Looking for simple ways to cut down on how much water your family uses? Small daily habits add up, and most of these changes cost nothing to put in place. Here are 8 easy tips for reducing water use at home.
#1. Be leak free!
Keep an eye on your water usage for anything unusual — for example, checking your meter before and after a period of low use, such as while you’re at work or away for a day or two.
It’s also worth checking for running overflows and fixing any obvious dripping taps, cisterns or pipes. If you think you have a water leak, report it to your water provider straight away.
#2. Keep a jug of water in the fridge
Instead of letting the tap run while you wait for cold water, fill a jug and keep it in the fridge. It’s a far cheaper habit than buying bottled water, and just as refreshing.
#3. Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are full
Washing machines and dishwashers are two of the biggest water users in the home. A washing machine on a full cycle can use up to 75 litres of water, while a dishwasher uses around 16 litres. Waiting until you have a full load conserves water and helps keep your energy bill down too.
#4. Don’t flush it all away!
A third of all the water used in the home is flushed down the toilet. Some larger toilet cisterns can work just as effectively with a smaller flush. Try placing a displacement device — such as a bottle filled with water — into the cistern to reduce the amount of water used per flush.
#5. Don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth
Turning the tap off while you brush can save a surprising amount of water over the course of a year — it’s one of the easiest habits to build with kids too.
#6. Take shorter showers
A 5-minute shower uses around 35 litres of water in a regular shower, and significantly more in a power shower. Shortening shower time — even by a minute or two — is one of the simplest ways to conserve water at home.
#7. Use a bucket of water, not a hose
A hose can use more water in an hour than an average family uses in a whole day. Try using a bucket and sponge to clean windows or wash the car instead, and a watering can rather than a hose in the garden.
#8. Use a basin to wash and clean your fruit and vegetables
Instead of letting the tap run, use a basin to rinse and clean fruit and vegetables. You can even reuse the leftover water to give your potted plants a drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest way to start reducing water use at home?
Small habit changes make the biggest difference to begin with — turning off the tap while brushing teeth, keeping a jug of water in the fridge, and only running full loads in the washing machine or dishwasher. None of these require any cost or equipment to get started.
Does a shorter shower really make a difference?
Yes. Showers are one of the biggest sources of water use in most homes, so even cutting a few minutes off shower time regularly adds up to a meaningful saving over a year.
How do I know if I have a water leak?
Keep an eye on your water meter readings during periods when the house is empty or water use is low, such as a day at work or a short trip away. A meter that keeps moving when no taps are running is a sign of a possible leak — check for dripping taps, cisterns and pipes, and contact your water provider if you’re unsure.
Do these tips work for families with young kids?
Definitely — many of these tips are great habits to build together, like turning off the tap while brushing teeth or using a basin to wash vegetables. They’re simple enough for kids to understand and get involved with.
Have your own tips on reducing water use? Share them with us in the comments below.
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