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Saving Water in the Bathroom
- Water efficient showerheads - in Victoria, 29% of the water we use inside the house is used in the shower. That's a lot, but that means it is also an area where we can save enormous amounts of water. Old showerheads can use up to 18 litres per minute, while the new efficient shower devices use only nine litres per minute. This all adds up when you consider a four minute shower everyday uses 26,000 litres and water efficient units uses only 13,000 litres. There is no real difference in pressure as they have been designed so that air is also forced through the outlet.
- Don't have the thermostat set too high - adding cold water to reduce the temperature is really wasteful.
- Tap aerators and flow restrictors - to reduce water consumption there is no need to replace your tapware. Both tap aerators and flow restrictors can be fitted to your existing tapware.
- Flow restrictors are placed inside the tapware and reduce the amount of water which is able to flow through. They don't cost much and can be fitted yourself.
- Always turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
- When shaving, half fill the sink instead of using running water.
- Toilet - if replacing your single flush toilet is out of the question - try a cistern weight to reduce the amount of water per flush. They work by allowing the toilet to flush for the time you hold down the button.
- Or what about placing a brick in the cistern to reduce water - basic yet effective.
- Also check for leaks as cisterns can leak. A really easy way to do this is to place a few drops of food dye into the cistern. If coloured water appears in the toilet bowl before the toilet has been flushed you have a leak which is potentially wasting 1000's of litres of water each year.
Saving Water in the Kitchen
- Aerators and flow restrictors can reduce water consumption by 50% and they can be fitted to your existing tapware.
- Keep water in the fridge - this saves running the tap until the water is cool enough to drink.
- Make sure the dishwasher is full before use.
- When buying new appliances look for water efficient appliances - they will save you money in the long-term.
- If you don't have a dishwasher, use your two bowl sink for rinsing dishes rather than running the tap.
Saving Water in the Laundry
- 15-20% of the water used in the house is used in the laundry. It is a place were we consume a great deal of water, energy and chemicals.
- Make sure you adjust your water levels according to your load in your washing machine and wait until you have a full load before use.
Saving Water Around the Home
- A slow dripping tap can waste up to 20,000 litres a year. It could be as simple as just replacing a washer.
- Aerators and flow restrictors can reduce water consumption by 50% and they can be fitted to your existing tapware.
| Links |
External Web Links www.chw.net.au - Central Highlands Water |