Pass the Dutchie: Popular song part of water campaign to help save money
A popular 1980s hit song by a Midlands band is being used to raise awareness of keeping showers short to save money on utility bills.
Data from Severn Trent and the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) shows that cutting a shower from 10 to five minutes could save a family of four using a water meter up to £700 a year on their utility bills.
Severn Trent has said that Musical Youth’s 1982 hit, Pass the Dutchie, which reached number 1 in seven countries, clocks in at just under five minutes, making it the ideal tune for customers to time their shower.
Pass the Dutchie takes prime position on a special Spotify playlist of five-minute songs, which has been compiled by Severn Trent for customers.
The band also turned up in a Severn Trent TV advert throughout the autumn, appearing in a customer’s bathroom to provide a surprise shower-time serenade of Pass the Dutchie.
Dennis Seaton from Musical Youth said: “Everyone could do with a little bit of support with their bills at the moment, and it’s fantastic that we can play a part in helping people save some money.
"Cutting back on how long we spend in the shower is a small step that can make a big difference and we’re really pleased to be a part of this campaign.”
Sophie Evans-Young, water efficiency manager at Severn Trent, said: “It’s so easy to lose track of time in the shower.
"We all love a singalong, so having a playlist of tunes that you can pop on in the morning can help people to keep their showers to five minutes while getting ready for the day ahead.
“Musical Youth are a Midlands institution and we’re really grateful for them taking the time to help us get the message out to our customers, especially as they’ve got a tour to prepare for.”
With ongoing pressures around the cost of living, Severn Trent and the Community Council for Water have estimated that a family of four on a water meter could save up to £1,300 a year on their utility bills by limiting their water use at home.
For more detail on ways to save water and money around the home go to stwater.co.uk, and search "saving water made simple".
To hear Severn Trent’s Spotify playlist, search Spotify for ultimate water saving playlist.
