You can avoid wasting water by making sure you maintain your taps, rainwater tanks and greywater systems.
Taps and irrigation systems
- Fix dripping taps immediately. A tap leaking at the rate of one drip per second will waste more than 12,000 litres of water a year.
- Don’t over-tighten taps as this can wear the washer and cause leaks.
- If you have an irrigation or dripper system to water your garden, check the hoses and pipes regularly for leaks, splits and blockages.
- If the ends of a dripper system are coming off, check the water pressure going into the irrigation system. You may need to turn down the pressure.
Toilets
- Fix leaking toilets immediately. A slow, barely visible leak can waste more than 4,000 litres per year. Visible, constant leaks can waste more than 96,000 litres.
- Check for leaks by placing a couple of drops of food colouring or dye into the cistern. If colour appears in the bowl within 15 minutes without flushing, then a leak exists and the system should be repaired.
Rainwater tanks
Rainwater tanks are a great way to catch rainwater, and for many renovations, installing a tank will be a requirement.
Tanks can become contaminated with animal or bird droppings from the roofs or gutters or from lead flashing if you have an old roof. It’s important to keep tanks in good condition so that the water will be clean and safe to use, especially for drinking. Not all states allow rainwater to be used for drinking water so check with your local council.
To keep your tank water clean you should:
- Check and clear your roofs and gutters often for vegetation and debris.
- Keep the roof clear of overhanging vegetation.
- Check and maintain screens around the tank.
- Drain and clean your tank every few years to remove sediment.
- Install a first flush diverter. When it rains, this device will prevent the first flow of water from the roof entering the tank - it is this first flow of water that is likely to have contaminants.
- To prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your tank, screen inlets and overflow outlets with fine mesh.
- Have your builder check for lead flashing and seal it if you're collecting from an old roof and will use the rainwater for drinking. You may also need special gutter treatments such as screens to keep out debris.
Greywater systems
Greywater systems collect and treat wastewater from the shower and laundry for reuse in the garden or within the home for toilets or washing machines.
Recycling water can save a large amount of water but it is very important to keep greywater systems well-maintained. Be aware that greywater systems require a reasonable commitment to maintenance to avoid health risks to people and damage to soil and plants.
Make sure you:
- Always follow the manufacturer's operating instructions.
- Try to keep your wastewater as clean as possible and use the right cleaning products if your system requires it.
- Make sure your household and guests know how to use the system and which chemicals or cleaning products must not be used.
- Don't dispose of chemicals, medications or other unnatural products down the sink. Contact your local council or water authority for information on chemical collection and disposal of hazardous wastes.
- If you are collecting wastewater from your washing machine, make sure you use a lint filter and clean it regularly.
