The Hidden Water Waste:

When it comes to saving water, fixing a leaking toilet might not be the first thing that comes to mind - but it should be.

A staggering 1 in 20 toilets in the UK leaks, wasting up to 400 litres of water a day.

That’s enough to fill five baths or triple the daily water use of an average person in the UK!

What’s more, this could cost you £300 a year in water bills alone

This hidden water waste is not just a drain on the environment but also on your wallet. Leaky loos can rack up your water bills and increase the carbon footprint associated with treating and delivering water to your home.

In this blog, Waterwise explains how to identify a leaky toilet, why it matters and what you can do to fix it.

What is a Leaky Loo?

A leaky toilet occurs when clean water dribbles or runs from the cistern into the back of the toilet bowl. Because the water runs silently and continuously, it often goes unnoticed until you see a spike in your water bill - or worse, waste thousands of litres of water.

Here’s the scale of the problem:

• A leaky loo wastes between 200 and 400 litres of water per day.

• Over the course of a week, that’s enough water to fill 35 baths.

• Left unchecked, it could waste over 100,000 litres of water in a year—all from one toilet.

How to Detect a Leaky Toilet: 

Spotting a leaking toilet isn’t as hard as you might think. There are two simple ways to check if your loo is wasting water – all with the same outcome: saving water, and money, and reducing the carbon footprint from the energy-intensive water treatment process.

Method 1: Toilet Paper Test

1. Place a square of toilet paper at the back of the toilet bowl

2. Leave it overnight without flushing

3. In the morning, check the paper. If it’s wet, you’ve got a leak.

Method 2: Leaky Loo Strips

Some water companies offer free leaky loo detection strips, which can help you easily spot a leak. Check with your water company to see if they provide these strips and how to use them.

Why Fixing a Leaky Loo Matters

A leaky toilet isn’t just an inconvenience - it’s a problem with serious environmental and financial consequences:

• Save Water: By fixing your toilet, you can save up to 400 litres of water a day, helping to conserve this precious resource.

• Lower Your Bills: Reducing water waste can lower your household water bill.

• Cut Carbon Emissions: Treating and delivering water has a carbon footprint. By reducing waste, you’re helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

What Should You Do If Your Toilet Leaks?

If your toilet is leaking, don’t worry - it’s easy to fix! Here’s how:

1. Check Your Water Company: Many water companies in the UK offer free services to detect and even fix leaky loos. Check if your water company provides this service

2. Find an approved plumber: Head to WaterSafe for a directory of approved plumbers who are trained in the water regulations which keep tap water wholesome

3. DIY Repairs: Feeling handy? Visit your local DIY store or plumbing merchants; the staff can help you find replacements. Just remember to double-check for leaks once the repair is complete.

Watch the Video: Fixing a Leaky Loo with Waterwise and WaterSafe

To help spread the word, we partnered with WaterSafe and influencer Charlie Gill (@lifebeforeplastic) to create an informative video on how to take the leaky loo challenge. Showing viewers how to detect a leak, why it’s important to fix it, and how to find a qualified plumber.

Watch the video here >

Take Action Today

Leaky loos might seem small, but their impact is huge. By taking a few minutes to check your toilet for leaks, you can help save water, money, and energy. Fixing a leaky toilet is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make a difference for the planet. 

Find an approved plumber at watersafe.org.uk and join us in the fight against water waste. Together, we can create a future where water is used wisely every day, everywhere, by everyone.