Lots of myths and realities about water conservation prevail about how to save and conserve water—even an Irish teenager got in on the action recently.

With charges coming into effect from tomorrow, it's a good time to separate fact from fiction and offer up some tips to keep your bill low.

Myth: Placing a brick in a toilet is a simple way to save water.

Reality: A brick will disintegrate in water, lose its effectiveness at saving water, and can damage the toilet’s plumbing. Although it is not recommended, when using a brick, wrap it in a sturdy plastic bag before placing it in the toilet.

Myth: Putting a bottle in the cistern.

Reality: Placing a bottle in the cistern will only displace 1 litre of water and will also cause the growth of algae in the cistern as the bottle and the chemicals in the water interact with each other.

Myth: Very few toilets leak water.

Reality: An estimated 25 percent of all toilets leak and can waste five to more than 151 litres of water per hour.

Tips:

• Washing machines can use as much as 72 litres of water for a full wash.
• Using an A rated Washing machine will reduce water use by 40 litres per full load.
• Always only use full loads.

• Dish washers can use 21 litres per wash.
• A-rated ones will use only 7 litres.
• Again always only use full loads.

• Never brush teeth while the water is running as this can use 8 litres when all you need is a small glass of water.
• Always use water saving shower heads as they use 40% less water.

Martin Lane is Managing Director with Water Save Ireland.