We often waste water in the kitchen without even noticing - did you know that a running tap uses 10-14 litres of water a minute? And a dishwasher uses up to 40 litres per cycle?

The amount of water required to fill your shopping basket is also staggering, with up to 5000 litres needed to grow a kilo of rice, and 3000 litres for a kilo of sugar. And for every litre of bottled water, 1.6 litres will have been used in its production.

The worst UK drought in 50 years is predicted for 2006 even though this May was the wettest for 27 years. It doesn't help that we use 70% more water today than we did 40 years ago.

But the good news is that small changes in the way we use water can make a big difference...

• Mend that leaky tap. One dripping tap can waste at least 5,500 litres of water. Replacing that tap washer could save you about £18 a year.



• Use a bowl to wash vegetables or to wash and rinse plates.



• Use the left over water to water house plants.



• If you are making a hot drink, fill the kettle with only as much water as you need. You will save electricity as well as water.



• Store drinking water in the fridge, rather than wait for the tap to run cold.



• Avoid pouring waste grease, fat or cooking oil down your kitchen sink or drain, as these quickly build up and cause blockages. Put all your waste fat and grease to good use - mix it up into a 'bird cake' with some nuts, seeds and raisins and hang it outside for birds to feed on.



• Ensure you have a full load of dishes before turning on the dishwasher (or the washing machine when doing your laundry).

These top tips come from "Water: Use Less, Save More" by Amanda Cuthbert and Jon Clift, £3.95