Being water wise

Did you know that less than 3% of the earth's water is freshwater and only a portion of that is accessible for consumption?

Water goes on quite a journey before it makes it to your household tap. All water flows through the 'natural water cycle' which is the process that moves water from the surface of the earth to the atmosphere, back to earth again via rain, snow or hail. Water that makes its way back into our local catchments can then be accessed as a source of water supply. The process of managing water supply to towns and cities is called the urban water cycle which involves a local Water Treatment Plant and a system of infrastructure to pump water to your household.

Water is a precious resource and there are many simple ways that you can reduce your household water consumption.

Below are some top tips on how to be more water wise in your household.

Bucket loads of savings!

Calculate the savings and do a quick household water audit. You would be surprised how much water (and money) you can save from getting into these few simple water wise habits.

• Use a shower timer or play a song to take a 4 minute shower. 
• Use the half flush option on your toilet.  
• Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth.
• Run appliances like washing machines and dishwashers only when they are full.  

Being water wise outside!

You may find from your household audit that a large quantity of water is used in your outdoor areas. There are many ways to save water in your outdoor areas. 

• Avoid watering outdoor areas in the heat of the day and when it is windy. If you have irrigation systems installed, adjust watering schedule if rain is predicted.
• Use mulch in garden beds to help retain soil moisture.
• When starting a garden, use drought tolerant native plants and group plants according to their water requirements. 
• Collect rainwater for use in your yard or to wash vehicles.
• Use a broom when tidying paved or concrete outdoor areas.
• Reduce evaporation from pools and spas by using a properly fitted cover.
• Check plumbing requirements for diverting grey water from baths, showers and laundries for use in your outdoor areas.

Rewards of water efficient products!

A simple way to reduce water consumption is to check if your household appliances are working effectively and are water efficient.

• Check for dripping taps on household plumbing and maintain or fix them - little drops can really add up.  
• Conduct a leak and consumption test at your home if you believe the reading on your Water Notice is excessive.
• When replacing appliances check the Water Efficiency labelling and Standards (WELS) high star rating and compare different products.
• Be rewarded for installing water efficient products through Fitzroy River Water's water saving rebates.

There are so many more helpful resources available to be water wise. Check out some of them below.