Use less water

There are many simple ways to save water. Water efficiency requires both smart behaviours and technologies…

General tips

• Fix leaking taps. One leaking tap can waste up to 2,000 litres a month. Replace washers as soon as taps begin to leak.
• Choose new 3-star taps, including lever, mixer and quarter-turn styles. They use about half the amount of water as a standard tap.
• Fit tap aerators or flow controllers to your taps if you don’t want to change their look. They can reduce the amount of water you use by more than 50%.
• Follow the tips to also reduce hot water usage
• Check if there are any rebates or incentives to help you

Bathroom

Over 50% of water used in a building is by showers.

• Install water-efficient showerheads to reduce hot & cold water usage
• Install a flow controller if you don’t want to change your showerhead - it doesn't change the look of your existing showerhead
• Take shorter showers, ideally 4 minutes or less. Use a shower timer as a reminder
• Fit an Every Drop Shower Saver to your shower – it quickly switches the water flow on and off while soaping
• Rinse your razor in the basin. Rinsing it under a running tap wastes lots of water
• Turn the tap off while you brush your teeth
• Improve your toilet’s water efficiency
• Use the half flush when flushing your toilet
• Collect the water wasted while your shower water warms up and use it to water your plants, wash your floors and balcony, or boil in your kettle

Kitchen

• Keep a bottle of water in the fridge for drinking instead of running the tap until the water is cool
• Thaw food in the fridge or microwave instead of under running water
• Wait until you have a full load in your dishwasher and use the economy mode. This saves water and energy
• Wash fruit and vegies in a half-filled sink instead of running water
• Choose a dishwasher with a 5-star rating
• Avoid rinsing dishes prior to washing. Scrape food remains off dishes and dispose of scraps in the compost or garbage bin
• Use a plug in the sink rather than letting the tap run continuously

Laundry

• Buy a water-efficient washing machine. Look for a front-loading washing machine with at least 4 ½ stars
• Beware of combination washer-dryers. They save space, but some models can be big water users. The dryer function of these machines can also use water. Always check the manufacturer's information about combination machines
• Wait until you have a full load in your washing machine and use the economy mode
• Use the suds saver function if you have one
• Adjust the water level to suit the size of the load
• Wash your laundry in cold water
• Keep our waterways healthy by using eco-friendly detergent