Consider the following statistics:

The average person in the UK uses around 150 litres of water every day – a third of this used solely to flush the lavatory.

A five minute shower uses around a third less water than a bath. Be careful, though. A power shower gets through more water than a bath in less than 5 minutes.

Around 5 percent of the UK’s Co2 emissions are caused by domestic water heating appliances.

At least 25 percent of your energy bill is caused by heating water. And this does not include your central heating costs.

The energy used to treat, pump and heat the annual water usage of an average UK family produces the carbon equivalent of a return flight from London to New York.

Perhaps the easiest way to save water is to fit flow limiters to your taps and showers. These are easily fitted between the water outlet and the hose on a shower, and on either the tail or spout of a tap.

Or you could change your taps to water-saving designs that have an eco-click cartridge attached. By doing so, you could save up to 70 percent of domestic water usage.

And if you really want to make a big saving, exchange your existing toilet for a double-flush loo. Some manufacturers claim that the flush is as low as 2.5 litres per minute – in contrast to the standard 9 litres per minute.

Modern toilet bowls will have an average height of between 40cm and 41cm, with low-level cisterns. Minimal designs are currently in fashion and most modern toilets will come with plain features. However, there are some new extras, such as two buttons for separate flushes (ideal for using the right amount of water for each flush) and slow-closing lids and toilet seats.

One of the most popular designs at the moment is the wall mounted toilet – ideal for giving an extra sense of space in smaller bathroom suites. The cistern for this type of toilet is also commonly hidden in the bathroom furniture; i.e. a shelving unit built behind the toilet and bathroom sink. However, some of these designs tend to show the pipe work underneath, which is more often finished in chrome, so it would be well to take note if you are looking to match the colour of your bathroom fittings. Having a brass finish for your bath and basin taps with chrome pipe work underneath your toilet will definitely clash.

Another factor to take into consideration for your toilet is where it will be placed. It is recommended to have sufficient leg room around the toilet away from the bathroom sink and shower enclosure, so if you do find you are stuck for space, a wall-mounted design could be the answer.