home water saving tips
With the destruction to our bushland, animals, homes and communities across Australia caused by aggressive bushfires and unforgiving droughts this spring and summer, we all need to be more conscious of our water use.
Our usable water supply is finite…in other words, we do not have an endless supply of water. Water is precious!
Unfortunately, Australians are amongst the highest consumers of water per capita globally. We’re putting our water supply at risk.
If each of us makes some small effort to decrease our water use, we can have a substantial impact on our supplies. Taking steps to reduce water use can help protect and preserve the environment, minimise water shortages, and lead to significant water bill savings for your household.
You can significantly reduce your usage and save water by following these simple steps:
- Check your water bill each quarter. How does your family’s usage this quarter compare to the last, to the local average and to the same time last year? Set challenges for your family to try and come under your previous bill’s usage. You can also monitor your water meter to create a fun, water saving challenge for the family.
- Regularly check all your taps and pipes in your home and outdoors for leaks. Depending on the type, a running tap can use up to 12 litres of water per minute and a dripping tap can waste up to 20,000 litres per year.
- When looking for new appliances, such as a washing machine, always review the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) label and choose options that have a better water usage rating.
- Be conscious of the way you use your dishwasher. Most modern dishwashers are more water efficient than hand washing. However, it pays to wait until your dishwasher is full before turning it on.
- Whilst most households in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Valley region have access to the mains water supply, installing a rainwater harvesting tank can significantly reduce water use. Installing a rainwater tank on your property can reduce water use by up to 100 per cent.
- Consider keeping a bucket in the shower to catch the spray and spare water while you wash. Opt for eco-friendly soaps so you can use the water you save on your garden and grass.
- Ensure your roof has a gutter system to collect water and connect your gutter system to your rainwater tank.
- Choose your favourite four-minute song and use it to time your showers. Keeping your shower within the four-minute limit can make a substantial difference to your home’s water usage.
- Insulate your hot water pipes so your water heats up faster. You’ll spend less time running your shower whilst waiting for the water to heat up.
- Use aerators on your taps to reduce water waste and install water-efficient showerheads. The aerator is a small attachment that can be fit to the end of the tap or inserted into the spout to reduce water use. A water-efficient showerhead could save 10,000 litres of water per year.
As Australian’s conditions change, it’s important to keep an eye on the Hunter, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie water restrictions so you understand your requirements as a household.
Every drop counts! So every little thing your household can do to reduce your water usage footprint can have a much larger impact on the water supply in your community.
Contacting a plumber first can be a great way to set up your home for water efficiency. Hunter Eco Plumbing offers a team of local, licensed plumbers who specialise in residential plumbing and water saving solutions for households and businesses in Newcastle, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie and Maitland.
Get in contact with your local plumber today!
P: 0488 123 034