Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Waterfall Rapids

In this edition of Waterfall Rapids, we discuss why saving water is so important. 

In this edition of Waterfall Rapids, we discuss how saving water also means saving money. 

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen  provide a plethora of tips on how to best save water within with the kitchen. 

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by Steph and Nathan from WaterWise, an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting water efficiency across the UK. They share insights on why using water wisely matters, practical tips for saving water at home, from checking for leaky toilets to smart shower habits, and ideas for making everyday choices that help both your bills and the planet.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction 02:08 – Why water efficiency matters 06:50 – Toilet tips 09:21 – Everyday household tips 11:28 – Conclusion

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by our Policy Manager, Janine Shackleton, for a chat on the help available for those in vulnerable circumstances regarding their water use. 

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike & Karen head back indoors to offer tons of tips to help you save water within the biggest domestic drain of all: the bathroom! 

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by Lisa Craven, MD of Stormsaver, to talk about rainwater harvesting. She explains how the systems work, clears up common misconceptions about rainwater being dirty, and shares the impressive savings possible for both homes and businesses, plus practical tips for retrofitting older properties.

The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 2/8/2024.

Timestamps:

• 00:56 – What is rainwater harvesting?
• 02:25 – Is rainwater actually clean?
• 04:04 – Typical water savings at home
• 07:16 – Business appetite for reuse
• 10:21 – Retrofitting an older home

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Lia takes us on two walks with water in Wales to promote the Walking with Water campaign. She speaks with Tony Rees from South East Wales Rivers Trust about the Taff Trail, its industrial heritage and its links to local reservoirs, then with land artist Rebecca Wynne-Kelly in Aberarth about Welsh water folklore, slowing down in nature, and the fight for water justice.

The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 21/7/2023.

Timestamps:

• 00:39 – What is Walking with Water?
• 01:38 – Meeting Tony and the Taff Trail
• 04:21 – How reservoirs feed the river
• 07:42 – Meeting Rebecca in Aberarth
• 10:42 – The legend of the witch and the pool

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Cath are joined by Lia, a water sector professional originally from Greece and now based in Cardiff, to explore the water situation in one of Europe's sunniest countries. From prolonged drought and devastating wildfires to desalination on the islands and households drilling their own wells, Lia paints a vivid picture of a country under real water pressure. The episode also touches on some surprising water saving practices in Greece, including municipalities cutting off supply during the hottest hours of the day, and what the UK could learn from it all.

Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction

00:42 – Guest introduction

01:07 – Greece's water resources and the challenge of drought

03:25 – Islands, desalination and agricultural pressures

06:26 – Attitudes towards water in Greece vs the UK

09:09 – Water saving practices: bidets, wells and rainwater tanks

10:28 – Cutting the supply off during the hottest hours of the day

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike heads out as roving reporter to visit the garden of David Clubb, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales, to see how one person has transformed their home into a mini rain garden. David explains how he ripped up concrete, installed an ingenious water butt overflow system and planted fruit trees, all to reduce surface water runoff and give nature a helping hand. The episode is full of simple, practical ideas for anyone looking to make their outdoor space work harder for both wildlife and water efficiency.

Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction

01:06 – Guest introduction

02:09 – From concrete to garden: David's transformation

04:23 – The water butt overflow system explained

07:05 – What David did with his front garden

09:25 – The case for surface water rebates

10:31 – Inspiring the street and scaling up the idea

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen share their top 10 tips for staying cool, saving water and saving money during the heatwave. From paddling pools and water fights to garden watering and chilled tap water, this episode is packed with simple, practical advice for making the most of the hot weather without wasting a drop.

Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction 00:54 – Lawns and sprinklers 01:35 – Water fights and outdoor pools 02:27 – Water butts and gardening 03:16 – Car washing 04:40 – Paddling pools 06:35 – Final tips and wrap up

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike is joined by Pete O'Hanlon and Annie Lamb from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to explore the work they are doing to support customers in vulnerable circumstances. From specialist support teams and social tariffs to outreach events and free water efficiency products, Pete and Annie explain how Welsh Water is taking a personalised, community focused approach to helping customers who might otherwise fall through the cracks. The episode is full of inspiring examples of how water companies can go beyond the bill to make a real difference in people's lives.

Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:22 – Guest introductions: Pete O'Hanlon and Annie Lamb, Welsh Water

03:53 – Water efficiency and the personal touch

06:28 – Innovative approaches to engaging customers

08:18 – Water saving tips available to all Welsh Water customers

10:31 – Water resilient communities projects

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike and Karen are joined by Ana Millan from CCW and Luis Alejandro Camacho-Botero, water resources engineer at Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, to explore Colombia's remarkable water saving story. When a tunnel collapse in 1997 threatened Bogota's entire water supply, the city launched urgent conservation campaigns that permanently transformed how its eight million residents use water. The episode explores how a powerful combination of price signals, universal metering and behaviour change brought daily water use down to just 92 litres per person per day, and what the UK could learn from it.

Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction

00:52 – Guest introductions: Ana Millan and Luis Alejandro Camacho-Botero

01:22 – The 1997 water crisis in Bogota

04:31 – Did the water saving measures work?

06:41 – A culture of water saving passed down through generations

08:55 – The recipe for success: metering, pricing and behaviour change

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike and Karen are joined by Helen White, Special Adviser on Household Food Waste at WRAP, to explore the surprising connection between food waste and water waste. Helen reveals the staggering scale of what ends up in our bins every day, from 920,000 bananas to over 3 million glasses of milk, and explains the hidden water cost of throwing food away. The episode is packed with practical, easy to follow tips on smarter shopping, correct food storage, and creative ways to use up what you've already bought.

Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction 0:34 – Guest introduction: Helen White, WRAP 0:53 – What is WRAP? 3:48 – The staggering scale of everyday food waste 5:31 – The food waste and water connection 8:21 – Practical tips to reduce food waste at home

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike and Karen are joined by Alistair Chisholm to discuss why water is essential for both people and the environment. They explore future challenges around water supply, the importance of using less, and how everyday actions connect to the wider water cycle. The episode highlights that saving water can reduce pressure on nature while helping secure supplies for the future.

Timestamp

00:00:00 Introduction and guest welcome 00:00:47 Why saving water matters 00:02:00 Future water demand 00:04:30 Balancing supply and demand 00:06:00 The wider water cycle

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike is joined by producer Tom and Emma Clancy for a special outdoor recording along the River Thames in Berkshire. The conversation introduces the “Walking with Water” initiative, which encourages people to explore local waterways and build a stronger connection with the water they use every day. Emma also explains CCW’s role as a consumer advocate, supporting customers and ensuring the water sector works in their interests. The episode highlights why saving water is increasingly important and how small, practical changes at home can make a meaningful difference.

Timestamp

00:00:00 – Introduction and outdoor setting 00:01:40 – “Walking with Water” initiative explained 00:04:20 – What CCW does for customers 00:07:50 – Why water saving matters 00:08:50 – Personal water use and saving tips

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike and Karen speak with Laura from South West Water about water efficiency in the South West. After a dry year, the “Stop the Drop” campaign encouraged customers to use less water, improving reservoir levels and highlighting how small actions make a difference. With ongoing dry conditions, the campaign has evolved into “Save Every Drop”, alongside plans for long-term solutions like desalination. The episode showcases the importance of continuous engagement and sustainable water use.

Timestamp

• 00:00:00 – Introduction
• 00:01:36 – “Stop the Drop” campaign overview
• 00:02:47 – Campaign results
• 00:05:19 – Customer behaviour insights
• 00:08:45 – “Save Every Drop” campaign launch

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike and Karen speak to Dan Angelescu, founder of Fluidion, about the cutting-edge technology being used to monitor water quality in Paris ahead of the Olympics.

