Councils are cutting their water bills in half saving taxpayers thousands of pounds and the environment millions of litres thanks to an innovative new scheme.

Local authorities across Sussex are counting the benefits of joining the Aquafund scheme which helps to identify and prevent waste.

West Sussex County Council announced last week that the saving scheme has sliced 45% from their bills and reduced its water use by 31%.


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Hastings Borough Council has reduced its water usage by 20 million litres in less than two years and now other authorities are being encouraged to get involved to reap the benefits.

West Sussex County Council decided to join the AquaFund shared water saving scheme last year and aimed to save 20% of water consumption in the first 12 months.

But the scheme was so successful that the council almost doubled this figure saving nearly 38,000 cubic metres of water which would have cost almost £150,000.

Half of the cost savings go to the council with the other half to Aquafund for the first five years of the agreement.

The company provided a grant to cover the costs of installing automatic meter readers, occupancy sensors on urinals, water flow restrictors and enhanced leak detection.

Worthing Borough Council and Mid Sussex District Council are also weighing up joining the scheme following its success elsewhere.

West Sussex County Council cabinet member for finance Michael Brown said: “I am delighted that we have made such large savings in the first year of operation.

“This scheme is good because AquaFund donates one per cent of all its revenue directly to the charity Water Aid.

“It’s a win-win situation. Not only is the County Council reducing its carbon footprint and water consumption, but in turn it is also saving money and supporting Water Aid.”

A Hastings Borough Council spokesman said: "This is a very good result for us, and the local council taxpayer, as we're saving a significant amount of money, and benefitting the environment too.

“According to AquaFund in the 22 months since we signed up the scheme, it has saved us £54 000, and we have reduced our water consumption by some 20 million litres.”