UK government tells Muslims to use less water for ablutions

The UK government has instructed Muslims to use less water during religious ablutions, as part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing overall water consumption. This directive, issued by the water industry regulator Ofwat, also extends to Asian communities, advising them to use less water when washing rice. The measure is part of a larger program titled “Water Efficiency in Faith and Diverse Communities,” which received funding from Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority. The initiative began with a pilot project in Cambridge, where local Muslims were encouraged to limit their ablution water usage to just one litre. This method, known as “wudu,” involves washing specific parts of the body before prayer. According to Ofwat, the average Muslim uses up to 12 litres of running water for wudu five times a day. By switching to a one-litre method, individuals could potentially save up to 55 litres per day. The pilot estimated that the initiative saved approximately 5,900 litres per day in Cambridge alone. The project was developed through a partnership involving South Staffordshire Water, the University of Cambridge’s divinity faculty, and the Cambridge Central Mosque, which is recognized as Britain’s first eco-friendly mosque. Additional support came from other organizations and water companies. The initiative also included efforts to disseminate the advice through Islamic television channels, while ensuring that water companies did not appear to target specific religious or cultural groups. The approach draws inspiration from historical practices, as the Prophet Muhammad is traditionally believed to have used no more than a litre of water for his ablutions. In addition to focusing on Muslim communities, the program also addressed the habits of Asian populations in the UK, particularly regarding rice preparation. A separate component of the initiative involved £270,000 in taxpayer funds, allocated to teach Asians how to reduce water usage when cooking and washing rice. Celebrity chef Ping Coombes, a former MasterChef winner, participated in this effort, suggesting that washing rice only twice instead of five to seven times could significantly lower water consumption. Despite these efforts, the initiative has drawn criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that water companies should prioritize repairing leaks in the aging infrastructure rather than promoting changes to long-standing cultural and religious practices. In July, Greenpeace UK released a report highlighting that 2.87 billion litres of water, equivalent to over 1,150 Olympic-sized swimming pools, are lost daily due to faulty pipes in England and Wales. The study noted that water companies waste five times more water through leaks than a hosepipe ban would prevent. Shadow minister Mike Wood expressed concern over the allocation of taxpayer funds, stating that families are already struggling with rising utility bills and may not welcome spending on such measures. He described the initiatives as “bizarre schemes” focused on altering traditional customs. An Ofwat spokesperson defended the program, emphasizing that it was designed to offer practical, community-specific solutions without imposing restrictions on religious or cultural practices. The spokesperson added that the pilot concluded in April 2025 and was conducted in collaboration with water companies, charities, and faith groups. In June, the UK government launched a £75 million campaign named “Let’s Save Water,” encouraging the public to reduce daily water use. This national effort aligns with the broader goal of promoting sustainable water management practices across diverse communities.