Water Saving Targets
Water saving targets offer a way to reduce your water consumption similar to water restrictions but with greater flexibility. Here are some simple hints to help you reach your target.
Water saving targets are a great way to help you to reduce your water consumption. Some water providers are now introducing voluntary targets to help their communities reduce water consumption during prolonged dry periods.
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| Activity | Approximate Cost | Estimated Saving |
| Reduce shower time by 2 minutes | $0 | 18 litres per day |
| Three star water efficient showerhead (save $100+ pa) | $10-$85 | up to 45 litres per day |
| Use an aerator and place a bucket in the sink while waiting for hot water | $6 | 9 litres per minute |
| Use a bucket in the shower while waiting for hot water | $1 | 9 litres per minute |
| Fix a dripping tap in your home | $1-$5 | 5-50 litres per day |
| Use a Fixaflush or Waterwizz cistern weight for manual flush time | $10 | 10 litres per day |
| Fix a leaking toilet in your home | $5-$20 | 5-100 litres per day |
| Four star front loading washing machine | $500-$2,000 | 57 litres per day |
| 5,000 litre rainwater tank connected to toilet and garden | $3,000-$4,000 | 50+ litres per day |
In the bathroom...
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Limit your shower to four minutes -Each minute you save in the shower saves between 9 and 20 litres of water - depending on your showerhead. This could save a minimum of 15,000 litres per year. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth - Brushing your teeth twice a day with the tap running can use over 4,000 litres per person per year. |
In the toilet...
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A leaking toilet wastes up to 16,000 litres per year - To check if your toilet has a leak, put a little food dye in the cistern. Wait 15 minutes (don't flush) then check the water in the bowl. If the colour appears in the bowl the cistern needs immediate repair. Consider replacing older toilets with modern 6/3L or 4.5/3L dual flush toilets - A family of four can save over 35,000 litres each year. Only use the full flush when you need it. If you cannot afford a new toilet -Install a cistern weight that lets you control how much water is being flushed. Look at installing a cistern displacement bag -This can save up to 1.8 litres of water per full flush. |
At the tap...
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That dripping tap can waste about 20,000 litres of water per year - A dripping tap can often be fixed by just changing the washer. To view a video on changing a tap washer click here. To save even more water - Install flow controllers and aerators in all taps and plumbing fixtures - they're an inexpensive way to save water and can be installed by any handy person or you local plumber. |
In the kitchen...
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Use the plug when rinsing vegetables or dishes - A running tap can use between 9 and 20 litres of water per minute. Rinse recyclables in your wash water - Instead of rinsing them separately, rinse recyclables in the sink after you've finished with the dishes. Only run the dishwater with a full load - A full wash cycle can use between 10 and 30 litres of water per load, depending on the machine. Use the rinse and hold setting in between full loads. |
In the laundry...
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Depending on the model, a top loading washing machine can use more that 120 litres of water per cycle - Wait until you have a full load before washing. Always adjust the water level to suit the size of the load. When the time comes to replace your washing machine - Choose a modern 4 star (or better) front loader - they can cut your water use by 50%. |
