THE Lord Mayor of York has joined forces with Yorkshire Water to encourage residents to try and reduce the amount of water they use and claim their free water saving pack.

Councillor Barbara Boyce, together with the Lady Mayoress, Val Clark, and the Sheriff of York, Gill Brian, Cllr Boyce toured Yorkshire Water’s treatment works at Acomb Landing to learn more about how water is treated and makes its way to the taps.

“Helping to save water isn’t just good for the environment, but it also helps you save money on your water and energy bills," she said.

“Everyone should take this opportunity to claim their free water saving pack from Yorkshire Water and have a look at their top tips to save water.”

The party learned more about the new water saving campaign, the free water saving packs on offer, and the importance of everyone doing their bit to help the environment.

The free water saving packs contain a save-a-flush cistern bag and tap inserts to aerate your water. It also includes a shower timer so you can take the 4-minute shower challenge.

Emily Brady from Yorkshire Water said: “Taking a shorter shower is a fast-track way to save water so the shower timer acts as a great reminder to stop you spending too long in there. Other simple tips such as turning off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth also helps to keep your water usage down.”

To order a free water-saving pack, complete with shower timer and save-a-flush cistern bag, visit www.yorkshirewater.com/savewater

Yorkshire Water launched its annual water saving campaign with these top tips:

1. Take the 4-minute shower challenge with your very own shower timer!

2. Dirty cars don’t hurt anyone! You can get away with washing just the windows, lights and mirrors; or, if you have to wash it, use a bucket and sponge, not a hosepipe

3. Cover paddling pools and hot tubs when not in use so the water needs changing less often. Use a fish tank net to clean out the paddling pool instead of emptying and totally refilling it every time

4. Fix leaking taps to save up to £18 on your bill each year (that’s up to 5,500 litres of water)

5. Keep a bottle of tap water in the fridge for drinking so you don’t need to run the tap until it gets cold enough to drink

6. Established plants and lawns generally don’t need watering to get through a dry spell. This is England, it will rain soon enough! A garden hose can use more water in an hour than a family normally uses in two days

7. Water new plants and lawns with a watering can as late in the evening as possible so the heat doesn’t make the water evaporate

8. Set your mower a level higher during summer. Keeping grass longer shades the soil surface and reduces water lost to evaporation

9. Turn the tap off when you’re brushing your teeth, this could save you seven litres of water a day!

10. Save water, and money, by making sure your washing machine is full!