THERE may be a lot of water in our region, but it is still important not to waste it, as Amy Hunt explains.

Nov 6 2007 by Karen Wilson, The Journal

TWO-THIRDS of our planet is covered in water, but only 1% of that is drinkable.

The water that we use today is the same water that has always been here, the same water that the dinosaurs drank, bathed and swam in.

We all use water every day, for drinking, washing and leisure.

But do we use more water than we really need to?

Before it flows from your tap, water has to be taken from the natural environment, treated and delivered to your home.

When you flush the toilet or pull out the plug, all that water has to be cleaned again before it can rejoin the water cycle.

Processes such as treating and pumping water through pipes use significant amounts of energy and chemicals which all adds to global warming.

The more water we clean, the more waste products and carbon dioxide are produced.

And the more water we take, the less remains in the natural environment.

If we demand too much water, there may be less for plants and animals to live in.

This is why it is important to use water wisely.

Small measures like not leaving the tap running while you brush your teeth or shave, and turning off dripping taps, can help save a surprising amount of water.

Pouring oil and grease down sinks and using your toilet like a bin also put strain on the water system.

Fats from margarine, butter, lard, cooking oil, chip pans, meat fats, food scraps and sauces may dissolve in warm water and detergent, but harden as they cool and can block drains, meaning you could be landed with a drain cleaning bill. If grease blocks sewers, they can cause sewer flooding, which can be very unpleasant.

Northumbrian Water’s colourful character Chips, the grease monkey, aims to raise awareness of the problems caused when grease, cooking oil and fat are poured down sinks and drains.

He asks householders to dispose of grease properly to prevent homes and gardens being flooded and damage to the environment being caused and to help keep sewer-maintenance work down.

Cleaning grease at just one big treatment works costs alone about £50,000 a year and Northumbrian Water has almost 450 treatment works and 15,500 km of sewers to look after.

Graham Neave, operations director for Northumbrian Water, said: “Using the monkey Chips is a light-hearted way to highlight a serious message and with the support of our 2.6 million customers, we can really make a difference.

“Sewers are only designed to take waste water from the home – all other waste should go out with the rubbish.”

You should always dispose of fats, oils or grease in a container or newspaper and put it in your bin.

Or you can mix used oils with seeds or bread to make birdcakes to string up and feed the birds in your garden.

David Hirst, RSPB regional information officer, said: “Garden birds which feed on grease-related birdcakes include the blackbird, robin, great tit, blue tit, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch and maybe even great spotted woodpeckers.

“Winter is a difficult time for many birds. By providing food, water and shelter you can really help them and turn your yard or garden into a wildlife haven for you to enjoy. This campaign which Northumbrian Water is promoting is excellent news. We are working to ensure food is available for birds in the winter so they survive the cold months.”