Our rivers and land are increasingly under stress and water resources for our cities becoming less reliable. The good news is, using less water is easy.

You can do all the things you do right now – like have a good hot shower – with less water. Plus you’ll save money, protect the environment and help make sure our water supply is sustainable for future generations.

 

Up to half the water we use at home goes in the bathroom. Toilets use more than anything else – up to 12 litres for each flush. But a new dual-flush toilet can use just 3 or 6 litres.

 

Another easy way to save water is simply to use the plug. A running tap can waste 17 litres a minute. When you’re washing fruit or your hands, rinsing dishes or shaving, use a half-filled sink rather than a running tap. When brushing your teeth, wet your brush then use a glass of water to rinse. Every drop counts. It may take an effort at first but using the plug will soon become a habit and it costs nothing.

 

6 easy ways to use less water without affecting your lifestyle.

 

1. Look out for leaks.

 

One dripping tap can waste 2,000 litres a month or 24,000 litres a year – more than the average home uses in a month. But you can fix it yourself in a few minutes with a cheap washer. Are there any leaks you don’t know about? Check your water meter last thing at night, and then first thing in the morning (so long as no-one in your home uses water during the night). If the meter dial has moved, you need to track down the leak. Check your toilet - put a few drops of food colouring in the cistern and don’t flush for an hour; if colour appears in the bowl there’s a leak and you’ll probably need to call your plumber.

 

2. Install a dual-flush toilet.

 

New dual-flush toilets can use 66% less water than single-flush cisterns and 30% less than older, dual-flush models. If replacing your single-flush toilet isn’t an option, you can put a full plastic bottle in the cistern to reduce the amount of water in each flush.

 

3. Fit tap aerators.

 

They cut the flow of water from your tap by up to half without reducing water pressure - so you won’t even notice the difference. And they’re cheap and easy to install yourself.

 

4. Wait until your dishwasher is full.

 

Running your dishwasher with a full load will generally use less water (and energy and detergent) than washing the same number of dishes by hand.

 

5. Only wash a full load of clothes.

 

Washing machines use a lot of water. If you can’t adjust the water level on your machine to suit the load size, try to wait until you have a full load. Front-loading machines are usually the most efficient.

 

6. Try to take shorter showers.

 

It’s one of the most effective things you can do to save water. Keep your shower to around 4 minutes if you can. If you and everyone else in your home does the same, you’ll save lots of water and cut your hot water bill too.

 

Further information

 

The Rotorua District council has a good tip sheet on reducing your water use in and outside your home