The average Australian consumes 200 litres of water per day - the highest average of any country in the world. So, as water restrictions come in place for the first time in over a decade, take a look at these simple ways you can save water (and your wallet!).
1. Don’t waste water waiting for the shower to warm up
Rather than letting the cold water in your shower go down the drain as you wait for it to heat up, place a bucket in the shower to collect it. You can then use the water for watering plants.
2. Cut your shower short(er)
To best conserve water, it’s recommended that you shouldn’t spend more than 4 minutes in the shower. However, for many, a shower is a daily ritual and there’s not much better than a nice hot shower, especially in the winter months. Showers tend to use between 9-20 litres of water per minute so keep this in mind next time and watch your shower time decrease.
3. Invest in efficient fixtures and appliances
Swapping out old fixtures is one of the simplest and easiest ways to significantly reduce water consumption. Investing in fixtures such as more water efficient shower heads and low-flow toilets, as well as 5 star water consumption appliances such as dishwashing machines and washing machines can half your water consumption. If you’re tentative about splashing out, just remember that most investments in reduced water consumption will pay for themselves in savings on your next water bill.
4. Watch out for your water bill to spot leaks
If your water bill spikes all of a sudden, it’s likely that it could be due to a leak. Call your local plumber and ask them to check your home’s water pipes for any leaks.
5. Wash your dog outside
If you have a dog, there’s a decent chance you’ve probably got a garden that needs watering. Try killing two birds with one stone and wash your dog in the garden, so that no water is wasted.
6. Wash your car at the car-wash
Unlike at home, most car-washes recycle their water. Consider getting your cash washed at a drive through car wash to save water. Otherwise, if you’re washing your car at home, use either a trigger nozzle or bucket of water to make sure you’re complying with the current water restriction laws.
7. Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth
A tap runs at roughly 6 litres per minute, this adds up quickly assuming the average person spends 5 minutes a day brushing their teeth so make sure the tap is off.
8. Always use full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher
This is a simple one. Make sure you’re getting the most out of your washing cycles and saving as much water as possible.
9. Put tissues in the bin rather than flushing them.
One flush of the toilet uses up to 13 litres of water, so if you’re in need of disposing tissues, put them in the bin rather than flush them and avoid unnecessary water waste.
10. Plant shrubs in your garden
Depending on the size and types of plants in your garden, they can require some serious amounts of water to be maintained. Consider replacing tropical plants with succulents as they thrive on far less water.