A SURVEY has revealed that some people are not as clued up about water as they think. The average person uses 160 litres every day – the equivalent of two bathfuls – but when DIY retailers B&Q, in association with Three Valleys Water, asked how much peopl

A SURVEY has revealed that some people are not as clued up about water as they think.

The average person uses 160 litres every day - the equivalent of two bathfuls - but when DIY retailers B&Q, in association with Three Valleys Water, asked how much people thought they used half of them replied just 60 litres.

Little over a third guessed the correct amount while six per cent thought it was as low as 10 litres.

Although hosepipe bans are in force in some parts of the South East, including Comet country, people are still using more water than needed.

Backing an efficiency drive is Stevenage mayor Brian Underwood who planted up a water-efficient hanging basket at the local B&Q store.

In Hitchin, chairman of North Herts Council, Lynda Needham, joined in by giving away magazines containing water saving tips in the home and garden.

Three Valleys Water managing director Peter Darby said: "Today's lifestyles mean people use 50 per cent more water than they did 25 years ago, but they obviously don't realise just how much they are using.

"The drought has certainly made people more aware of water, and this survey reflects that. I hope that visitors to B&Q will find our leaflet helpful in managing their water use this summer."

The online survey was featured on www.diy.com

* Pictured, left to right, are the store manager at Hitchin B&Q Rahul Bhatia, chairman of North Herts District Council Lynda Needham, Isobel Rawlinson from Three Valleys Water and Kenneth Needham, the chairman's escort