We encourage you to conserve water at all times. Here's some simple ways to save water in and around your home.
If you're on the city's water supply see Water Restriction Alert Levels
In the laundry
- Fill the washing machine - always run full loads. This can save up to 125 litres per wash.
- Choose effective cycles - use the cycle with the least rinses. If you must wash small loads, select the lowest water level.
- Use the suds-saver - if your machine has this feature, reuse warm, soapy water for the next load.
- Fix leaks - repair leaky taps, hoses or fittings - indoors and outdoors. This can save up to 32,000 litres per month.
In the bathroom
- Turn the tap off - while brushing your teeth or shaving . This can save up to 10 litres per minute
- Take shorter showers - a 3 minute shower uses less than half the water of a bath - saving 80 litres per shower.
- Check your toilet for leaks - add a few drops of food colouring to the cistern. If colour appears in the bowl without flushing, you've got a leak that needs fixing. Leaks can waste up to 32,000 litres per month.
- Fix leaking taps - even a small drip adds up quickly.
Renovating or building?
- Install water-saving shower heads or a flow restrictor - save around 30 litres per shower.
- Upgrade your toilet - fit a flush saver device or dual flush system to save up to 10 litres per flush.
In the kitchen
- Rinse and peel smart - use a bowl or half-filled sink instead of running water - saves 10 litres per minute.
- Dishwasher - wait until you have a full load and use the eco-setting - saves 125 litres for each wash.
- Waste disposal unit - only run when it's full - saves 10 litres per minute.
- Rinse dishes - fill the sink with water instead of a running tap - saves 20 litres.
- Cold drinking water - keep a jug in the fridge instead of running the tap until cold - saves up to 2 litres per glass
- Cooking vegetables - use just enough water to cover them and a tight-fitting lid or better still, use the microwave.
Saving water outdoors
- Water wise - only give plants what they need. Avoid over-watering or using inefficient irrigation systems.
- Check timers - if your irrigation system is on an automatic timer - switch it off.
- Time it right - don't water during the heat of the day.
- Plant smart - choose hardy, drought resistant varieties, especially on steep slopes where runoff is high. Succulents, cacti and desert plants are easy care and add unique shapes and textures.
- Mulch or compost - cover flowerbeds with organic material to trap moisture, suppress weeds and enrich the soil.
- Mow high - keep lawns longer by using the highest mower setting. Longer grass grows deeper roots and holds more water.
- Reuse shower water - place a bucket in the shower to collect water and use it for pot plants.
- Sweep - don't hose - clean paths and driveways with a broom instead of hosing them down.
- Cover pools - reduce evaporation by keeping pools covered when not in use.
- Bucket wash - use a bucket to wash boats, bikes or cars - only use the hose for rinsing.
- Dual purpose washing - wash vehicles on the grass so you water your grass at the same time.
The process to get clean drinking water to your tap
Wai our water saving champion - tells the journey to get clean drinking water to your tap