It’s a bitter irony that when we most need to conserve water, we’re most likely to over-use it. During the dry summer months, when the water levels in dams and reservoirs are falling, many consumers are thinking of long cool showers, freshly filled pools and well watered gardens. However, there is a solution to this seasonal consumption problem, and the good news is that it’s a surprisingly painless one. It begins with the recognition that a few quick and easy water saving tricks is all it takes to make a major difference. Here are twenty of the best:
General water saving tips
1. Check your water bill. You’ll probably be amazed at how much of this precious resource you’re using. Set a target amount or percentage that you want to save and monitor your progress. You can expect to save several thousand gallons over a twelve month period. Of course, by conserving water you’ll be making a difference to your finances as well as to the environment.
2. Stop those drips! Check carefully, both indoors and outdoors, for leaking pipes, taps and hoses. Install new washers on dripping taps and fix or replace any faulty pipes. A few leaks may be hidden, so plan a two hour period without any water usage, read your water meter at the start and end of the period, and see if any change has been recorded.
3. Be a good role model. Encourage other family members, especially younger children, to save water at every opportunity. Model the kind of behaviour you’d like them to follow by turning off taps securely, not running unnecessary tap water, and re-using grey water on the garden. Also try to model the right way of doing things when you’re washing the car or watering the garden. A friendly neighbour might just decide to follow your lead.
4. Seek further advice. There are literally hundreds of ways you can cut down on your water usage. Your local water management company will almost certainly have helpful tips to share, either in pamphlets or on their website. If you’re after even more useful ideas for hot, dry summers, try searching the ‘net for water saving tips from Australia. Living on the world’s driest continent means that water conservation is a way of life for Aussies, and they’ve come up with many ingenious ideas.
5. Use rain water even when it’s not raining. Install a rainwater tank to suit your budget and outdoor space and you’ll have plenty of water for gardens, washing, or even a bit of water play on a hot summer’s day. If this isn’t possible, use a barrel or some other method to catch runoff from guttering.
Simple and effective ways to save water indoors
6. Use washing machines and dishwashers only when they’re full. Even though most washing machines let you modify the water level depending on the load, it’s still more efficient to do bigger and fewer loads. The waste water should be diverted to your lawn rather than flushed down the drain.
7. When hand washing dishes, don’t rinse with running water. It’s better if you rinse in a basin or bucket of clean water which can then be emptied onto gardens.
8. Showers can be extremely wasteful. Replace your old shower head with a more water efficient model, and don’t make the jet any harder than it needs to be. It’s also a good idea to put a bucket in the shower to catch the water as it’s heating up. Oh, and have shorter showers!
9. Insulate your pipes so that you get hot water faster.
10. Toilets can be extremely wasteful. If your toilet isn’t a dual flush, think about replacing it. Similarly, if water is running constantly, you’ll need to either adjust or replace it. Some toilet leaks can be hard to detect, so try putting food dye into the cistern. If there’s a slow leak, you’ll soon notice colour in the bowl.
11. Turn off the water when it’s not being used. This sounds rather obvious, but it’s amazing how often we wash hands, faces and teeth with running water. It’s better to use a partially filled sink. The same strategy should be used when shaving.
12. We all need to drink more when it’s hot and dry, so keep a pitcher of water cooling in the fridge. This is a lot more water efficient, and refreshing, than heading to the tap every time you’re thirsty.
Using water wisely outdoors
13. If you need to use water outdoors, try to do it when evaporation isn’t such a factor. Watering gardens and washing cars is best done early in the morning or at dusk. Similarly, if you’re washing or watering in windy conditions, you’re almost certainly spraying water where it’s not intended.
14. Don’t wash your car on a driveway. If possible, wash it on the lawn so the grass catches the runoff. Also, sponges are preferable to hoses, but if you do need to use a hose, have it fitted with a shut-off nozzle.
15. Wash your pets on the lawn too. If you do use a pet bath, empty the water over plants and not down the drain.
16. Adjust your lawnmower blades so the grass is cut longer during the summer. This encourages root growth and helps the soil to retain moisture.
17. Your local nursery will be able to offer advice about the water requirements of various plants. They’ll help you select drought-resistant shrubs, ground covers and trees. When it comes time for planting, group together those with similar needs so that so don’t over water some while neglecting others.
18. A general rule is to water deeply, but less often, in order to stimulate root growth and develop hardiness in your plants. If your garden is on a slope, water for a short time only, then repeat when the water has been absorbed. It’s a good idea to water only when necessary as over-watering can be more damaging than under-watering. Before you get out the hose or turn on the sprinklers, check soil moisture with a trowel or fork.
19. Many fertilizers can increase a plant’s need for water so try to avoid them during summer. It’s more useful to liberally apply organic mulch which retains soil moisture and inhibits the growth of weeds.
And finally
20. Stop and think. So much water wastage is due to simple carelessness. Take a moment to pause and reflect: ‘Is there a better way I could be doing this?” Water conservation is all our responsibility, and we all have the ability to make a difference. Each gallon we don’t waste is water that be used for things we really need or want, even during those long, dry summer days.
