After an exceptionally hot summer and the driest April to September period in more than 100 years, rivers and reservoirs are still recovering and levels are significantly lower than usual for the time of year.
We’re doing everything we can to protect resources, from fixing leaks to engaging with businesses to help them use less water. But we need your help to address the severe drought we face and keep more water in the reservoirs.
These tips will give you some ideas on how to save water, starting with easy changes you can make today. Any change you make will help.
Level one: quick fixes
These habit changes may sound small, but they add up over time to make big water savings. Every Drop Counts.
Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth.
Leaving the tap on for two minutes when you brush your teeth can waste around 20 litres of water.
Shave a few minutes off your shower
The average shower uses 10 litres of water a minute, so cutting your shower down by just two minutes can save 20 litres a day!
Only run full washes on your washing machine and dishwasher and use eco mode.
An average washing machine uses 50 litres of water per load. But you’ll save 15 litres of that if you use eco mode.
Level two: the next steps
You might have been doing everything in step one already – if so, you’re well on the way to being a water-saving hero. Here’s what you do next.
Check your loo for leaks
Toilet leaks are often hard to spot – it could just be a light trickle against the back of the bowl. Fixing a leak is one of the biggest water-saving actions you can take, as they often waste 400 litres a week!
Find out how to test your loo for leaks (and how to fix them)
Fix dripping taps
A tap that drips once a second wastes 15 litres a day. They’re often easy to fix yourself with a bit of DIY research. If you’re not sure, get a plumber or handyperson to fix it for you.
Fit a tap regulator
Tap regulators, sometimes called tap aerators, help you save water by letting slightly less water out of your tap but aerating it with small bubbles so it feels just as strong. They’re cheap and easy to fit, and you’ll save on your bill if you’re on a water meter.
Level three: bigger changes
If you’re ready to go to the next level in water-saving, here are some ideas.
Collect your warm-up water
Do you have to run your shower for a few minutes while the water warms up? That water doesn’t need to go to waste! Put a bucket or container underneath while you wait to collect the water. You can use that to water plants, mop the floor or flush your loo.
Turn off the shower while you lather up
Every minute the shower’s running with no one under it, you’re using 10 litres of drinking water. Switch it off when you’re standing outside the stream to apply soap, shampoo or conditioner, or shaving. But obviously, if your shower goes cold and takes a long time to warm up again, skip this tip!
Skip a wash a week
Do you automatically drop clothes into the laundry basket after each wear? See if you can wear things for slightly longer to reduce your laundry loads by a few washes each week. Many items like jeans or jumpers can be aired and worn again. If something is basically clean but has a slight mark, you can often sponge it off instead of going for a full wash.
Become a water-saving hero.
Now you’ve reduced your water use, you can help others too. Report dripping taps at work. Tell your local café about their leaky loo (they’ll save money too). Help your friends and family cut out water-wasting habits.
Everything we all do together adds up to make a big difference, protecting our precious water supplies during the drought.