Saving Water At Home

Water in the home is taken for granted and often wasted. Saving on hot water also reduces energy consumption. Less water, less energy, less cost. Conserving water will be vital to the future of communities in our dry state of South Australia.

Saving water in the BATHROOM

• Use water-saving shower heads and taps
• Take shorter showers, use a plug in the handbasin
• Insulate the exposed hot water pipes
• Use a dual flush toilet

Saving water in the LAUNDRY

• Front loading washing machines use less water and energy
• Washing full loads is more efficient
• Saving water in the KITCHEN
• Use a water-efficient dishwasher (full loads more efficient)
• Use a plug in the sink
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator
• Saving water in the GARDEN
• Use a drip fed irrigation system
• Mulch heavily to reduce evaporation
• Native trees and shrubs need less water

Refer to SA Water or www.savewater.com.au for other useful tips

CHECKING FOR LEAKS in your taps and water pipes

Turn off all taps before going to bed at night and note the reading on your water meter. Check the meter again before using any taps in the morning - if the readings differ then you have a water leak. Fix leaks promptly.

The value of water saved by a family of 4 can be approx $500 per year in an average size home with water saving features and careful usage

RETENTION of water on site

Roofs - clean the roof (keep it free of toxins) and protect the gutters from debris if you intend collecting the water for drinking purposes. Add a first flush diverter to the rainwater tank, and divert its overflow pipe to the garden.

Water tanks - install a properly sized tank (depends on rainfall and catchment area available). Rainwater is ideal for hot water systems and washing, but check the quality of the water before drinking - see the attached diagram of an integrated house/tank system.

Note: Tanks should be cleaned out every 2-3 years

Surface water - divert water from paved areas to gardens via open drains, swale drains on sloping sites, or to an in-ground tank with a pump for use in the drier seasons.

Re-cycled water from Bathrooms (light grey water) can be diverted to a small in-ground tank where it is pumped to toilet cisterns for use - thus avoiding the ridiculous waste of flushing toilets with quality water.

Note: Greywater systems should be approved by the Dept of Human Services, phone (08) 8226 7100

Download as a PDF document

...1000's of Adelaide home owners and buyers assisted

back to top