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Saving Water – YOUR Contribution!

  • Check for leaks and install star-rated tapware. Ideally 3 or more stars will help your contribution to our water conservation
  • Reserve excess water from your shower and buy a water-efficient toilet
  • Only wash clothes when you have a full load

FAQ

By simply choosing more efficient products, by 2021 the community stands to save more then $600 million through reduced water and energy bills. It is estimated that by 2021, water efficiency labeling will cut domestic water use by five per cent or 87,200 megalitres per year. A total of 610,000 megalitres – more water than in Sydney Harbour – projected to be conserved by 2021. Nearly half the water savings will come from more efficient washing machines, about 25 percent from showers and 22 percent from toilets. (Source: WELS Official Website)

For more specific WELS Scheme facts and regulations visit www.waterrating.gov.au

Top water saving tips for your kitchen, bathroom and laundry

It's easy to save water around your home - you just need to pay attention to you're everyday patterns. Simple behavioural changes are as important as fixing leaking taps and buying water-smart appliances.

Some handy tips to help you save water around your home.

In general

  • Make sure you don't have leaks. Find a two-hour period when no-one in your house will be using water. Check the water meter at the beginning and end of the two-hour period. If your meter has changed at all, something is leaking.
  • If you have a leaky tap, replace the washer. A tap leaking at the rate of one drop per second can waste around 10,000L of water every year.
  • Retrofit existing taps with aerators or flow restrictors. You can purchase these from The Sydney Tap Centre in many different flow rates.
  • New taps installed in any part of the home should have assigned a star rating under the new WELS Scheme. This ensures that they comply with new regulations and are water efficient.
  • In the detailed display window of every tapware product The Sydney Tap Centre has shown the star rating

 

In the bathroom

  • Star rated showerhead, mixers, toilets and tapware use less water. The amount of stars will let you know what amount of water is being used per minute. A 3 Star Rating shows a use of 9L of water per minute. Older styles of showerheads use up to 15-25L per minute.
  • Don't leave the water running while cleaning your teeth or shaving. Use the plug to reserve a little water for rinsing instead.
  • Don't let cold water run down the drain while you're waiting for your shower to heat up. Instead, capture the water in a bucket and use it to water your plants.
  • If you're installing a new toilet, buy one with a star rating. 3 Star is common showing that they are 6/3Litre Flush a 4 Star Rating indicates it is a 4.5/3 Litre Flush. This indicates the water usage per flush.
  • Try to restrict your shower time - five minutes is plenty of time to get clean. Put a timer in the shower if it's hard to keep track.
  • Save baths for special occasions and don't use more water than you need.

In the kitchen

  • Keep cold drinking water in the fridge. That way, you don't leave the tap running until the water gets cool.
  • Don't use running water to thaw frozen food. Leave it in the fridge overnight or use the microwave instead.
  • Using a dishwasher can be more economical than washing by hand - so long as you wait until you have a full load. All kitchen appliances also come with a star rating to tell you how efficient they work both in terms of water and energy.
  • Put in the plug as soon as you start running water to fill the sink. Keep the water pressure low while you wait for it to get hot.

In the laundry

  • Buy an energy-efficient washing machine – this will also come with a star rating showing its efficiency in water consumption and energy efficiency.
  • Wait until you've got a full load before you use the washing machine. If you do a half load, adjust the water level accordingly.
  • Buy a tank and use rainwater in your washing machine. Your state government, local council or water provider may offer a rebate for connecting a rainwater tank to a washing machine.
  • Alternatively, grey water from the washing machine rinse cycle can be reused in the garden.