Tips on saving water around the home

Below are listed some water saving tips for around the home.

*22% of total household water use is used in the shower. Limit your showers to 4 minutes or less. 4 Minutes is plenty of time to get clean!

*Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.

*When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient.

*Regularly check your plugs. If your plug leaks, you will lose water while taking a bath. Replace with a new one.

*Make sure your hot water system thermostat is not set too high. Adding cold water to cool very hot water is wasteful.

*Wash with a full load & you will save 10 litres of water each wash.

*Use washing-up liquid sparingly as this will reduce the amount of rinsing required when washing dishes by hand.

*When you clean your fish tank, use the 'old' nitrogen and phosphorous rich water on your plants.

*Leaky Loos are the most common cause of high water bills. Check to make sure you don't have a leaking toilet.

*Repair leaks and dripping taps immediately to prevent water wastage.

*Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.

*Rinse your razor in a plugged sink rather than under running water.

*Turn taps off firmly, but avoid excessive force that may damage the tap washer and cause the tap to leak.

*By using a low flow toilet you can reduce your water consumption by 75% or more.

*Designate a drinking glass daily or refill a bottle. This cuts down on glasses to wash.

*Catch running water whilst waiting for it to warm up. Use it to water plants, rinse dishes, or wash fruit and vegetables.

*Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.

*Next time you buy a household appliance such as taps, toilets, showers, washing machines and dishwashers; make sure you check the water efficiency rating. They will have a WELs rating that states the water consumption and also has a star rating. By purchasing higher efficient appliances, it can save you water and money!

* Once you are done with your breakfast, lunch or dinner try scraping your plates clean instead of rinsing prior to washing or placing in the dishwasher.

* When having a bath, ensure you plug your bathtub before turning the water then adjust the temperature as the bathtub fills with water.

* The next time you use your washing machine, ensure you select the right water level for the size of your load or perhaps if you can, wait until you have a full load.

* If you have time, thaw your frozen foods instead of placing them under running water!

* Instead of using the hose to clean driveways and gutters, use a broom. It saves water and you get a workout as well!

*Whether you are at home or staying in a hotel, try and reuse your towels!

*Installing water efficient taps or tap aerators is an inexpensive way to cut your water usage without you even noticing.

*Check for toilet leaks by placing a few drops of biodegradable food colouring into the cistern, and wait for 30 minutes. If you have a leaking toilet, you will see coloured water in the toilet bowl and need to contact a plumber. A slow, barely visible leak into your toilet bowl can waste more than 4,000 litres of water a year. Visible, constant leaks (with a hissing sound) can waste 95,000 litres a year.

*Prevent taps from leaking by turning taps off lightly and replace washers as soon as they begin to leak.

*What do you flush down the toilet? Water Saving Tip - Everytime you flush the toilet it wastes between 3 and 11 litres of water. Leave your cigarette butts, tissues, hair and other rubbish for the bin!

Source: http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php; http://www.savewater.com.au/;http://www.watercheck.biz/; http://martocchia.com;http://www.thinkwater.act.gov.au/water_savingtips/water_saving_tips.shtml;http://www.sydneywater.com.au/;http://www.pub.gov.sg/events/School/Pages/TeacherKit5.aspx; http://www.savewater.com.au; http://www.savewater.com.au/how-to-save-water/in-the-home/laundry; http://homeguides.sfgate.com/seal-bath-drain-leaks-29500.html