Ways to save water

Author: Tim Grant

For us as individuals, water is essential for life. From a system perspective, it’s also an effective way to capture carbon. With extra water, we can grow trees to capture carbon or crops which can replace plastics.  

While cities are not the largest consumers of water, they will always compete with farming and industry needs. At home, the biggest water uses are the garden and bathroom.  After the last drought, many great measures were implemented including water-saving toilets and showers.  But we have all got a little lax since it began raining. 

The best way to save water is:

Short showers. Shallow baths 

Smart watering in the garden

Smart plants such as natives and drought-tolerant gardens

Good water-efficient appliances especially clothes and dishwashers

Don’t rinse the dishes..  your washer is designed to cope with dirty dishes

If you want to save water and energy don't wash clothes until you need to. Be clean, but clever

Don't waste food. The water footprint of food, also known as ‘embodied water’, accounts for the huge amount of indirect water which goes into making something (ie. meat production or growing vegetables).

One study in Melbourne found that for every litre of water consumed directly in the household, about nine more litres are consumed indirectly through embodied water in food.*

Also, in apparel. Cotton uses a lot of water, so use sensibly and get the most out of these clothes.

Make your own water. Water tanks help slow flooding, and the water can be used for garden toilets and laundry. 

Pools are fun but use up a lot of water. Use the local pool instead if you can. If you have a pool, ensure no leaks, and cover it when not using it to slow evaporation.