Archive · 24 Aug 2026
UK Drought Campaign Urges Less Rice Washing and Wudu Water
England has had several heatwaves, leaving many rivers and reservoirs with less water.
A new campaign asks people to use less water at home.
One part suggests washing rice twice instead of five to seven times.
The campaign says this could save up to five litres whenever rice is prepared.
It also suggests using the leftover water on plants.
Another part asks Muslims to use a one-litre jug for wudu instead of a running tap.
Some critics say the campaign costs too much and changes familiar practices.
Others question whether washing rice fewer times is always useful.
Water officials say working with different communities may help people save water during the drought.
Ofwat funded a £270,000 campaign to promote water efficiency among diverse and faith communities in England.
The campaign asks households to rinse rice twice rather than five to seven times, potentially saving up to five litres per preparation.
It suggests reusing rice-washing water for plants and, according to campaign material, beauty uses such as hair rinses or facial toner.
A separate initiative with Cambridge Central Mosque encourages Muslims to perform wudu using a one-litre jug instead of a running tap.
Critics question the campaign’s cost and advice, while officials say it tests inclusive conservation measures amid drought and widespread leakage.
- Who
- Ofwat, South Staffs Water, Cambridge Water, Ping Coombes, Cambridge Central Mosque, Imam Sejad Mekic, participating households and Muslim worshippers.
- What
- A £270,000 campaign recommends rinsing rice twice and using a one-litre jug for wudu to reduce water use.
- When
- During worsening drought conditions following five heatwaves in England.
- Where
- England, including South Asian and other Asian households and Cambridge Central Mosque.
- Why
- To encourage lower household water consumption as river and reservoir levels fall and water supplies face pressure.
Campaign Supporters and Officials
Critics of the Initiative
Targeting cultural and religious practices
Campaign Supporters and Officials
Supporters say working directly with diverse and faith communities can make water conservation more inclusive and encourage practical household changes.
Critics of the Initiative
Critics question whether taxpayer and water-bill money should be used to target established cultural and religious practices.
Advice on washing rice
Campaign Supporters and Officials
The campaign says rinsing rice twice can save up to five litres per preparation and presents the change as a simple sustainability measure.
Critics of the Initiative
Some culinary and health experts say rinsing rice can improve texture and may help reduce certain contaminants left from processing.
Campaign spending versus leaks
Campaign Supporters and Officials
Water officials say household conservation is important during water stress and that the project is testing ways to reduce consumption across communities.
Critics of the Initiative
Critics point to an estimated three billion litres of daily leakage and question spending £270,000 on household-behavior campaigns while infrastructure loses large volumes of water.
- Campaign cost
- £270,000, described as taxpayer-funded
- Funding
- Ofwat’s Innovation Fund
- Lead water companies
- South Staffs Water and Cambridge Water
- Rice recommendation
- Rinse rice twice instead of five to seven times
- Potential rice-water saving
- Up to five litres per preparation
- Wudu recommendation
- Use a one-litre jug instead of a running tap
- Reported leakage
- Around three billion litres of water are estimated to be lost through leaks in England each day
Sources
‘Wash rice twice, use less water for wudu’: Over $367,000 UK campaign urges South Asians, Muslims to save water amid drought
UK Drought Campaign Asks South Asian Households To Wash Rice Only Twice & Muslims To Cut Water Use During Wudu
