6 ways to save water at home

6 ways to save water at home

    By Rachael Ridley  August 13th, 2020

    Australians understand the critical importance of water conservation. But when it’s cold and drizzly outside it’s easy to forget that huge parts of our beautiful country are still drought affected, with some towns even running out of water. Here are some simple ways we can be water warriors for our country by reducing our water use and wastage.

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    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

    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.

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    Rachael Ridley

    Rachael joined Planet Ark in early 2019 after eight years working in media and publishing as a producer, editor, and writer. Rachael loves using her skills in content creation and communication to instigate positive environmental behaviour change. Outside of work, Rachael enjoys spending time in nature, listening to music, and patting dogs.

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