NI Water is calling on households to look out for leaking toilets after the latest Household Water Usage results revealed that 72% of respondents have a dual-flush loo. The company cautioned that any toilet, not just dual-flush models, can leak and waste significant amounts of clean water.

The reminder forms part of NI Water's ongoing water efficiency campaign, which encourages customers to ensure their toilets are in good working order and not silently consuming water every day.

Toilets account for roughly 30% of a typical home's water use. While dual-flush designs aim to reduce consumption, they are often linked to leaks from the cistern into the pan — though any toilet can develop a fault that quietly wastes large volumes of treated water.

NI Water Head of Water Strategy Thomas Gardiner said: "The survey shows that dual flush toilets are now a common feature in many homes, with 72% of respondents saying they have one. They can be more prone to wasting water if a leak develops, so it is important for people to know the signs of a leaky loo and to check that their toilet – whatever type it is – is not wasting water without them realising. "A leaking toilet can be hard to spot because the water often runs silently down the back of the pan, but it can waste around 200 to 400 litres of clean water every day. Taking a few minutes to check your loo is a simple step that can help save water, protect the environment and reduce pressure on the water network."

Customers can look for signs of a leak by checking for trickling water into the pan between flushes, listening for a constant running sound from the cistern, or using a leaky loo strip. Free strips and other water-saving items are available by completing NI Water's Get Water Fit audit at www.getwaterfit.co.uk.

Top checks for a leaky loo:

- Look for water running or trickling into the toilet pan between flushes.

- Listen for a constant running sound from the cistern.

- Use a leaky loo strip from www.getwaterfit.co.uk to see if clean water is escaping into the pan.

- Try the tissue test: wipe the back of the pan dry with toilet paper 30 minutes after a flush, place a dry sheet across the back, and leave it for a few hours (or overnight) without flushing. If the paper is wet or torn in the morning, you have a leaky loo.

- Fix any continuously running toilet as soon as possible — they are generally straightforward for an approved plumber (www.niwater.com/watersafe-approved-plumber/) or a confident DIY-er to repair.