The UK’s water industry regulator has advised Muslims to reduce water use during religious ablution, the ritual washing performed before prayer, as part of a wider water-efficiency campaign.
The programme, funded by Ofwat, includes water-saving guidance aimed at Muslim and Southeast Asian communities. The advice also encourages households to reduce water use when washing rice.
The initiative has faced criticism from some politicians, who questioned why minority communities were being specifically targeted and whether billpayers’ money should fund such campaigns.
Critics have also argued that water companies should focus instead on reducing the large amount of water lost through leaking infrastructure, rather than placing additional responsibility on households.
