Jersey Water urges islanders to ‘grab a big butt’ — for water saving

Jersey Water’s ‘Big Butt’ Campaign Urges Islanders to Save Every Drop

A tongue-in-cheek new campaign from Jersey Water is asking islanders to “grab a big butt” — but it’s all in the name of water conservation.

The ‘Big Butt’ initiative aims to tackle declining reservoir levels by encouraging households to install water butts and collect rainwater for everyday outdoor use. Current water stocks remain well below the 10-year seasonal average, raising concerns about supply resilience heading into next year.

Mark Bowden, Head of Water Resilience and Emergency Planning at Jersey Water, said the response from customers has already been positive.

“If you have a garden, a water butt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to collect rainwater,” he said. “It can be used during the drier months and even help reduce your bill. Rainwater is also much better for plants than tap water.”

Bowden added that preparing now could make a real difference by spring and summer, especially with above-average rainfall needed this winter to replenish reservoirs.

The utility hopes the playful campaign will spark serious action, encouraging islanders to think differently about how they use water. The message is simple: small changes at home can make a big impact on the island’s overall water security.

To make it easier for households to take part, JFTU, Ransoms, Le Quesne’s, and St Peter’s Garden Centres are offering a 10% discount on water butts until 6 December.

Residents can also download the free GetWaterFit app via the Jersey Water website, which provides personalised insights and tips to help reduce water use.

The company has also shared several easy water-saving ideas:

• Turn off the tap while brushing teeth — saving up to 6 litres a minute.

• Keep showers short — reducing from 7 to 4 minutes can save around 24 litres.

• Run only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines.

• Fix leaks promptly — a dripping tap can waste over 200 litres a day.

• Keep a jug of cold water in the fridge instead of running the tap.

• Skip the hose — use a bucket and sponge for washing the car.

As the island faces increasingly dry conditions, Jersey Water hopes that a mix of humour and practical advice will inspire islanders to do their bit — and maybe even show a little love for those “big butts.”