In your home
Studies show that around half of our water use takes place inside our homes. Of that, most is used in the bathroom. Here are some tips for saving water around your home, which is important for the environment and can help reduce your water bills
Save water in your bathroom
The simplest way to save water in your bathroom is to install a water-efficient shower head, saving up to 11 litres of water every minute. You can also:
- Take shorter showers.
- Install a dual flush toilet to save up to 50 per cent on every flush.
- Check for a leaking toilet cistern by putting food colouring in the cistern. If the colour shows in the toilet bowl without flushing, you've got a leak.
- Turn off the tap when you're brushing teeth, lathering hands or shaving.
- Install aerators on your taps - aerators mix air with water, reducing water flow without affecting pressure.
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Save water in your laundry
One way to save water in the laundry is to use a water-efficient washing machine. You can also:
- Adjust settings to suit load. If your washing machine is only half full, adjust the load setting to the volume of your washing.
- Fix dripping taps. Read our leak detection guide to find out if you have a leak you can't see.
- Install aerators on your taps. Aerators mix air with your water and reduce water flow without affecting pressure.
- Consider using greywater from the laundry on the garden. Before doing this, check you meet required planning, health and plumbing requirements.
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Save water in your kitchen
Save water in your kitchen by installing aerators, which reduce water flow without affecting pressure. You can also:
- Only turn the dishwasher on when it's full and make sure you use the right settings.
- Fill the sink with only the amount of water you need, rather than washing dishes under a running tap.
- Collect water in a bowl or jug whenever you need to run the taps and then use it on your garden. Do this when you're waiting for water to heat up, or washing vegetables.
- Fix dripping taps. Read our leak detection guide to find out if you have a leak you can't see.
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Save water and money by choosing water-wise appliances
To help you choose the most water efficient appliances, Australia has mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS).
Labels apply to all showerheads, washing machines, toilets and urinals, dishwashers and some types of taps. The standards include minimum water efficiency guidelines for toilets. The more stars on the label, the more water-efficient the product.
More handy tips on using water efficiently in your home
Here are some tips on how you can use water efficiently.
The bathroom provides a great opportunity to save water, by installing a water efficient showerhead limiting showers to around 4 minutes, and using a dual flush toilet system, you could save as much as 3,000 litres a year.
Check your toilet for leaks, too. Just put a drop of food coloring in the cistern, and if the colour shows in the toilet bowl, you have a leak, and should call the plumber.
And when you clean your teeth turn the tap off until you need it
in the kitchen, wash full loads in the sink and not under a running tap.
Run full loads in your dishwasher, and in your washing machine, too. And when you're ready to upgrade your appliances, look for water efficient options. The more stars the better.
Little things count, too.
Fix dripping taps with a new washer, and if you think you have a hidden leak, read your water meter.
Avoid using any water for an hour or two, and reread the meter. If the reading has changed, you may have a leak, and should consider calling a plumber.
Easy Read: How to save water at your home
This Easy Read guide shows simple ways to use less water every day.
It uses clear words and pictures to help everyone understand. Saving water is good for your home, your community, and the environment.