Your local community needs a reliable source of clean water and as the population expands and development occurs, these sources of clean water become more important. Some governments impose water restrictions during the hottest of summer months while others raise the price of water which can add up quickly if you are not being careful with how you consume water. There are some things that you can do to conserve water around your home and spend less money on your water bill.

The following comprises a comprehensive list covering area of your home inside and outside:

Bathroom:

• Replace old toilets since newer toilets use less water and are more efficient. A dual flush toilet is much better for water conservation.

• Instead of filling up the tub and taking a bath, have a short shower.

• Is your toilet leaking? Find out by adding food colouring to the toilet tank and if you find that colour in your toilet bowl in an hour that means your toilet is leaking.

• If you are shaving, fill the sink and rinse your razor. Do not run the tap for the whole time while shaving. When you brush your teeth, wet your brush, add toothpaste and brush. Shut the faucet off while you brush.

• Add aerators to your taps to use less water with more pressure.

• Install showerheads with a low flow option.

Laundry Room

• If you need to purchase a new washer, consider a model that is a water saving one and can be adjusted for load size.

• Only wash full loads of laundry.

For All Plumbing:

• If your taps drip, replace them

• Replace older appliances that take more water and are less energy efficient.

Kitchen:

• Fill one sink with hot soapy water for washing and the other sink with hot water for rinsing. Do not run the tap constantly.

• Run your dishwasher only when it is full and if you are purchasing a new dishwasher, find one that offers a light wash cycle.

• Compost your food scraps instead of using a garbage disposal system.

• To prepare, clean, peel and cook vegetables, utilize a sink full of water rather than running your tap constantly.

• Install aerators on your kitchen faucet.

Outside

• When you cut your lawn be sure to set the blades to 3 inches high. If you leave your grass a bit longer it helps to protect the soil with shade and increase moisture retention and offers more surface for sunlight absorption which means the grass will grow thicken and have a better root system. This helps your grass to survive tough weather conditions including the hottest summers and to resist insect damage.

• Water the grass only when it is completely needed – once per week if there is no rainfall. Never water on hot days or on windy days. The best time to water is late at night or first thing in the morning so that the water has a chance to penetrate the soil and reach the grass’s roots.

• Soaker hoses work well for flower beds and gardens.

• If you are over-watering it wastes a lot of water, can cause fungus to grow, promote disease and create shallow roots n plants that are going to be impacted in drought.

• Automatic sprinkler systems should be installed correctly, programmed to deliver an appropriate amount of water and shut off when completed.

• Make use of natural vegetation in your yard and create a smaller lawn. Plant grasses and plants that do not require large amounts of water and add shrubs, ground covers and trees. Native plants in flower beds are adapted to the weather conditions in the area and do not require a massive amount of water to keep them alive.

• Mix compost and other organic materials into the soil to help to retain water and improve the quality of the soil.

• Instead of using a hose to wash down walkways, decks and driveways, use a broom.

• Connect covered containers such as rain barrels to gutters to collect rain water (and prevent insect larvae growth. The water collected can be used to irrigate garden and flower beds.

• When you wash your car, wet it, turn off the hose, wash it, turn on the hose and quickly rinse it.

By working on small water saving measures, you will have a larger impact on your local area by doing your part to reduce the need for water. We use up to 60% of our drinking water to water our yard and gardens and tend to waste that water by watering too much as well as when we sprinkle our driveway and sidewalk instead of our gardens. By conserving water, you will be able to ensure that it is available when you need it and use only the water that you need when you need it.

Images and graphic from Refined Plumbing Sunshine Coast