Clean water in several houses (5)
I believe the answer is:
rinse
'clean' is the definition.
(I know that rinse is a type of wash)
'water in several houses' is the wordplay.
'houses' indicates a hidden word (part of the clue houses the answer).
'RINSE' is hidden within 'water in several'.
(Other definitions for rinse that I've seen before include "blue one on top?" , "Wash without using soap" , "Mouth cleansing solution" , "Flush" , "Wash in clean water" .)