How to be efficient with water usage

Fixing a leak is one of the quickest and simplest ways to save water.

There are two types of leaks within a home:

Visible leaks

Any visible leaks should be your top priority. If you can see the leak, it is costing you money. A leaking toilet can waste as much as 260 litres of water every day. A dripping tap or showerhead can waste as much as 200 litres per day.

If you identify a visible leak, call your plumber to repair it.

Concealed leaks

Concealed leaks are leaks hidden underground or in walls and can be costly.

As they cannot be seen, they often go undetected until you receive an unexpectedly high water bill.

A leak detection test can help determine if you have a concealed leak: How to conduct a leak detection test.

If you believe you may have a concealed leak, contact your plumber

• Use a pool blanket or liquid pool cover: You can reduce evaporation by up to 90% just by using a pool blanket or liquid pool cover. 
• Don't overfill: Overfilling wastes water and can also prevent your filter from working effectively. The water level should be about halfway up the skimmer box.
• Increase shade: Adding walls and hedges to shelter your pool from sun and wind can help reduce evaporation and protect swimmers from the sun.
• Keep the water in the pool: Discourage jumping in and diving as it can splash water outside the pool.
• Only backwash when necessary: If you keep your pool and filters clean, you wont need to backwash as often. Cartridge filters don't need to be backwashed at all.
• If you have a sand filter: Only backwash it until the glass goes clear - backwashing for longer wastes water. Sand filters need backwashing every 4-6 weeks, and can use up to 8,000 litres of water per year.
• Check for and repair any leaks: Inspect the plumbing and pool for any leaks, cracks or tears. Check underwater lights as they can be a source of leaks. The following test can help determine if you have a leaking pool:

1. Fill a bucket with pool water and set it on a step in your pool (so the water inside the bucket and pool are level).
2. Mark the water level on the bucket and the pool
3. Wait 24 hours without using the pool
4. Come back and check the levels. If the pool water dropped more than the bucket water, you may have a leak. If the dropped the same amount, its just evaporation.

• Take shorter showers: Cutting your shower time from 7 to 4 minutes can save up to 27 litres of water (when using a 3 star showerhead). Multiplied by the number of household members and their shower frequency, this can have a significant impact on how much water is used when showering.
• Use a plug: Instead of running water when rinsing your razor or washing your face, use a plug and turn the tap off.
• Install a WELS 4-star rated showerhead: Installing a 4-star rated showerhead will save on both water and energy costs. Older showerheads use 15-25 litres per minute, but an efficient showerhead uses just 6-7 litres per minute.
• Install dual flush toilets: When you replace your old toilet, consider a dual flush system. Single-flush toilets use 11 litres per flush. Modern, dual-flush toilets use just 4.5 litres per full flush and 3 litres per half flush. Use the half flush whenever you can.

• Only wash when you have a full load
• When you replace your washing machine, consider a front loader. Top loaders use about 110 litres of water per load. Front loaders use about 60 litres, almost half.
• Adjust your water level to suit the size of your load
• Use the economy cycle (if you have one)
• Pre-treat stains to avoid rewashing
• If you're hand washing, use less washing powder. Fewer suds mean less rinsing.
• Don't hand wash items one at a time. Plug the tub and do them together, and save all rinsing for last.

• Keep a jug of water in the fridge so you don't have to wait for tap water to run cold.
• Wash vegetables in a plugged sink instead of under a running tap. Alternately, wash them in bowl and waster your plants with the used water.
• Thaw frozen food in the fridge or microwave, not under a running tap.
• Ensure the dishwasher is full before turning it on.
• Forget pre-rinsing. You only need to scrape plates and cutlery before loading them in the dishwasher.