They explore how real-time monitoring is helping track pollution levels in the River Seine, the challenges cities face with sewage and stormwater, and whether the river is truly safe for swimming. Dan also explains how new technology can detect bacteria more accurately than traditional lab methods and what that could mean for the future of water quality monitoring worldwide.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction 00:00:53 – What Fluidion does 00:02:16 – Why the Seine isn’t safe to swim 00:03:39 – Global water monitoring 00:04:49 – Real-time alerts and data 00:06:01 – Olympic clean-up efforts 00:08:23 – Hidden pollution sources 00:10:09 – New tech vs lab testing 00:12:01 – Rethinking water safety standards

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, producer Tom and Karen report live from Gardeners' World Live. They speak with Malcolm Moody from the Solihull and District Orchid Society about why orchids are water efficient and how to water them properly, then talk to Josh Fenton about his award-winning show garden, designed to demonstrate water-saving solutions like drought-tolerant planting and a composting toilet.

The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 19/7/2024.

Timestamps:

• 01:43 – Are orchids water efficient?
• 02:54 – Rainwater vs tap water for plants
• 04:34 – Malcolm's top water-saving tips
• 06:59 – Josh's water-saving show garden
• 09:33 – The eco toilet, the "Cuddy"

In this episode of Waterfall, Mike and Karen are joined by Janine Shackleton to explain what customers should expect from their water companies. From accurate bills and reliable water supply to customer service standards, they break down the Guaranteed Standards of Service and when customers may be entitled to compensation if things go wrong.

They also discuss where to find information about your rights, why it’s important to speak up if you’re unhappy with your service, and share practical water-saving tips from everyday life.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction 01:34 – What to Expect from Your Water Company 03:00 – Guaranteed Service Standards 05:09 – Compensation for Sewer Flooding 06:50 – Supply Interruptions and Payments 10:06 – Personal Water Use & Saving Tips

In this special live episode of Waterfall Rapids, recorded at the Institute of Water’s Annual Conference 2023, the team explores the theme “Trust in Water” and why trust is so important when it comes to saving water. Guests include Nicci Russell, CEO of Waterwise, and Nicholas Adjei, Deputy Chief Inspector at the Drinking Water Inspectorate, who discuss why trust matters for water conservation, the value of tap water, and the challenges facing the water sector in maintaining public confidence.

The full-length edition of this episode was originally released on 15/09/2023.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Live show intro

• 00:01:44 – Meet the team

• 00:02:17 – Talk with Nicci Russell (CEO, Waterwise)

• 00:06:16 – Talk with Nicholas Adjei (Deputy Chief Inspector, DWI)

• 00:12:23 – Outro and thanks

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by Evan Joanette, water market specialist and consumer advocate at MOSL, to explore how businesses use water and the vital role they play in reducing demand. Together, they discuss how smarter water use can cut costs, save energy, and reduce carbon emissions, while easing pressure on water resources during times of drought.

Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and guest welcome

01:40 – What MOSL does and how the business water market works

02:55 – Why business water use matters

04:18 – Practical ways businesses can save and reuse water

05:42 – Trade effluent and responsible drainage

08:10 – Personal water use and simple saving tips

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by Alastair Chisholm, Director of Policy at CIWEM (The Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management), for a detailed and stimulating discussion on water’s relationship with the wider natural world. Together, they explore why conscientious water use matters, the growing pressures on the UK’s water resources, and how individual actions can help protect both the environment and future supplies.

00:00 – Introduction and guest welcome 00:47 – Why saving water matters 02:06 – Future water demand and infrastructure challenges 03:13 – One litre saved = one litre back to the environment 04:35 – Balancing the needs of people and nature 05:28 – Rethinking water storage: land, soil and trees 07:31 – Reasons for optimism and the need for action 09:16 – Reflections and conclusion

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike is joined by author and environmental journalist Tim Smedley to talk about his book The Last Drop. They discuss the world's most shocking water crises, from Jordan's disappearing groundwater to the drying up of Lake Mead in the western US, the pros and cons of desalination, and why personal water use still matters. Tim shares how he cut his own household's water use by more than half through simple changes.

The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 14/7/2023.

Timestamps:

• 01:37 – The world's most shocking water crises
• 03:07 – The drying up of Lake Mead
• 05:57 – Desalination: pros and cons
• 08:16 – Cutting personal water use
• 11:26 – Should water cost more?

