We use on average of 150 litres of water each in the UK every day. Even though Wales has high levels of rainfall we often don't think about how much water we use as there is such a plentiful supply.
Welsh Water supplies 825 million litres of water per day to our nation around a network of pipes of 26,500km in length!
A lot of work goes into producing the water that comes out of the tap. Electrical energy is used to move water around whether it is through the network of pipes to our homes and businesses or around the treatment works itself. By being careful with the water that we use we are not only saving water but we are also saving energy!
Everyday water conservation tips and facts
Remember there is no new water in the world. We are using the same water that the dinosaurs used! Next time you turn on the tap use as much water as you need but please don’t waste it!
When you HAVE TO leave home
In the 1950s, Liverpool city council was concerned that there would not be enough water available for the people of Liverpool. So they approached the government in London to discuss this and the government decided that the best thing to do was to have a new reservoir in Wales to supply the requirements of the city of Liverpool.
The best way to do this, in their view, was to drown a valley in north Wales - the Trywern Valley, near Bala – even though people were living there!
So, in August 1957, the government decided to drown the Trywern Valley.
THEY HAD TO… there was no choice.
In 2005, Liverpool Council officially apologised to the residents of the area and to Wales for drowning the Trwyeryn Valley.
Underwater lodge
Imagine lying comfortably in bed in the morning... looking out through the window... and seeing thousands of small and large fish of all types and colours swimming outside!
Well, that's the experience you'll get if you go and stay at the hotel under the sea in Key Largo, Florida, USA. Yes, the hotel is under the sea and you have to scuba-dive six and a half metres to reach it!
To reach the lodge, you have to use a special door at the bottom. Then you get to the wet room. This is where you leave the wet suits and have a warm shower before you enter the accommodation itself.
The lodge was an old scientific station, used by scientists to learn about marine life.
It's not a lab now. Today, the accommodation includes three main rooms – a nice big room where you can relax and eat, and two comfortable bedrooms.
The main reason for going to this hotel, of course, is to experience staying under the water and enjoying the incredible scenery outside the large, round windows in each room. And if you want to connect with the big world above, there is a phone.
There will be plenty of tasty food waiting for you in the fridge, as well as a microwave for you to cook. It is also possible to arrange for a "mer-chef" to scuba dive to the hotel to prepare a special tasty meal for you.
So, if you want a relaxing, different holiday, why not?
Golwg y Dyffryn
Llangyndeyrn
Caerfyrddin
SA17 5BN
13/08/2013
Dear Former Villagers of Llangyndeyrn,
It is a pleasure to write this letter to thank you for your tireless efforts in the 1960s to save the Gwendraeth Fach Valley from the clutches of the Swansea Corporation. My family has been part of this close and friendly community for over half a century.
News of a plan to drown the valley where the homes of my ancestors stood came as an unexpected shock for the residents of the valley. You can’t imagine this area without its farms but with a 60ft high dam on the outskirts of the village of Llangyndeyrn. The work of the Defence Committee that responded doggedly to fight to save the valley is also to be commended. Uniting residents to protest and march was a challenge in itself and your love of your neighbourhood motivated you. Everyone played their part in defending the village from Mr Smith ringing the church bell to warn the villagers, to the farmers and their agricultural machinery that created defences.
After five years of fighting and campaigning, August 1963 brought a time to rejoice that Mr Lillycrap had given up his efforts because of your enthusiasm to save the valley. Fifty years later I still celebrate your success as I look through the kitchen window and marvel at the glory of the Valley around me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for fighting in the past to save our present.
Yours faithfully,
Cynan Jones
Official Opening - Channel Tunnel
Friday 6th May 1994
Hundreds of people travel from Britain to France every day. Some people fly, some go by car, bus or lorry and some get on their bike. People have to cross the Channel between Britain and France over water. The water must be crossed by air, boat or ferry.
Today it will be possible to cross the channel through a tunnel. The 'Channel Tunnel' will be officially opened by the Queen and French President Francois Mitterrand at ceremonies in Britain and France.
The Channel separates the South of England and the North of France. It is about 560 km long about 34 km wide between Dover and Calais which is the narrowest stretch. It's much wider in other parts, of course.
Although many people talk about 'the tunnel' under the Channel, there are actually three tunnels:
The tunnels are long and deep. They connect Coquelles, near Calais in France, and Folkestone in England, a distance of about 51 km. They run underwater for about 37.7 km. These are the longest tunnels in the world that go under the sea and are about 50 metres below the seabed. The final cost of the project is £9 billion.
We look forward to travelling to visit our European neighbours and welcome them to our shores.
