Thirst aid
Despite the big drought, we Sydneysiders are some of the most wasteful water users in the world. Kate Hamilton tells us how to fix this leak
Sharing a bath with a loved one is a dirty way to get clean
Australians are some of the highest consumers of H20 in the world, with the average household using between 150,000 and 300,000 litres of fresh water per year. The deluge Sydneysiders have endured this summer has quenched the thirst of our lawns but our water situation is still dire so it’s as important as ever to do your bit by implementing Time Out’s easy water saving strategies.
1 Install a rainwater tank
Take advantage of every heavenly downpour and collect as much of the wet stuff as you can. Rainwater tanks are an effective way to reduce the amount of water you have to pay for and the water can be used for most household purposes, although whether or not you should drink it will depend on the state of your roof. Sydney Water’s Rainwater Tank Rebate Program now offers a rebate of up to $1,500 when you install a rainwater tank for household use, including toilets and or washing machines. Go to www.sydneywater.com.au to find out more.
2 Don’t flush the toilet
…unless you have to. That’s right, we recommend following that golden adage: if it’s brown flush it down, if it’s yellow let it mellow. Old style single-flush toilets use up to 11 litres of water every time you flush, but a modern dual-flush system can more than halve that. You can also install a toilet regulator (available at your hardware store), which means the flush will last for only as long as the button is held down.
3 Fix your leaks
A slow leaking tap can waste up to 20,000 litres of water a year. Sceptical? Catch it in a bucket and you’ll be surprised. Most leaks are easily fixed by replacing the washer in a tap or tightening the connection in a washing machine. Put a few drops of food dye in your toilet cistern to check for slow leaks. If the water in the bowl changes colour, it’s bad news. Call a plumber if you’re not comfortable playing the handyman role – you’ll save money in the long term.
4 Share your bath
Find someone to have a bath with and you’ll only need to use half the amount of water to get clean (or dirty, depending what you get up to under the bubbles). Don’t pull the plug when you’re done. Instead, recycle the water by using it to flush the toilet, water the garden and house plants or wash the car.
5 Pay a little, save a lot
For Aussies the days of washing the family car on the driveway and mucking around spraying the kids are distant memories. Many states now ban the use of hoses to wash the car so your best bet is to drop into a commercial car wash, with equipment specially designed for the task, for a 100 per cent recycled water car-cleansing experience.
6 Form good habits
It’s one of the simplest ways to save water but it’s still overlooked. A classic example: Don’t leave the tap running while you brush your teeth. You’ll save ten litres of water every time you shine your toothy pegs.
7 Plug it
Most of us rarely consider how much water runs down the plughole when we wash our hands, rinse the dishes or clean fruit and veg in the kitchen sink. Put the plug in first, then recycle the water on your plants and always use a sink strainer to ensure food scraps don’t block your pipes or clog the waterways.
8 WaterFix for next to nix
To make sure your taps and fittings are water-efficient the Sydney WaterFix program will send a professional plumber to your home for only $22 (including parts). If you’d rather do it yourself contact Sydney Water for a free DIY water saving kit. (www.sydneywater.com.au)