At Roehampton, sustainability is more than a buzzword, it is a way of life. That is why we are excited to take part in Water Saving Week 2025, running from 26–30 May. This national awareness week encourages people across the UK to think more carefully about how we use water, and how we can waste less of it.
The UK uses over 14 billion litres of water every day, and a large portion of this is wasted through inefficient habits or leaking infrastructure. What is more, climate change is already affecting our water supply with longer dry spells, stressed rivers, and increased demand, all putting pressure on resources.
Whether you are a student in halls or staff member on campus, water-saving actions matter. When we reduce waste, we protect nature, save energy, and help make Roehampton a greener place to live and learn.
Why it matters
Every litre of water we use takes energy to clean, transport, and heat. So, when we waste water, we’re also increasing our carbon footprint. The Wildlife Trusts reminds us that overuse of water damages freshwater habitats, impacts wildlife, and depletes our rivers and wetlands.
The good news? Small daily habits make a real difference especially when adopted by a whole campus community.
What Roehampton is doing
Roehampton continues to lead on green initiatives. Our estates department:
- Regularly maintain water systems to prevent leaks
- Installed water-saving toilets
- Provide refill stations in all campus diners, the library, and the David Bell Building
These steps support our commitment to reaching our environmental goals and help reduce our water footprint across campus.
Quick tips to conserve water
Here are five easy ways you can save water every day:
- Turn off taps when brushing your teeth – this can save up to 6 litres a minute.
- Keep your showers short – aim for 6 minutes. Use a timer or playlist.
- Use refill stations – refill a reusable bottle instead of buying bottled drinks.
- Only run full loads – whether it’s laundry or the dishwasher.
- Report leaks – if you see a dripping tap or broken toilet, let Estates know.
Get involved
Throughout the week, look out for daily water-saving challenges on our Instagram. Let’s make every drop count for our community, our environment, and our future.
Written by Nanouchka Melem.