Australians are among the biggest users of water in the world, however we live in one of the world driest countries. Our rivers and land are increasingly under stress and water resources for our cities becoming less reliable. The good news is using less water is easy.

You can do all the things you do right now - like have a good hot shower - with less water. Plus you'll save money, protect the environment and help make sure our water supply is sustainable for future generations.

Up to half the water we use at home goes in the bathroom. Toilets uses more than anything else - up to 12 litres for each flush. But a new AAA-rated dual-flush toilet can use just 3 or 6 liters. In the shower, new AAA showerheads use less than 10 liters per minute compared with up to 20 liters for a normal head. When you're buying a water-using appliance, look for the Water Conservation Rating label - the more 'A's the better.

Another easy way to save water is simply to use the plug. A running tap can waste 17 liters a minute. When you're washing fruit or your hands, rinsing dishes or shaving, use a half-filled sink rather than a running tap. When brushing your teeth, wet your brush then use a glass of water to rinse. Every drop counts. It may take an effort at first but using the plug will soon become a habit and it costs nothing.


SAVING WATER IN YOUR GARDEN

An estimated 35-50% of household water is used within the garden, and not used efficiently. Often we grow plants that aren't suited to our environment and which requires over watering them – In Australia it his something that we cannot afford to do.

By following these simple steps it is possible to save up to four thousand liters of water

Don’t empty your swimming pool in winter.

Using a trigger nozzle on a garden hose means no wasting water while you move the hose around, - a garden hose sprays approximately one thousand litres of water an hour.

Sweep paths with a broom

Simply by washing your car on the lawn, can save four hundred liters of water, using a sponge and a bucket of soapy water to wash each panel of your car, spay to rinse before moving on to each part of your car. Dry with a clean cloth.

By designing your own garden it is possible to cut your water usage in half. Water efficient gardens help create the most out of your space and always look good.

Drip irrigation is the most efficient watering method available. This flexible piping takes fifteen minutes to slowly drip one liter of water into soil at the base of your plants, compared to a spay with a garden hose, which takes just five seconds to spray one liter of water and can be subject to run off or overspray, waste through wind and evaporation.