Reducing water use


Using a rainwater tank

Water saving tips

Your bathroom

About 20 per cent of household water is used in the bathroom, and another 18 per cent by toilets.

Save energy, water and money by:

  • Installing a '3 star' rated water-efficient showerhead or fitting a flow-restricting valve.
  • Prevent taps from leaking by turning taps off lightly and replacing washers as soon as they begin to leak, saving $25 per year.
  • Take shorter showers by using a shower timer.
  • Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
  • Use a plug in the basin when shaving rather than letting the tap run.
  • Turn your single flush toilet into a dual flush toilet. A $200 rebate is available through the NSW Government Climate Change Fund when changing to a dual flush toilet.
  • If you cannot convert to a dual flush toilet, install a displacement device in the cistern (tank) of single flush toilets. These are available at most hardware stores.
  • Check your toilet for leaks by adding drops of food colouring to the cistern. Don't flush for one hour. If colouring shows up in the toilet bowl, it’s leaking!
  • Get a free water saving kit from Sydney Water or find out about their WaterFix service.

Your taps

A dripping tap can waste over 2,000 litres a month.

  • Before you go to bed, write down your water meter reading.
  • Make sure no one uses any water during the night.
  • Check your meter the next morning. If the reading is higher, you have a water leak.
  • Installing water efficient taps or tap aerators is an inexpensive way to cut your water usage without you even noticing the difference.

Your kitchen

About six per cent of household water is used in the kitchen. A running kitchen tap can use around nine litres of water a minute.

  • Invest in a '3 star' (or above) rated dishwasher and wait until it is full before you turn it on – the more stars under the WELS rating scheme a dishwasher has, the more efficient it is.
  • Dishwashers connected to cold water are usually more efficient than dishwashers connected to hot water systems.
  • Use a bowl of water to rinse lettuce, veggies and other items instead of running the tap.

Your laundry

About 13 per cent of household water is used in the laundry. Conventional top loading washing machines use an average of 120 to 150 litres of water each load.

  • If you are buying a new washing machine, choose a water-efficient model with a water efficiency rating of '4 stars' (or above). A water-efficient washing machine can use up to 2/3 less water than an inefficient model.
  • Front loading washing machines generally require less water than a top loading machine.
  • Adjust the load water level to match the amount you’re washing — or wait until you have a full load.
  • Remember to regularly clean the lint filter on your washing machine.

Your garden

On average, about 43 per cent of household water is used in the garden and for other outdoor use.

  • Choose native plants — they require less water.
  • Group plants with similar watering needs together.
  • Adjust your garden and lawn watering patterns for winter weather conditions and plant needs.
  • Wash your car on the lawn and water the grass at the same time.
  • Use a bucket for washing and rinsing your car. If you leave the hose running while washing your car, you could be wasting 20 litres of water a minute.
  • Use a rake or broom to clean paths and the driveway rather than a hose.
  • Install a greywater system to reuse your laundry water in the garden. For more information about greywater systems download Greywater Fact Sheet - 555kb.
  • Install a water tank for your garden.

Rainwater tanks

Installing a rainwater tank can save up to 30% on your water bills.

For more information on installing a rainwater tank contact Council's Planning Division and Sydney Water.


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