8 Water-Wise Things to do Now
These simple tweaks around the home can make a big impact on your water consumption
The best thing about water-saving adaptations in your home is you get to feel good twice – first by knowing you’re doing your bit for a better environment, and second when you get your water bill. Combined with a few simple changes to your habits, small changes in your home can make a big difference. From easy (do it now!) to medium complexity (some installation work required), here are 10 ideas to implement. What are you waiting for?
2. Challenge yourself to take a shorter shower
A shower can use anything between 6 and 45 litres per minute. That means a 15 minute shower could cost you anywhere from 90 to a whopping 675 litres of water, so each minute you don’t spend showering will quickly boost the savings. And definitely don’t brush your teeth in the shower – this is not water-efficient at all.
A shower can use anything between 6 and 45 litres per minute. That means a 15 minute shower could cost you anywhere from 90 to a whopping 675 litres of water, so each minute you don’t spend showering will quickly boost the savings. And definitely don’t brush your teeth in the shower – this is not water-efficient at all.
3. Turn off the tap
Did you know that if you turn the tap off when brushing your teeth, you can save up to 6 litres of water per minute? So if you’re brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes twice a day, that could be up to 24 litres of water per person per day! Educate your kids to turn off the tap, too – they’ll soon get into the habit.
Did you know that if you turn the tap off when brushing your teeth, you can save up to 6 litres of water per minute? So if you’re brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes twice a day, that could be up to 24 litres of water per person per day! Educate your kids to turn off the tap, too – they’ll soon get into the habit.
4. Aim for full loads
Always try for full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher. This cuts out unnecessary ‘in-between’ washes, which, if you don’t have a water-efficient dishwasher or washing machine, can save you a ton of water. OK, you might need to buy a few extra pairs of pants, but you’ll quickly make the money back in water savings.
Always try for full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher. This cuts out unnecessary ‘in-between’ washes, which, if you don’t have a water-efficient dishwasher or washing machine, can save you a ton of water. OK, you might need to buy a few extra pairs of pants, but you’ll quickly make the money back in water savings.
5. Reduce your flush
The next fix involves a small adaptation, but tackles one of the largest water-wasters in your home – the toilet. Flushing toilets are truly one of the cornerstone inventions of the modern world, but they can generally do the job with less water. Place a cistern displacement device in your dual-flush toilet cistern to reduce the volume of water used in each flush.
The next fix involves a small adaptation, but tackles one of the largest water-wasters in your home – the toilet. Flushing toilets are truly one of the cornerstone inventions of the modern world, but they can generally do the job with less water. Place a cistern displacement device in your dual-flush toilet cistern to reduce the volume of water used in each flush.
6. Swap your hose for a watering can
Much as showers can quickly use more water than we realise, a garden hose can pump out the H2O at quite a rate, using around 1,000 litres of water an hour. So consider watering your garden with a watering can instead.
In addition, mulching your plants (with bark chips, heavy compost or grass clippings) and watering in the early morning or late afternoon will reduce evaporation, saving water. For more information, check out National Parks Board.
Much as showers can quickly use more water than we realise, a garden hose can pump out the H2O at quite a rate, using around 1,000 litres of water an hour. So consider watering your garden with a watering can instead.
In addition, mulching your plants (with bark chips, heavy compost or grass clippings) and watering in the early morning or late afternoon will reduce evaporation, saving water. For more information, check out National Parks Board.
7. Take advantage of new technology
Always seek to make your home more efficient and take advantage of ever-improving technology whenever you need to replace household goods and products. Where water-saving is concerned, the range is impressive: you can now buy water-efficient shower heads, taps, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers to name a few.
Always seek to make your home more efficient and take advantage of ever-improving technology whenever you need to replace household goods and products. Where water-saving is concerned, the range is impressive: you can now buy water-efficient shower heads, taps, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers to name a few.
8. Check the water meter
Record your water meter reading, then go around the house turning off all taps and cisterns. Go back to the meter and see if it’s running. If it is, then there’s a leak somewhere. Go around looking for obvious leaks like cisterns overflowing into the towel bowl. Otherwise, call in a professional.
TELL US
How do you reduce the water wastage in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
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10 Ways to Help You Save Money and Energy in the Kitchen
Record your water meter reading, then go around the house turning off all taps and cisterns. Go back to the meter and see if it’s running. If it is, then there’s a leak somewhere. Go around looking for obvious leaks like cisterns overflowing into the towel bowl. Otherwise, call in a professional.
TELL US
How do you reduce the water wastage in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Ways to Help You Save Money and Energy in the Kitchen
Spare yourself both one of the most annoying sounds around and a completely unnecessary water-waster: the dripping tap. Entry-level DIY can quickly stop a dripping tap from wasting up to 15 litres of water a day – or almost 5,500 litres a year. Check out one of the many how-to videos online for step-by-step tap-fixing instructions.