John and I were saying yesterday that it seems like a lifetime since we broadcast our last issue.  Of course 12th August wasn't actually that far back but I think that what makes it seem so long ago is that in the space of a couple of weeks we've moved from 'proper' Summer weather in the UK of warm sunshine, into what has sometimes looked like the depths of Winter - and it isn't warm either!

During the heat wave in the early Spring we were told to conserve water and warned that hosepipe bans might come into force before long. Now we read that we've experienced the coldest Summer since 1993.

However, cold as it may have been at times, it was still fairly dry and our water stocks have not been replenished, which means we do still have to be careful about our consumption.

I installed a water butt this year and I'm horrified at how much water I'd wasted by not getting one earlier. Now I'm planning to get one for my shed and the front of the house too. There's no excuse for not doing my bit!

I'm pleased to say that the KBB industry is doing its bit too and that this is making a big impact.  A report which features in this week's issue of KBZine reveals that the UK's water saving plumbing products market, which had shown excellent levels of growth until the economic downturn caused it to stall, is now starting to stabilise and is forecast to return to growth in 2011-12.

With the overall market value forecast to be £219 million at manufacturer's selling price by 2015 - an increase of around 33% compared to the estimated market size in 2011 -this is one bandwagon well worth climbing aboard!

Yours,