{
  "id": 2385742,
  "title": "Muslims advised to use less water to perform ablutions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/muslims-advised-to-use-less-water-to-perform-ablutions",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T14:11:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-government-advises-muslims-use-less-water-perform-ablutions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UK's water industry regulator has advised Muslims in the country to use less water during religious ablutions, known as wudu, and Asian communities to reduce water usage when washing rice. This initiative is part of the \"water efficiency in faith and diverse communities\" programme, funded by Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority.\n\nA pilot project in Cambridge encouraged local Muslims to use just one litre of water for their ablutions before prayer, which could potentially save up to 55 litres per day per person, as many people use up to 12 litres for this purpose. This pilot is estimated to have saved up to 5,900 litres per day in Cambridge.\n\nThe advice comes after a £270,000 project that involved a celebrity chef teaching Asians to wash rice using less water. Critics argue that water companies should prioritize fixing leaky infrastructure rather than lecturing people about their water usage habits. The Ofwat spokesperson stated that this pilot worked in collaboration with various faith groups and water companies to provide practical suggestions to save water.",
  "summary": "Muslims advised to use less water to perform ablutions Submitted by Imran Mulla on Fri, 08/21/2026 - 11:46 Initiative by UK's water industry regulator also encourages Asians in Britain to use less water to wash rice The fountain in the Islamic garden of Cambridge Central Mosque, Britain's first eco-friendly mosque, pictured in 2021 (AFP) Off The United Kingdom 's water industry regulator has…",
  "key_points": [
    "UK water regulator advises Muslims to use less water for ablutions",
    "Cambridge pilot project reduced ablution water usage by 55 litres/day",
    "£270,000 project included celebrity chef teaching rice washing techniques"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}