Want to use less wai (water) at your place? Making small changes can result in a big reduction in your water use.
Check out these top tips for saving water around the home and garden.
- Always use a twist or trigger nozzle when using your hose.
- Water your garden in the early morning or the evening to avoid evaporation
- Use a timer with your sprinkler or irrigation system and be mindful of where you position it so that you are watering plants, not paved areas.
- Use a cover on permanent and portable pools to prevent evaporation and use appropriate chemicals to keep the water fresh.
- Use a broom and/or bucket instead of a hose to clean hard surfaces such as footpaths and driveways.
- Wash your car/boat/caravan on an area of lawn where possible, and try and use a bucket and sponge rather than a hose where possible.
- Shorten your shower – it saves water and reduces power costs.
- If your children like to play under the sprinkler, or have toys that attach to the hose, use a timer and don’t forget to turn the water off at the end.
- Use water from your rainwater tank or grey water wherever possible.
Five R's
When trying to save water, think about the 5 R's below:
- Reduce - Look for ways to use less water.
- Repair - Fix leaks fast.
- Replace - When renovating or building, choose the most water-efficient appliances you can.
- Retrofit - Change your current appliance’s water efficiency by adding a feature that doesn’t limit performance but reduces water use.
- Reuse - Catch rainwater or grey water (from the shower) and use for pot plants and the garden.