Print this pageWater
Living Smart With Water
Saving water will save you money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help to keep our waterways healthy.
The South East Queensland Water Strategy (2010) challenges SEQ to maintain an average residential consumption at or below 200 litres per person per day (Target 200).
If this target is achieved, future water supplies can be deferred and the amount of water that is treated and distributed throughout the SEQ Water Grid can be reduced—saving money and electricity and reducing the carbon footprint.
The water module challenges members of your household to both change their behaviours/habits around the home as well as installing water conserving devices and appliances.
Outcomes for your household in embracing sustainable water habits in your household may include:
- Reduction of water costs.
- Reduction of energy costs
- Improvement of water quality
- Increased awareness/enjoyment/understanding of your local waterways
- Reduced pollution – greenhouse gases, toxins in waterways, resource consumption
Navigate your way through the Water space for practical information and complete the corresponding activities to complete the Living Smart Water module and become a Water Smart household!
|
Easy actions you can take |
Estimated savings |
|
Showers are the biggest user of electric hot water in most homes. Install a 3 star rated water-efficient showerhead. |
save more than half a tonne of greenhouse gas each year.
|
|
Take shorter showers
|
save up to half a kilogram of greenhouse gas for every minute.
|
|
Avoid using small amounts of hot water and wasting litres while waiting for hot water to come out of the tap. |
Save 200 kilograms of greenhouse gas each year.
|
|
Switch off your hot water systems if you’re going away for more than a few days.
|
save 1.4 kilograms per day you are away.
|
|
Choose a dishwasher carrying energy efficient labels, look for models with 4-star ratings and only run your dishwasher when it’s fully loaded. |
Reduce the 500 kilograms of greenhouse gas inefficient dishwashers generate each year. |
|
Fit a timer switch on your pool filter and run for the minimum recommended time.
|
Save a kilogram of greenhouse gas for every 1 to 3 hours you reduce running time.
|
|
Wash clothes in cold water
|
Generate less than a third of a kilogram of greenhouse gas per wash. |
Activity Centre
challenges, tools and games.
Useful Tips and Facts
- A standard showerhead may use up to 25 litres of water per minute whereas water-efficient showerhead might use as little as seven litres per minute, which is less than a third.
- A water-efficient washing machine may use only one-third the water of an inefficient model.
- An old-style single-flush toilet could use up to 12 litres of water per flush, while a standard dual flush toilet uses just a quarter of this on a half-flush.
- As a guide, running your hose at maximum capacity can use up to 20 litres per minute, so a full 1000-litre tank will provide around 50 minutes of hosing.
- Ask council to provide you with a species list most suitable to your local conditions.
- Check for leaks regularly as even one dripping tap can waste up to 2,000 litres per month. To do this, turn off your water for a few hours, if your meter reading changes it will be obvious that you have a leak.
- Check your pool for leaks. A leaking pool can lose up to 500 litres a day.
- Check your toilet for leaks, a leaking toilet can use up to 15 litres every day.
- Checking your water meter regularly allows you to notice if your property has any hidden leaks.
- Many native plants conserve water with small leaves often covered in a tough or hairy surface. Internal water storage and deep roots help them survive in times of drought.
- Moreton bay residents are entitled to a free cubic metre of mulch a month from the local waste facility.
- Mulch your garden regularly. This helps maintain moisture in the soil and control weeds that compete with plants for water.
- Regularly check outdoor taps, pipes and plumbing fixtures for leaks. A single dripping tap can waste up to 2,000 litres a month.
- Take note of the rainfall your garden receives. If your area has received significant rainfall (more than 50mm) it may be weeks before you need to water again.
- To rinse your razor, run a little water into a plugged sink. Rinsing your razor under a running tap wastes a lot of water.
- Water deeply and less frequently to encourage plants and lawn to grow deeper roots and be more resilient to dry times. Twice a week should be sufficient if you have a well-mulched garden, suitable soil and established plants
- Where possible reduce the amount of time you use your garbage disposal unit. This will save up to 7 litres a minute.