1. Fix your faucets
One leaky tap might not seem like it would have a big impact, but it could actually waste around one litre of water per day (based on four drips a minute). If every house in Australia had one leaky tap, that’s a lot of unnecessary water going down the drain! Take the Drip Calculator test to see how much water your leaky taps are wasting.
2. Take water-efficient showers
Switching to a water-efficient shower head will not only save water but also energy – and ultimately money as it will reduce your power bill. You can also save water in the bathroom by challenging yourself to a four-minute shower. Try putting on a song you love and finishing up before it finishes. By knocking ten minutes off your shower, you can save around 90 litres of water!
Go the extra mile and save up to nine litres of water a minute by putting a bucket in your shower (catching and reusing the water from the beginning of your shower while you’re waiting for the water to heat up is such an easy way to reduce water wastage).
3. Give your garden a drink with laundry water
Did you know some laundry products are septic and bio cycle safe (meaning there is no bleach, ammonia or caustic substances used) and are therefore harmless to plants and grass? One such laundry product is Aware Sensitive, a product that Planet Ark endorses for its environmental and health benefits. Instead of letting the grey water from your washing machine go to waste, put the water tube in a bucket and then throw it on your garden to give your thirsty plants a drink.
Planet Ark staff member, Sam, uses grey water on her garden
4. Turn off the tap
We’re all washing our hands more often at the moment, so make sure you’re turning off the tap while you lather up your hands with soap. This simple act can save up to five litres of water in just 20 seconds! It’s important to not leave the tap running while you’re brushing your teeth either.
5. Water your garden when the weather is right
Before you give your plants a drink, check the weather forecast to see if rain is due. If it’s windy outside, wait for it to pass before you water your garden as the wind will likely blow most of the water away. The best time to water your plants is in the morning or early evening. Water them between 6pm and 10am to reduce evaporation during the heat of the day.
6. Make it a full load
Did you know 15-20% of water use in the home is in the laundry? You can save around 10 litres of water each wash by ensuring you only put on the washing machine when you have a full load. Washing your clothes with cold water is also a great way to save water and energy. Plus, it keeps your clothes looking brighter for longer!
By switching to water-efficient appliances such as washing machines you’ll save water, energy and money. Head to Smart WaterMark to learn more.
*Statistics taken from SmartWaterMark.