Did you know that most of the water used across urban areas of Western Australia is used at home? Climate change is making us all think about the way we use water. You may not realise it, but how you shower, clean your dishes and water your garden impacts the environment.
We recently undertook a water use study on how households across Perth use their water. We discovered that:
Here is how most of us use our water around our home and garden:
By making a few small changes, you'll not only reduce your water use, but you can also save money on your water and energy bills too.
Here are some easy ways to save water and use it more efficiently inside and outside your home.
Estimated water savings: Optimising your irrigation system can save around 10,000 L/year.
A large amount of household water is used outdoors, with sprinklers gulping down around 28% of water around the home. So it's important to water when it matters. Sticking to your watering days and only watering once on those days is enough. Before 9am is best as it allows the water to soak into the plant's roots, helping plants use water throughout the day and reducing evaporation.
Different types of sprinklers have varying watering rates, so make sure you check the recommended watering times for your sprinkler type. And if rain is forecast, turn your sprinklers off and let nature do the watering for you!
Estimated water savings: Applying a generous amount of waterwise mulch can help you save up to 20% of water used in the garden.
If you're time-poor, topping your garden bed with a course, chunky mulch is one of the easiest things you can do to save water in the garden. Applying a generous layer between 5-10cm across the surface of the soil can greatly reduce evaporation loss, improve the soil, reduce weed growth and enhance the appearance of your garden. Get more low maintenance tips for a waterwise garden.
A green lawn is often thought of as the centrepiece to a beautiful garden, but water isn't the only thing you need to get that gorgeous green. You can save time caring for your lawn by using a wetting agent at least 3 to 4 times a year. A wetting agent is a product applied to your garden that allows your soil to absorb and hold more water. Wetting agents are extra important in areas with sandy, hydrophobic soils. Get more expert tips for maintaining a healthy lawn
Estimated water savings: Using a pool cover can save 250L/day in summer.
Keep the pool cover on when your pool or spa isn't in use. This helps prevent the water and expensive pool chemicals from evaporating while keeping your pool warmer and the leaves out - bonus! When looking for pool covers and other products for outside, keep your eye out for the Waterwise and Smart Drop Certified logos.
Estimated water savings: 43 L/day
Inside the home, we tend to use most of our water in the shower - with average shower water usage accounting for 24% of total water used in the home. The average shower time is around 6 minutes, so cutting your shower time by just 2 minutes can make a big difference in your water usage. Try using a shower timer or your favourite 4 minute song to time your showers. And if you’re waiting for the water to heat up, why not collect the cold water in a bucket to water your garden. Find more ways to save water during shower time.
Estimated water savings: 25 L/day
A trickle in the toilet can waste around 9,000L of water a year. Look for signs that your toilet is leaking. And remember to choose the half flush where possible and only flush the 3 P's - pee, poo and (toilet) paper.
Estimated water savings: 10 L/minute
Every minute you leave the tap running wastes up to 10L of water. 8 out of 10 people have adopted the habit of turning the tap off while they brush their teeth. Have you?
Estimated water savings: Switching to a dishwasher could save you around 2,500 L/year.
Did you know a WELS 4-star dishwasher uses around 15L of water compared to a standard 22L capacity kitchen sink? Just make sure it's full before you press start or change the setting to half load if it's available. Don't forget to scrape your leftovers into the bin instead of rinsing them before putting them into the dishwasher! Read more kitchen water saving advice.
Estimated water savings: Switching to a front loader uses up to 35% less water than a top loader.
Pile up your dirty clothes until you have a full load to reduce your water usage. Choose a short, cool wash cycle where possible, saving you water and energy. When choosing a new washing machine, look for a machine with a WELS 4.5 star rating or better. Learn more about saving water in the laundry.
Estimated water savings: 20,000 L/year or more.
Not all leaks are easy to find, especially if they're hidden in the walls of your house or underground in your retic pipes. If you don't find and fix them, you could be wasting around 20,000 litres per year! Not to mention they could cause more extensive damage to your property. Use our handy leak detection tool to check if you have a leak and fix it.
Using waterwise approved products around your home will help you use water more efficiently. Together with Australia’s water conservation label, Smart Drop Certified, our waterwise product endorsement program makes it easy for you to identify these products.
Look out for the Waterwise and Smart Approved WaterMark logos when shopping for waterwise approved products, or browse recommended products on the Smart Drop Certified website.