Waterfall - Saving Water Podcast

#91 Laundry Lessons: Expert Tips for Water and Energy-Efficient Clothes Washing

With rising costs and the need to save energy and water, it’s a great time to rethink laundry habits. In this episode of Waterfall, Cath is joined by Natalie Mathie from Uswitch to share easy ways to wash clothes more efficiently. They talk about common laundry myths, using eco-wash cycles, and caring for your machine so it runs well. There’s also advice on saving energy when drying clothes and tracking usage with tools like the Utrack app—simple changes that can help your bills and the planet.
Timestamps:
00:00 – 02:52 – Introduction & guest welcome
02:52 – 05:44 – Common laundry myths
05:44 – 08:37 – Eco-wash cycles & benefits
08:37 – 11:29 – Caring for your washing machine
11:29 – 14:21 – Drying clothes efficiently
14:21 – 17:14 – Tools like Utrack & final tips
 
Show notes:
Uswitch
 
 

#90 leaks

With the ongoing dry weather, it’s more important than ever to understand leaks and how to save water. In this episode of Waterfall, Mike is joined by Howard Perry from Severn Trent Water about how leaks happen and what we can all do to help. The episode discusses how Severn Trent uses smart meters, clever technology, and teamwork to find and fix leaks quickly. It also highlights how important it is to keep people informed and encourage everyone to report leaks when they see them.
You’ll also hear simple, everyday tips like taking shorter showers, fixing dripping taps, and watering the garden wisely-small changes that make a big difference.
Timestamps
00:00:00 – Introduction00:01:32 – National Water Challenges00:04:44 – How Severn Trent Tackles Leaks00:07:16 – Tools and Technology00:08:42 – Smart Meters and Helping Customers00:17:06 – Building Trust and Everyday Tips00:18:13 – Water-Saving Advice and Final Thoughts
 
Show notes
Report a leak to Severn Trent
Severn Trent Water
 
 

#89 Water saving tips

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike, Cath and Karen share simple, practical water-saving tips to help during the ongoing dry weather. Simple everyday habits like reusing leftover water from bottles and showers, watering plants efficiently, and using eco settings on appliances can make a big difference. These practical tips help reduce water waste and keep us all mindful of how precious water really is during these extreme weather conditions.

#88 You use how much?

In this episode of Waterfall, Cath is joined by Andrew Tucker from Thames Water about how much water we really use daily and how to reduce it and explore common activities like showering and flushing toilets, reveal surprising facts about hidden water waste, and explain how smart meters can help spot leaks and save money. With practical tips and insights, this episode shows how small changes can make a big difference for your water bill and the environment.
Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction & Episode Overview1:15 – Guest Introduction 2:12 – Vox Pops on Daily Water Use6:02 – Real Water Usage vs Perception10:10 – Benefits of Smart Water Meters14:11 – Leaks, Water Waste & Practical Savings Tips
 
Notes
Water meter calculator - CCW
Water saving calculator - Thames Water

#87 Efficient washing up

In this episode of Waterfall, Cath is joined by Chloe from Waterwise and Ana Maria from CCW to mark the start of Water Saving Week. Together, they explore this year’s campaign theme ‘Becoming a Water Saving Hero’ and share practical tips for saving water in the kitchen. From whether dishwashers really use less water than washing up by hand, to cultural habits and common myths, this episode is full of expert advice, surprising facts, and everyday actions that can help you save water, energy and money.
 
Timestamps
0:00: Introductions
01:00: Water Saving Week
06:55:  Vox Pops on Washing Up Habits
10:28: Data & Cultural Differences
16:02: Practical Water-Saving Tips in the Kitchen
 
Show notes
Water Saving Week
CCW’s Water meter calculator
Waterwise’s Water Impact Calculator

#86 Just five litres

We're back with a brand new season of Waterfall! In this episode, Mike is joined by Jane Bellard and Miranda Rennie from Weir The Agency. This episode explores how we can all make small changes to our water use, with a particular focus on practical ways to save just 5 litres of water each day and why even that small amount can make a big difference. Our guests, Jane and Miranda, also discuss their work on transforming water usage behaviours through various interventions and campaigns.
 
Get in touch with the show with any of your questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
 
Time stamps
 
00:00: Introduction
00:54: Why focus on five litres?
03:21: The Save Ten a Day campaign
10:23: Public opinions on water saving
15:57: Discussion of water usage awareness
23:03: Tips for saving five liters
 
Show Notes
 
Weir The Agency
Save Ten a Day campaign
 

#85 Making your water bill more affordable

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike is joined by Andy, CCW's expert in social policy, to discuss ways to save on your water bill and access support for affordability. They explore the advantages of switching to a water meter, offer practical tips to reduce water usage, and explain social tariffs that can lower your bill. They also discuss the range of assistance provided by water companies, including payment plans, payment breaks, and hardship funds. Listeners are encouraged to check out CCW's online resources like the water meter calculator and benefits calculator, and to reach out for help if needed.  
Get in touch with the show with any of your questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
Timestamps 
00:00:00: Introduction 
00:01:32:  Saving money on your water bill - metering and reducing water use 
00:08:08:  Help for those struggling to afford their water bill - payment plans, social tariffs etc. 
00:17:03:  Help for high water users with medical conditions (WaterSure scheme) 
00:19:03:  Dealing with water debt 
00:23:53:  Other CCW resources: benefits calculator and grant search tool 
00:26:08:  Closing thoughts 
 
Show Notes 
Water Meter Calculator 
Help with Bills 
Breathing Space 
Benefits Calculator 
Grants Search Tool 
Our Affordability Research 
 

#84 Clearing the FOGs: The Impact of Fats, Oils, and Greases

In this episode, Mike and Karen are joined by Steve Grebby, Policy Manager at CCW and Jacob Larkin, who is the Campaign Coordinator Unblocktober to talk about the issue of FOGs – Fats, Oils and Greases and the consequences for households and the environment if not disposed of correctly. The team also shares the simple things we can all do to keep are FOGs at bay and our drains clear.
 
Get in touch with the show with any of your questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk
 
Timestamps
01:00: Introductions and welcomes
01:38: What are FOGs?
05:32: What should we put in the dishwasher?
06:58: What are the consequences of not disposing FOGs correctly?
10:47:Unblocktober campaign
15:43: Environmental impact of FOGs
21:03: CCW’s Sink Sense research
 
Show notes
Unblocktober
CCW Sink Sense Research

#83 Pulling the plug

Elise Melville, an energy expert from uSwitch, joins presenters Cath and Karen to discuss uSwitch’s research titled "Pulling the Plug," which examines how rising energy prices are changing people's behaviour. The study reveals that one-third of people in the UK have stopped having baths entirely due to increased energy costs, while two-fifths have reduced their shower time. Elise also shares uSwitch’s tips for showering more efficiently.

#82 Cape Town's Day Zero: Harnessing Behavioural Change

In this episode, Mike and Karen are joined by Rachel Coyle MBE, the Global Managing Director of the Behavioural Insights Team, to discuss the Cape Town drought and the successful "Day Zero" campaign that helped avert the crisis. They delve into how Cape Town faced a severe drought with dangerously low dam levels. In 2018, a team of behavioural scientists launched the "Day Zero" behaviour change campaign, which focused on simple, practical actions like using grey water and providing clear guidance on water-saving measures. This campaign not only successfully averted the crisis but also left a lasting impact on the community. Rachel also shares insights on the enduring effects of the campaign and how its strategies could be applied in other parts of the world.