Water saving ideas

• Check for leaks in taps, pipes and hoses - one leaking tap can waste more than 2,000 litres a month.
• Install water efficient taps or tap aerators and mixers and use 6-8 litres per minute instead of 15 litres.
• Put the plug in the sink instead of using running water when rinsing dishes, washing fruit and vegies or even your hands.
• Automatic dishwashers can use up to 40 litres of water per load. By using a dishwasher with at least a 3star/AAA rating, you can get this figure down to 18 litres per load.
• Wait until you have a full load in your dishwasher before using it.
• Install a 3 star/AAA rating showerhead and save around 9 litres of water a minute and around $100 per year on your water and energy bills.
• Have a 3 minute shower and use 27 litres of water instead of 54 litres each time.
• Washing machines with a 4star rating use around half as much water as a conventional washing machine - front loading machines use up to 60% less water and around 30% less electricity than most top loaders.
• Use a water efficient dual flush toilet. The old style single flush toilets use 12 litres per flush instead of 4.5 litres. Save 40,000 litres of water per year.

• Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation and the need to regularly top up your pool's water level. Without a cover, more than half the water in your pool can evaporate over a year. Pool covers can save between 11,000-30,000 litres of water per year.
• Install a rainwater tank to provide water for topping up the pool or spa and watering gardens.
• Don't hose paths, patios, driveways. Use a broom instead.
• Wash your car, boat or dog by using a bucket on the lawn instead of using the hose.
• Consider installing a drip irrigation system. It will cut wastage by making sure the water goes only where you need it.
• Water your garden in the cool of the early morning or in the evening. This reduces water loss through evaporation.
• Choose local native plant varieties and other water wise plants - they attract wildlife and mean less maintenance and watering.
• Try not to cut lawns too short. When mowing, cut only the top third of the leaf area, leaving it 3 cm or higher. Reduce water loss even further by saving your lawn clippings to use as mulch on the garden.
• When deciding on a lawn type, go for slow growing, water saving varieties such as Palmetto. They have deep roots for drought tolerance and they don't need mowing as much as other varieties.
• 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.)

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