Water saving tips

Fix leaks

• Repair leaky taps, hoses or fittings.

Watering the garden - hoses and sprinklers

• Water the garden during the cool morning or evening to minimise evaporation.
• Use mulch on gardens to help retain moisture in the soil.
• Soak or drip hoses are more efficient to directly water the garden soil and plant roots.
• Hand held hosing means you can more easily monitor plant health.
• If using a sprinkler, ensure water is not wasted watering the concrete paths. Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. You can use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn it off.  Your garden hose can pour out 2,700 litres or more in just a few hours.
• Choose garden plants that require minimal water and plant in ways that will keep the soil shaded from the sun as much as possible.

Outdoor cleaning

• Clean driveways and cobwebs of the house with a broom rather than a hose.
• Use a small bucket of soapy water to clean your car, boat or bike and only use the hose to quickly rinse off. Ensure any soapy water only goes on to the lawn or runs off on to a garden, not down any outside drains, which take water directly to a nearby stream.

Always repair leaky taps, hoses or fittings - this is one of the best water savings you can make.

• Make sure every load in the washing machine is a full one. If you must wash small loads, use the lowest water level the machine provides.
• Use the 'suds-saver' feature if your machine has one. It reuses warm, soapy water.
• Minimise running water from the tap to soak or rinse items - use a bucket or the sink instead.
• Consider collecting water emptied through your washing machine hose to water the flower garden and trees.

Always fix any leaks in fittings or taps.

• Keep showers short. A three-minute shower can use less than half the quantity of water needed for a bath.
• You can keep a bucket in the shower to collect water for your garden and trees. 
• Install low-flow shower heads or a volume control valve. Low-flow shower heads reduce the water used but do not reduce the quality of the shower.
• Minimise water use when cleaning your teeth. Turn the tap off when brushing.
• Install a dual-flush toilet. You save five litres when you use the half-flush.

Always repair any leaky taps or fittings and try to minimise running water from the tap.

• Wash vegetables or rinse dishes in a bowl of water, not under a running tap. You can re-use the water on pot plants or in the garden.
• Make sure the dishwasher is full before turning it on. Look to buy dishwashers that reduce water use.
• Store drinking water in large jugs or bottles in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water.
• When cooking vegetables, use just enough water to cover them and use a tightly fitting pot lid. You can also steam them, or use a microwave oven.
• Capture wash up or grey water before it goes down the drain and use to water your flower garden and trees.

Are you a business or school doing your bit to protect our precious freshwater resources? Download a poster to let your customers/community know you're a water-wise organisation.

• Water-wise business - every drop helps poster A3 (pdf 19 KB) 
• Water-Wise Business Poster Every Drop Helps A4 (pdf 19 KB) 
• Water-Wise Business Poster - thanks for your help A3 (pdf 20 KB) 
• Water-Wise Business Poster - Thanks for your help A4  (pdf 20 KB)
• Water-Wise School Poster A3 (pdf 19 KB) 
• Water-Wise School Poster A4  (pdf 19 KB)