Case studies
Real life products, people and places. These case studies demonstrate that water conservation in the home is economically and environmentally beneficial. They also reinforce the view that being water efficient need not involve using inferior products or arduous lifestyles.
A Sustainable House – Mike and Heather Mobbs
This case study highlights how water conservation and self-sufficiency have been implemented in practice in Australia. Furthermore, the ‘Sustainable House’ built by ‘Mike and Heather Mobbs’ in Sydney describes how they’ve also addressed a range of other environmental issues related to renewable energy, energy efficiency and environmentally preferable materials. Their story is a project that we can all learn from and deals with water conservation and efficiency in comprehensive detail from rainwater harvesting and dual flush toilets through to wastewater treatment and reuse. The overwhelming success of the Mobbs’ Sustainable House has been exceptionally well documented in ‘CHOICE’ book published by the Australian Consumers’ Association. For more information about ordering the book visit the CHOICE web site.
This ABC website has an interactive look at the Mobbs' house:
CERES Sustainable Water program
In 2002 the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES) received a grant from the Victorian Government to develop an urban water conservation demonstration and research facility (known as the Sustainable Water program). This funding is being matched by contributions from CERES and its project partners in industry, government and research organisations.
This exciting new project will demonstrate the latest technologies for water conservation and recycling in a variety of settings, including the home, nursery, café and community centre. Accompanying this, the importance of behavioural change and the move to sustainable behaviours, will be communicated.
The McQuire and Orams house
Retrofitting a suburban house for water conservation and reuse. The McQuire and Orams family lives in a standard suburban house in West Brunswick, Melbourne. They have implemented a range of simple strategies to conserve and reuse water around the home.
ABC Radio National Earthbeat series on sustainable houses
ABC's Radio National looks at six sustainable houses in it's Earthbeat series. The series features Australian houses from Melbourne, Sydney, Nimbin and Central Australia as well as unique houses from the US and UK.