Water, Water, Water!

Statistics published by the council this week show that the Lib Dem run council has reduced its water usage by around 5% - more than 21,000 cubic metres of water.

In a City Council press release, Cllr Roger Blackmore, leader of the city council said; "As we have seen recently, extremes of weather in the UK have brought both floods and drought within very short spaces of time, water resources are of international concern. The council has a vast range of uses for water, from filling swimming pools, to cleaning the streets. By reducing our usage, even by a small amount we are helping to protect the environment in a way that others can follow."

The council has installed metering systems in 200 of its buildings, which give water management officers accurate information about water consumption and help to identify areas for attention.

It collects rainwater for uses which don't require clean drinking water - such as flushing toilets or watering sports pitches. And water for Cossington Street swimming pool is taken from a well.

The statistics are contained in the council's latest environmental statement which covers the year from April 2004 to March 2005. Published once a year, the statement enables people to measure the council's performance in a range of areas.

The statement is part of the council's commitment to the European-led Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).

Leicester was the first council in the country to get all of its services to meet the high standards required to join the scheme.