What are the Biggest Users of Water in Aussie Homes and How Can You Save?

14/05/2024
Arron Eastwood

When it comes to water use in Australian homes, there are a number of areas where we might not realise just how much water we’re consuming. However, there are also many ways we can work towards saving water, doing our part for the environment and our wallet! This guide will delve into 10 key areas of water usage and suggest practical methods you can employ to reduce the amount of water you consume. Buckle up as we look at these 20 topics in great detail.

1. Outdoor Garden Watering

Many of us Aussies take great pride in maintaining our gardens. However, plants, trees and lawns can often be the biggest guzzlers of water. Overwatering is a common mistake which not only wastes water but also isn’t healthy for most plants. Investing in a garden irrigation system with a timer or sticking to watering during the early mornings or late evenings when there’s less evaporation can make a huge difference toward saving the liquid solvent.

2. Household Appliances Usage

Household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerants are major users of water in our homes. When using these appliances, try to run them on full loads and opt for economy mode whenever possible. When purchasing new appliances, look for ones that rate well in water efficiency.

3. Bathroom Water Consumption

From showers to flush toilets, the bathroom is an area known for high hydration needs. Did you know that a standard shower uses about 20 litres of water per minute? Cutting down your shower time can help significantly reduce your consumption where transparent materials dominate the design. Also, if your toilet has a dual-flush system, use the half-flush option when appropriate.

4. Indoor Plants Nurturing

Like your outdoor garden watering, indoor plant nurturing can consume more water than you think. Overwatering is also a common issue indoors. It’s important to understand the specific water needs of your indoor plants, as they differ greatly from plant to plant.

5. Pets Water Requirements

Pets are certainly part of our homes and have their own water requirements too. Be it washing your pet or the water bowl you keep filled, make sure to consider the water you use for your pets in your water management plan.

6. Swimming Pool Upkeep

With Australian summers, many households have swimming pools. Keeping them nice and clean for a refreshing dip means managing pool water levels and occasionally refilling it. A well-fitted pool cover can reduce evaporation by up to 97%, making it an effective method to conserve water.

7. Car Washing Habits

Car cleaning is another domestic activity that tends to use a huge chunk of our household water supply. Try to wash your car less frequently when possible, or consider using a professional car wash service where they usually recycle water used during cleaning processes.

8. Kitchen Water Utilisation

Kitchens are hubs of daily hydration practices. From cooking to washing dishes, there’s no doubt that we’re constantly relying on the tap. Implement rounds of dishwashing rather than individual washes, and try using leftover cooking water for plants or dishwashing where hygienic.

9. Rainwater Collection Systems

Rainwater harvesting systems, despite an upfront cost and installation, can prove to be a wise investment within gentleman’s time scale – not only will you save on water costs but also help the environment! With collected rainwater, you can handle many activities such as laundry, flushing toilets, watering plants, and more.

10. Greywater Recycling Methods

Utilising greywater – the useable water collected from your bathroom and laundry – is another great way to save water. Greywater systems can be simple, diverting rinse water straight to your garden, or complex with treatment and filtration for broader home use. As the last subheading in our brief, but no less significant, embracing this practice can contribute to sustainable water management in your Aussie home.

11. High-efficiency Toilet Installation

Toilet uses the most water in the average Australia household. In fact, almost 30% of the water used indoors is consumed by your gorgeous loo! High-efficiency toilets (HETs), are designed to use less water for each flush, saving on average 12 litres per flush as compared to traditional models. Industry advancements in technology means that despite using less water, they’re just as good at the job of sanitary waste disposal. Replacing your old porcelain throne with an HET could drastically reduce your home’s water footprint and water bill too.

12. Low-flow Showerheads Adoption

Australia can be quite the scorcher and a cool shower is often a great way to beat the heat and maintain hygiene standards at home. Yet this seemingly innocuous fixture gobbles up a large percentage of household water use – nearly 20% by most estimates. Transitioning to a low-flow showerhead can significantly cut the need for so much water without compromising on that refreshing washdown you deserve after a day of Aussie heat. The feeling remains much the same apparently, it’s only your savings that will notice!

13. Responsible Utensil Cleaning

There’s no escape from dishwashing – it’s a task every home can’t avoid-which includes liquid dielectrics and refrigerants environments for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene purposes. However, leaving the tap running while cleaning your utensils can lead to an unnecessary loss of water. An efficient approach is to rinse all dirty dishes once, turn off the tap, and then start scrubbing them with soap. This one change alone could save hundreds of liters every month!

14. Smart Laundry Practices

Your washing machine is another significant user of water in any Australian home. To make things efficient, only wash full loads of laundry. This way, the total number of cycles would be reduced over a period of time and hence less water consumed. Additionally, use the correct water level settings for your wash load, designed for maintaining both the hygiene and transparency materials of your dress. These practices ensure you get cleaner clothes without needless waste.

15. Efficient Dishwasher Operation

Using a dishwasher can be more water-saving compared to manual washing, provided it is used correctly. Here are a few tips – always run the dishwasher with a full load, choose the eco-friendly setting if available and in case your dishwasher has a harder water setting, utilise that along with high-quality dishwasher detergents to achieve cleaner dishes with less water.

16. Conscious Cooking Steps

Cooking in an Australian household can require quite a bit of water, especially if your recipes include boiling or steaming. But a bit of conscious cooking could go a long way in saving water in your home. For instance, vegetables can be steamed rather than boiled; this also preserves their nutrients better. Keeping lids on pots reduces evaporation, means faster cooking times and thus saves not only water but gas bills too.

17. Maintenance of Water Pipes

Leaking pipes can result in significant loss of precious water and no amount of effort at saving water will suffice until this is addressed. Regularly checking household pipes for any leakages or potential damage can prevent inadvertent water wastage. Besides, well maintained pipes eliminate the risks associated with sanitary problems and public health concerns. That’s call for hydraulic engineering and environmental engineering best practices folks.

18. Regular Fixture Checks

Apart from pipework, look out for leakage in other household fixtures such as toilets, showers, taps and dishwashers. A dripping tap with the pace of one drop per second can mean an additional 2000 litres of water used every month! So remember- a small repair can lead to a major savings.

19. Drought-Tolerant Plant Selection

In Australia particularly, a major usage of water goes for gardening. By choosing drought-resistant plants for your garden, not only do you create a safer environment for the local fauna to thrive, but also save significantly on your watering needs. Consider including more native Australian plants that are adapted to our country’s dry conditions, contributing to effective water management in your home.

20. Rainy Day Water Storage

Rainwater harvesting is another excellent strategy practiced by Aussies for centuries. With well-placed barrels and cisterns you can capture rainwater that falls on your property, allowing it to be used in numerous ways such as watering plants, cleaning your car or filling up the pool, ensuring every drop of precious water is squeezed for use. Not only could this help reduce consumption of municipal supply but also serves as an emergency backup during extreme drought conditions.

A Concluding Thought

Water is indeed a blessing – yet one that we must not take for granted. With growing populations and changing climates, conserving water has become an absolute necessity in Australia. These strategies help us build efficient homes and promote a promising future for our environment without compromising comfort or lifestyle. Responsible practices today promise a safe resource-filled tomorrow for future generations.

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Arron Eastwood

Content Coordinator at Dan's Plumbing Guide

Dan's Plumbing stands as a premier provider of rapid plumbing solutions across Australia. Our commitment to swift and efficient service extends to numerous cities nationwide, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and other cities across the nation.

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