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Save Water and Consume Less Water
We need to be smart about the way we use water or we could end up looking at a dry future. As Australians, we live on the driest inhabited continent on earth. Effective ways to reduce water use start with us. Making just a few changes adds up to big savings for you and the environment.
On your lawn
- Limit your amount of lawn area and use drought-tolerant grass suited
to Australia. Don't mow lawns too short (at least 3cm stalks).
- Care for your lawn by applying compost or organic fertilisers; aerate
the lawn with a fork for more efficient watering and water deeply with
rainwater or greywater (water from your laundry and shower).
- Let your lawn go brown, it will rejuvinate when it rains.
Water-saving devices
- Install a rainwater tank to capture and store rainwater for use on the
garden and lawn (when using water from your rainwater tank, water restrictions
do not apply).
- Greywater systems divert laundry and bathroom (shower, basin and bath)
water onto lawns and gardens. Be carefull not to poison the soil with
all the detergents in the water.
- Connect your hose to your rainwater tank to deliver water directly to
the soil and roots.
- Install a pool cover, this can save up to 100 litres of water a day
that would otherwise be lost to evaporation.
- Install low flow taps to reduce water consumption.
- Check taps for leaks and repair.
- Use a broom to sweep driveways and paths.
In the garden
- Maintain healthy soil. Soils in good condition absorb water best.
- Natural shade trees in the right position can reduce plant water use
and offer opportunities for planting shade-loving native shrubs and ground
covers.
- Mulch beds and pots. This reduces water lost to evaporation by up to
70%.
- Group plants with similar watering needs together.
- Water deeply but less often to encourage strong root systems and hardier
plants.
- Add organic wetting agents (available from garden centres) to help keep
water and nutrients in the soil.
- Water early or late in the day (in accordance with current water restrictions)
to reduce evaporation and don’t water when it’s windy or rainy.
- If using greywater, choose biodegradable products with low levels of phosphorus, sodium, nitrogen and chlorine.
Watersaving devices
- A rainwater tank prevents precious rainwater coming off your roof and
ending up as stormwater run-off. Tanks supply water for outdoor use, flushing
toilets and washing clothes and reduce flash flooding in our creeks.
- A greywater system using water from your bathroom and/or laundry (not
toilet or kitchen) is a good alternative source of water for your garden.
Water can be piped through a flexible hose or bucketed to any part of
your garden and does not require Council approval. If you plan to install
a greywater diversion system, that requires connection to household plumbing
you will need to apply for Council approval.
- A pool blanket reduces pool and spa water loss to evaporation, minimises
chemical use, prevents debris entering your pool and increases the water
temperature by up to 8°C. It can save up to 100 litres of water per day.
As it simply floats on your pool surface, it’s easy to install.
- A watersense lifestyle can achieve water savings in your home. Look
for products with a high Water Efficiency Labelling Standard (WELS) star
rating. Install water-saving devices such as flow restrictors, dual flush
toilets, water-efficient washing machines, dishwashers, shower heads and
taps.
- Reuse water from your house on your garden by placing a basin in your kitchen sink to catch water when rinsing fruits and vegetables and by using a bucket in the shower to catch the water while you’re waiting for it to warm up.