Five tips for water conservation

Five tips for water conservation

Sydney Desalination Plant (SDP) is Australia’s third-largest desalination facility, supplying up to 15% of Sydney’s drinking water. As the city’s only major rainfall-independent source, SDP plays a vital role in ensuring a reliable and safe drinking water supply for Sydney year-round.

Drinking water is one of our most precious resources and using it wisely is everyone’s responsibility. Small changes in our daily routines – like shorter showers, fixing leaks quickly, and choosing water-efficient appliances – can make a big difference. Together, we can conserve water and support a more sustainable future for Sydney.

 How can everyone work to conserve water in Sydney? 

1. Avoid leaks:
   • – Visible leaks should be a top priority. A leaking toilet can waste as much as 260 litres of water every day.
   • – Concealed leaks are leaks hidden underground or in walls. If you can’t see a leak but your bill has increased for no reason, you may have a problem. Call a specialist plumber to address the problem.
   • – Install water efficient appliances such as front-loading washing machines.
2. In the kitchen and laundry, build water saving habits:
   • – Fill a jug and keep water in the fridge so you don’t have to wait for tap water to run cold.
   • – Wash vegetables in a plugged sink instead of under a running tap. Better yet, wash them in a bucket or bowl and water your plants with what you collect.
   • – Wait for a full load of dirty dishes before turning on the dishwasher.
   • – Put a plug in the sink to wash vegetables and dishes.
   • – Wait for a full load of washing before turning on the washing machine.
   • – Wear clothes and use towels more than once before they go into the washing basket.
   • – Don’t hand wash items one at a time. Plug the tub and do them together and save all rinsing for last.
3. In the bathroom, avoid running water for too long:
   • – Install water saving shower heads and take shorter showers, if everyone in Sydney cut their shower time by 10 seconds, we’d save over 8 million litres of water a day.
   • – When you replace your old toilet, get a dual flush. Half-flush toilets to save up to four buckets of water per day.
   • – Use a plug to keep water in the sink for rinsing your razor or washing your face. Don’t keep the tap running.

4. Be intentional about looking after your pipes:
   • – Dispose of fatty liquids rather than down pouring them down the drain.
   • – Have a bin in your bathroom to avoid binning items in your toilet like wet wipes, cotton products, dental floss, hair and tissues.
5. This coming summer, be conscious about when you use water:
   • – Keep water in the fridge to provide quick access to cold water without running the tap for ages.
   • – Water your garden wisely in the early morning or evening to avoid water evaporation and water the roots of each plant, not the leaves
   • – Install a rainwater tank. If a rainwater tank is properly installed and plumbed into your home, you could save up to 40% of your drinking water needs. Collect rainwater for gardening or cleaning to save water and use a rake rather than a hose to clean driveways and pathways.
   • – If you think you need a garden watering system, choose one with plenty of water efficiency options to prevent overwatering. A sprinkler uses 900 litres every hour.