the series, share personal water-saving confessions, and show that cutting water use doesn’t require big lifestyle changes - just small, achievable tweaks that add up.
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome and overview01:00 – Measuring water use02:25 – Guests and water awareness08:00 – Mid-table rankings15:00 – Top 10 water savers22:35 – Top 5 revealed28:35 – Season’s top saver29:35 – Mike and Cath’s water use33:45 – Season 5 highlights35:35 – Final thoughts and resources

#100 Talking rubbish

In this milestone 100th episode of Waterfall, , Mike is joined by Professor Maja Kutlaca from Durham University to explore why recycling has become part of everyday life while saving water still lags behind. Drawing on her research in social psychology, Maja explains how visibility, social norms and trusted messengers shape our behaviour, and why water saving often feels less urgent or personal. Together, they discuss how better communication, community leadership and simple tools like water meters could help make water conservation a normal, everyday habit.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introductions01:00 – Recycling and water saving03:13 – Why water saving is less visible05:41 – Emotion and motivation08:48 – Public trust and water saving13:21 – Who should deliver messages17:32 – Social pressure and habits29:18 – Closing thoughts

#99 Showing water waste the red card

Most football fans don’t realise just how many millions of litres of water are needed to keep pitches in top condition each season. In this episode, Mike chats with Jack Shuttleworth, founder of sustainable drainage company FORMA, to explore how cutting-edge systems at Everton and Hednesford Town are helping tackle water scarcity, flooding and pollution.   
Time stamps
00:00 – Introduction
02:00 – What is Formavoid and what inspired it?
03:40 – Replacing deep storm tanks
07:01 – Ventilation
11:41 – How rainwater harvesting works
14:06 – Monitoring water quality and nitrates
17:34 – Water and cost savings
23:15 – Sustainability
28:13 – Grassroots application
38:35 – Closing thoughts
 
Show notes 
Inside Keys Park | A pitch special 
Non-League. World-Class. Hednesford Town FC Unveils Next-Generation Pitch Technology - Hednesford Town FC  
Innovation in attenuation – ready for take-off - Government & Public Sector Journal  
Water meter calculator - CCW 

#98 Smart Showers, Smarter Habits: University of Surrey’s Water-Saving Revolution

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike is joined by Professor Benjamin Gardner from the University of Surrey to explore how smart shower technology is reshaping our understanding of everyday water use. Ben shares insights from a major research project that used sensor-based timers in student accommodation to track shower habits, reveal what drives long showers, and show how simple feedback can cut shower times by up to 43 percent. Together, they uncover how small nudges, smarter tech, and better awareness can help us save water, energy, and money without compromising comfort.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introductions and smart showers explained01:03 – How smart shower sensors work03:29 – The Surrey study and the impact of timers06:06 – Why real-time feedback beats egg timers09:15 – What the data reveals about shower habits15:22 – Key findings, surprises, and future research25:56 – Closing thoughts and personal water use
Show notes
Water meter calculator - CCW

#97 Making Every Drop Count at Home

In this episode of Waterfall, Cath is joined by Andrew Laughlin from Which? to uncover the truth about water-efficient appliances. They explore how to use washing machines and dishwashers smartly, what eco modes really do, and how to make sense of energy labels and ratings. From busting common myths to sharing expert insights on saving water, energy, and money, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you make greener choices without compromising on cleaning power.
 
Timestamps
00:00 Introductions and episode overview
01:25 Using appliances efficiently
03:46 Eco modes and real savings
06:24 Energy labels and choosing wisely
09:45 Washing at lower temperatures
13:08 Dishwasher vs handwashing
16:27 Common appliance myths
20:07 Reliable machines and final tips

#96 Rethinking Rain

In this episode of  Waterfall Karen is joined by Matt Wheeldon, Infrastructure Development Director at Wessex Water, to explore how we can rethink our relationship with one of nature’s most overlooked resources: rain.
Matt explains why we should see rain not as a problem to drain but as a valuable resource to harness. Together, they discuss the Rainwater Management Platform, a major collaboration transforming how the UK manages rainfall sustainably. From cutting carbon and reducing storm overflows to building climate resilience, this conversation reveals how managing rain better where it lands can help create a water-wise future.
 
Timestamps
00:00 – Introductions01:25 – The Rainwater Management Platform05:17 – Lessons from drainage history09:14 – Climate change and local action12:45 – Smarter infrastructure and policy16:04 – Practical steps at home22:54 – The need for national strategy30:00 – Rethinking storm overflows36:36 – Water use, homes, and future planning40:00 – Closing thoughts and wrap-up

#95 Rain Dance – Why We Need Wet Winters

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike is joined by our water resource expert Karen to explore why wet winters are so important for our water supplies. They unpack how rainfall replenishes reservoirs, rivers, and underground aquifers, what droughts in winter really mean, and how climate change is reshaping rainfall patterns. With insights on long-term planning, real-world examples, and simple actions we can all take to protect our water resources, this conversation dives deep into why every drop – and every season – counts.
 
Timestamps
00:00 - Introductions and episode overview02:35 - Why wet winters matter for water supplies06:27 - Drought planning and the idea of winter droughts10:13 - Climate extremes and changing rainfall patterns13:29 - Why saving water still matters18:57 - Practical water-saving tips and wrap-up

#94 The everything shower

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike is joined by our very own Bibhuti and Ruth Williams from Utility Week to explore the rise of the “everything shower” trend. They discuss why it’s so popular with Gen Z, the surprising costs of long showers, and what it means for water use, sustainability, and self-care. With insights from CCW’s Gen Z campaign and reflections on how media and industry can inspire change, this episode asks whether it’s possible to enjoy an “everything shower” while still saving water.
Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction & guests
00:02:31 –  What is the “everything shower”?
00:04:28 – Gen Z, self-care & sustainability
00:15:14 – Cost of long showers
00:27:32 – Mindful shower tips
00:30:08 – CCW’s Gen Z campaign
 
Show notes
Water meter calculator - CCW
Refresh your routine campaign: Engaging Gen Z to protect our water future - CCW
 
 

#93 Understanding drought

In this episode of Waterfall, Cath and Karen are joined by Stuart Sampson, National Drought Manager at the Environment Agency, to explore what really happens during a drought. Stuart explains how droughts are defined, why they differ from dry weather, and what Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) mean for households. He also shares the role of water companies in drought planning, the environmental impacts of prolonged dry spells, and what practical steps we can all take to save water. Full of expert insights and useful tips, this episode highlights why water resilience matters for us all.
 
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest
01:08 – How dry has 2025 been compared to past years?
03:58 – What officially defines a drought?
09:59 – Understanding Temporary Use Bans (TUBs)
15:19 – What should water companies do during droughts?
21:17 – Environmental impacts of prolonged drought
26:22 – Key messages and practical steps for the public
 
Show notes
Environment Agency

#92 Keep Life Flowing

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike is joined by Chloe Clarke, Senior Marketing Manager at Affinity Water, to talk about behaviour change and how small everyday actions can make a big difference. Chloe shares how Affinity Water’s Keep Life Flowing campaign is inspiring people to use water more responsibly, the role of communication in building trust, and why working together is key to protecting our precious supply. Packed with practical advice and real-life examples, this conversation shows how we can all play a part in shaping a more sustainable water future.
 
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
02:15 – Why behaviour change matters
07:30 – Campaigns that connect
13:40 – Building trust through communication
19:20 – Everyday water-saving tips
25:10 – Looking ahead
29:00 – Closing reflections
 
Show notes
Keep life flowing: simple changes to save water |Affinity Water