Saving Water

With Australia facing major water shortages, it’s crucial everybody uses water as wisely as possible.  The good news is, you can make a difference by using water conservatively.

How to Conserve Water

As Australia’s population grows we will use increasing amounts of our most precious resource – water.  It is a renewable resource but we need to use it wisely.  Some simple changes at home will make a big difference to the amount of water you use.

Each Australian can help save the country literally millions of dollars each year by simply reducing the amount of water they use each day.  And it can all be done without affecting our lifestyle.

In the Home – Save up to 50% of water use

Here’s a quick look at conservation indoors, where more than half of typical household’s water is used.  The bathroom consumes most (this includes the toilet, shower and bath); next comes washing machines and dishwashers.  For example, you can cut the water you use while showering by more than 50%.  You won’t just save water, you’ll also save the energy it takes to heat it!

• Save up to 50% in the Toilet – A water efficient dual-flush toilet uses only 6 litres or less per flush.  An older style toilet uses 11-12 litres per flush.  A silent leak in a toilet can waste 225 litres or more a day.  Check toilets for silent leaks by placing a few drops of food colouring in the tank.  Wait 15 minutes.  If the colour appears in the bowl, you have a leak and should have it repaired.

• Save up to 50% in the Bathroom – A water efficient low-flush shower head delivers 9 litres to 15 litres a minute (90-150 litres for a 10 minute shower).  A standard shower head can deliver up to 25 litres a minute when fully open (that’s 250 litres for 10 minute shower).

• Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth or shaving and save 5 litres of water each time.

• Save up to 35% in the Laundry – Washing machines can use between 90 to 200 litres of water per load!  Be sure to choose carefully the one that suits you best and match the load setting on the washing machine with the amount of laundry to be washed.

• Save up to 20% in the Kitchen – An efficient dishwasher uses no more water than hand-washing dishes and half that of older models.  Remember to fully load before using, and choose the correct cycle.

• Clean fruit and vegetables using water in a plugged sink rather than under a running tap.

• Save more than 50% Outside – Use a broom to clean paths and driveways.  10 minutes spent hosing pavements uses 200 litres of water.

• Wash your car using a bucket and sponge.  Hose only for a quick final rinse.  By washing the car on the lawn, your grass gets some water as well.

• Regularly check taps and pipes for leaks.  600 litres per day is wasted by a continuously dripping tap.

For more information on saving water the following brochures are available in Adobe PDF format.
If you do not have the Acrobat Reader please click on the button below to obtain your free copy.

Water Efficient Shrubs

Waterwise Watering and Irrigation Systems

Saving Water and Money with your Existing Lawn

Meeting Australia’s future water needs calls for everyone to take conservation measures, everyday! 

Most people find it hard to believe that the actual average use (for a four person household) is from 700 to 1100 litres a day!

For all your water saving devices

If you are looking for a water saving shower rose, a water probe for the garden or a book on drought tolerant plants, you should visit Waterbusters.

Waterbusters is a young company that was born in country Victoria following the recent drought. Although a harsh reality, the drought has brought into focus how precious our water resources are. 

While Waterbusters is selling water saving products, their philosophy is to help, even in the smallest way, educate and promote water saving as a new way of life.

If everyone saves a little bit then we can all play a part in preserving our precious water for future generations.

So for all your water conservation needs visit www.waterbusters.com.au

How to Protect Water

Keeping our water clean and healthy is a job that begins at home.  You may be polluting rivers, oceans, wetlands or groundwater without realising it.

• Use less fertilisers and pesticides on lawns and gardens.  These can seep into groundwater or get washed into your local waterways.  Nutrients from fertilisers are a major cause of blue-green algae, while high levels of pesticides in our waterways can result in the death of fish and other marine life.

• Protect the banks of streams and rivers and the vegetation growing on them.  Don’t allow vehicles or animals to disturb and degrade them.  Always leave a buffer of vegetation to act as filter for soil, nutrients and other pollutants.

• Use house cleaning products which are low in phosphorus.  High phosphorus levels in streams are another major cause of blue-green algal blooms.

• Your toilet is not a garbage bin.  Do not dispose of tissues, cotton buds, tampons, sanitary napkins, or other undesirable objects in the toilet.

• Place used cooking oils in a jar or carton and put it in the garbage bin.  Household cooking oils poured into the sink can clog pipes, and can pollute our waterways.

• Take used motor oil to a service station that advertises collection for recycling.  Your local council can tell you where motor oil can be disposed of.  A single litre of motor oil down the drain can pollute 9500 litres of water.

• Wash your car on the lawn.  This stops the detergent from flowing into the stormwater system, and also waters the lawn.

• Never pour leftover paints or solvents down the sink or drain.  Place used solvents in a tin or jar and stuff with newspaper before resealing.  Ask your local council about arrangement for collection of all hazardous waste.

Being waterwise is all about protecting and conserving our water and getting involved in community decision making about our water resources. 

For more great ways to save water visit savewater.com.au or awa.asn.au.