Water Conservation

Indoor Conservation Tips

In the kitchen

• Fill up your dishwasher before running a cleaning cycle.
• Fix leaky faucets.
• Put a plug in the sink when running water to wash fruits and veggies or for rinsing dishes.
• Avoid using running water to defrost frozen food. Allow it to defrost overnight in the refrigerator or use your microwave to defrost food straight from the freezer.
• Check that all taps are turned off properly.
• Keep a water jug or bottle in your fridge instead of running the tap cold to get a cool drink of water.
• Use a pressure cooker, microwave, or steamer to save water. Simmer rather than boil your food and use tight lids to prevent evaporation.
• Water used to cook boiled food can be re-used in soups or casseroles – or let it cool down and use it to water your garden.
• Your plants will appreciate food scraps added to the compost heap! A lot of water is wasted running a waste disposal unit.

In the bathroom

• Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Have showers instead of baths and keep your shower short.
• Don’t use the toilet to flush items such as tissues or anything else that should go in the trash can.
• Check your toilet for leaks.

In the laundry

• Make sure you do a full load or use the water filling guide depending on the amount of washing.
• Front-load washing machines use 50% less water than top loaders

Outdoor Conservation Tips

In the garden

• Collect water in drums or tanks from roof runoff.
• Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning.
• Don’t water on windy days: much of the water will evaporate and/or go where you don’t need it.
• Check the forecast - if there's rain ahead, let it water for you.
• Check your garden hose and taps regularly for leaks and use a trigger nozzle on the hose to reduce water loss.
• Use recycled water (also known as grey water) that you have collected in your home to water your garden.
• Use a trigger hose to water the garden, not a sprinkler, to control where and how much water is used. Also, aim for the roots, not the leaves.
• Plant drought-resistant species in your garden. Native plants require less water than exotic plants.

The lawns

• Do not worry about the lawn drying out over the summer as it will rejuvenate naturally with cooler and wetter weather.
• Do not water your lawn on windy days.
• Wash your car on the lawn so your lawn gets watered too.
• Don’t cut the lawns too short. Lawns with more grass blades will hold water and require less irrigation.

The outdoors

• Don't hose the dirt off your driveway, use a broom instead.
• Use a bucket to wash the house or windows.
• Make sure you check for leaks consistently and repair them if necessary.