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Cath and Karen are joined by Nicole McNabb and Nick Mills from Southern Water to talk about a trial using water butts and planters to cut storm overflows. They explain the difference between standard, slow-drain and smart water butts, share strong results from a trial on the Isle of Wight, and talk about the bigger picture: too much hard, non-permeable surface (like driveways) sending rainwater straight into the sewers.

The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 7/7/2023.

Timestamps:

• 01:11 – The problem: storm overflows and runoff
• 02:37 – Isle of Wight trial results
• 03:23 – Types of water butts explained
• 07:04 – Bigger roofs and planters
• 08:05 – Driveways and permeable surfaces

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Cath and Karen are joined by Dr Mark Gush from the RHS to talk about water-wise gardening. He shares simple tips like letting your lawn grow longer to build deeper roots, watering in the morning to cut evaporation, and using mulch to lock moisture into the soil. He also points listeners to the RHS "Mains to Rains" pledge website for more ways to save water in the garden.

The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 23/6/2023.

Timestamps:

• 01:42 – RHS's Mains to Rains pledges
• 04:16 – RHS's own water-saving changes
• 05:04 – Longer lawns, deeper roots
• 08:04 – Best time to water
• 09:11 – Why mulch works so well

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Cath explain why the water pressure drops or the water goes off when it's really hot. It's not because there isn't enough rain - there was plenty over winter and spring. The real problem is that when it's hot, everyone uses much more water at once, and the pipes and treatment works can't keep up. They talk about how companies can get ready for this, why saving water all year round helps, and why South East Water brought in a hosepipe ban - not because of drought, but because their network couldn't cope with demand.

The full length edition of this episode was originally released on 30/6/2023.

Timestamps:

• 00:48 – Is it because of not enough rain? (No)
• 02:11 – Why it really happens: too much demand at once
• 02:41 – How companies can get ready
• 05:58 – Easy ways to use less water
• 07:47 – Saving water helps your community, not just the company
• 09:37 – South East Water's hosepipe ban explained

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by Natasha Wiseman, founder of Make Water Famous, a positive news platform dedicated to connecting people with water in all its forms. Calling in from a camper van in the Pyrenees, Natasha explains how the platform is reaching over half a million people across more than 100 countries by telling water stories through angles people already care about, from swimming and fishing to gaming and food. The episode is a refreshing reminder that people are far more interested in water than the industry often assumes.

Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:39 – Guest introduction

02:24 – What is Make Water Famous?

04:46 – Reaching new audiences with positive water stories

07:43 – Why the water sector needs better storytelling

08:56 – Natasha's personal water use

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike is joined by Matt Croxell, Interim Charity Director at the Royal Life Saving Society UK, to talk about water safety, drowning prevention and the power of water. With child drowning figures having doubled in recent years, Matt explains what is driving the rise, what the Water Safety Code is and how to follow it, and why more than half of all drowning fatalities happen in inland waterways rather than at the coast. The episode also explores the broader message of respecting water in all its forms, from open water swimming to water conservation.

Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:36 – Guest introduction

00:54 – Drowning Prevention Week and rising child drowning figures

02:11 – The link between hotter weather and drowning risk

03:34 – The Water Safety Code explained

05:45 – Connecting water safety with wider water messages

08:23 – Why inland waterways are more dangerous than people think

In this episode of Waterfall Rapids, Mike and Karen are joined by Helen Roberts, a socio-meteorologist from the Met Office, to explore how understanding human behaviour can help us respond better to weather and climate challenges. Helen explains what socio-meteorology is, how cognitive biases shape the way we make decisions and why the right message in the right place at the right time can make all the difference. The episode draws fascinating parallels between weather communication and water efficiency, and introduces a practical behavioural model that could help change the way we all think about water use.

Get in touch with the show with any questions or comments: podcast@ccwater.org.uk

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:34 – Guest introduction

01:02 – What is socio-meteorology?

03:31 – How better messaging drives behaviour change

06:13 – The COM-B model explained

08:47 – Linking weather, water and public awareness in the South West

10:54 – Helen's personal water use