Water Saving Tips

An average Australian family can easily use some 250,000 litres of water a year. Four families would use a million litres! Multiply this by the number of families in Australia and the volume is huge.

When you consider that well over half this water goes down the kitchen sink, shower, laundry and toilet it's well worth installing a Total Poly Rainwater Tank to reduce your actual water usage by at half or more.

To maximise your water savings, here are some handy tips provided by the Australian government:

Water Saving Tips for Your Home

• Check for leaks in taps, pipes and dishwasher hoses: an easy way to reduce water wastage. One leaking tap can waste more than 2,000 litres a month.
• The most water efficient methods for cooking vegetables are microwaving, steaming or using a pressure cooker. You can also cut down on water loss by using tight lids on pots and simmering instead of boiling rapidly.
• Installing water efficient taps or tap aerators is a great, inexpensive way to cut your water usage without you even noticing.
• Put the plug in the sink when washing your hands instead of holding them under running water.
• Thaw frozen foods before you need them or use the microwave instead of placing them under running water. Prevent taps from leaking by turning them off lightly. Replace washers as soon as they begin to leak.
• Automatic dishwashers can use up to 40 litres of water per load. By using a dishwasher with at least a 3 star/AAA rating, you can get this figure down to 18 litres per load and still get the kind of sparkling clean dishes you're used to. It's best to wait until you have a full load in your dishwasher before using it. This saves water and energy, and reduces the amount of detergent entering the sewerage system.
• Keep a container of water in the fridge so that you won't need to run the water down the sink until it's cool enough to drink.
• Washing fruit and vegies in a half-filled sink instead of under running water is a great way to cut back on water wastage.
• Rinsing your dishes in a plugged sink rather than under a running tap saves water and is just as easy and effective.
• Use a sink strainer.
• Try to use phosphate-free, eco-friendly detergents and cleaning products; they're much better for our environment.
• Regularly clean the lint filter on your washing machine. Most have a load adjustment button or dial, so set this to match the amount of washing you're doing. If your machine doesn't have a load adjustment function, try to wait until you have enough washing for a full load. Installing one of the latest 3 star/AAA rating showerheads can give you a great shower and save you around 10 litres of water a minute. They also save you energy costs, as you'll use less hot water.
• To rinse your razor, run a little water into a plugged sink. Rinsing your razor under a running tap wastes lots of water.
• There's no need to leave the tap running while you brush your teeth. Simply wet your toothbrush before you begin and use a glass of water to rinse your mouth.

Water Saving Tips for Your Garden

• Keep the water level of your pool halfway up the skimmer opening. Overfilling stops the skimmer working efficiently and wastes water.
• A pool cover reduces evaporation and the need to regularly top up your pool. Without a cover, more than half the water in your pool can evaporate over a year.
• If you need a watering system consider installing a drip irrigation system. It will cut wastage by making sure the water goes only where you need it.
• A good soaking every now and then with a hand-held hose will help make your lawn more drought resistant by encouraging deeper roots.
• To help establish your new lawn and minimise the water it requires, apply a light top dressing to your lawn. Talk to your local nursery or landscape supplier about a suitable weed-free, sand based, organic top dressing mix.
• When planting new garden beds, group plants with similar watering needs together.
• Don't mow lawns too short. Cut only the top third of the leaf area, leaving it 3cm or higher. Reduce water loss even further by saving your lawn clippings to use as mulch on your lawn or garden.
• Regularly check your outdoor taps, pipes and plumbing fixtures for leaks. Just one dripping tap can waste 2,000 litres a month.
• Use deep mulch and add compost to your soil. These add nutrients and help to retain moisture and reduce evaporation.
• Water the roots and soil around plants rather than spraying the leaves and flowers.
• Watering your garden in the cool of the early morning or evening reduces water loss through evaporation.
• Paths, patios and driveways must never be hosed. Use a broom, rake or outdoor blower or vacuum instead.
• When washing your car, park it on the lawn and use a bucket for washing and rinsing. This way you can save water, as well as water and fertilise your lawn - car shampoos use phosphates that are similar to many fertilisers.
• When deciding on a lawn type, go for slow growing, water saving varieties like Palmetto. They have deep roots for drought tolerance and they don't need mowing as much as other varieties.
• Choose local native plant varieties and other water wise plants; they also attract wildlife and mean less maintenance and watering.
• Watering a level garden for longer, but less often, promotes deeper roots and hardier, healthier, drought tolerant plants. Remember to only use a hand-held hose or watering can or install drip irrigation. (About 12 millimetres of water an hour is enough for most sessions.)