Top 10 Tips to Save Water in Brisbane
With Brisbane’s population on the rise, water conservation is becoming an increasingly important issue. But the good news is that the City Council is committed to using water wisely. And you can help. Here are ten of the easiest ways for Brisbane families to save water.
1. Drive your car onto the lawn before you wash it
Why let all that water you’re using to wash your car run pointlessly onto the concrete? Use it to not only get your vehicle sparkling clean, but also keep your lawn hydrated. Say goodbye to hours of sprinkler time.
2. Fix your taps and fixtures
Believe it or not, a dripping tap can waste up to a litre every hour. Over the course of a week, that adds up to enough water for an entire bath. So get busy, mending every single leaking tap or fixture both inside and outside your home.
3. Turn the tap of, every time you’re not using it
It’s all too easy to keep the tap running while you’re brushing your teeth or washing your face. But did you know that leaving the tap on can cost you as much as 6 litres per minute! Given that most of us are taught to brush our teeth for a full 2 minutes, there go 12 litres.
4. Invest in water-saving shower heads
Water-saving shower heads go through 9 litres per minute, in comparison with old-school ones, which churn through 20 litres per minute. If you’re worried that a water-saving shower head might mean reduced water pressure, you can relax. New technology has enabled the development of the pulsating shower head, which saves water by switching the water on and off 30 times per second. The movement is so quick that you can’t feel it. But the environment can.
5. Have shorter showers
Never shower for more than five minutes. And either order or encourage your family members to do the same. Another option is to set a water timer, so that you know when you’ve used 35 litres.
6. Invest in a dual-flush toilet
A dual-flush toilet uses up to 60% less than a traditional model. For an average family, this can equate to a saving of up to 80 litres of water every day.
7. Opt for a front-loading washing machine
Where a top-loading machine requires about 130 litres per load, a front-loader does the job with just 65 litres. If you wash your clothes once per week, you’ll save 3,880 litres per year.
8. Insulate the water pipes
Exposed water pipes can take quite a while to warm up during winter. Insulate them so that you don’t waste litres while waiting for hot water to come through.
9. Create gullies in your garden
This is an excellent way to reduce the need for watering. The gullies will capture excess rainfall, which would otherwise run off and vanish.
10. Buy a rainwater tank
By purchasing a tank, you don’t have to stress so much about groundwater supplies and rivers – instead, you can take advantage of clean, renewable rainwater. Buy a high-quality cross-controller switch, so you never waste a drop.
