Crossword Genius

Was economical with water again the day after (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spared

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'was economical' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'water again the day after' is the wordplay.
'water' becomes 'spa' (I've seen this before).
'again' becomes 're' (prefix meaning 'again').
'the day' becomes 'd' (abbreviation for day).
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'spa'+'re'+'d'='SPARED'

'with' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spared that I've seen before include "Avoided incurring" , "forgiven" , "Dealt leniently with" , "Voluntarily parted with" , "Saved" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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