SAVE WATER

By 2021 Australians using more water-efficient products can:

• Save more than $600 million on water and energy bills
• Save more than 87,200 megalitre of water per year (about 43,000 Olympic swimming pools)
• Save about 61,000 megalitres of water (more than in the Sydney Harbour)*
  

There are many things we can do in and around our homes to save water and ensure we utilise this precious and finite resource wisely. Most Victorian homes use an average of 400 litres of water every day. Around 30 per cent is used for household purposes and 20 per cent is flushed down the toilet.

Current Victorian water restrictions 

Uniform water restrictions, stages 1-4, and Permanent Water Saving Measures are used throughout Victoria. The Melbourne region will remain on stage 3a restrictions until November 30.

Saving water when building or renovating

Building and renovating is an ideal time to make your home more water wise.

New homes

All new homes built in Victoria must comply with the 5 Star standard. The 5 Star standard requires:

• 5 Star energy rating for building fabric and water saving measures including water saving tapware, flow reducing showerheads and water pressure reduction to 500kPa at outlets within the home, plus
• Either a rainwater tank for toilet flushing or an approved solar hot water service
  

Renovations

From 1 May 2008, the 5 Star standard will be extended to cover house alterations. The changes will not require solar hot-water systems or rainwater tanks. You can also save significant amounts of water by installing water saving tapware and showerheads, rainwater tanks, stormwater systems or greywater systems (to divert wastewater to your garden or for toilet flushing). You should also consider water saving options when design your garden.

If you are planning to install water saving devices, always ensure you use a licensed plumber for any plumbing installations.

Whether you are choosing, designing or renovating your home, some simple improvements can improve the comfort of your home as well as help fight climate change. A water efficient house can be a key selling point when you choose to sell your home.

How can i save water?

Around 50 per cent of the water you use is for household use. Saving water around the home can be achieved in many ways, including using water-efficient washing machines and dishwashers or installing a greywater system or a rainwater tank for toilet flushing or garden watering.

Saving water around the home is not only good for the environment, it can save you money. Government rebates are available on water saving products and systems.

Did you know?

• The average family flushes in fresh drinking water the equivalent of 80 litres of milk or nine slabs of beer down the toilet every day. There are many alternatives that can help you save water.

H2OME, A guide to permanent water savings in you home

The Department of Sustainability and Environment has recently released H2OME A guide to permanent water savings in your home,  a comprehensive guide to incorporating permanent water saving measures throughout your home. The guide focuses on the options and choices that arise when building, buying or extending a home. It helps home owners understand how these choices can either potentially lock you into using more water than you need, or allow you to permanently and easily reduce your water use. It brings together information and advice about a wide range of water conservation and alternative supply measures in a simple and easy to read format, so you can develop the best package of measures for your circumstances. Download a copy of the guide for more information.

* Source www.waterrating.gov.au

Every drop counts - save water!

• Did you know that 75% of residential water use is used indoors? Water leaks can also add to water consumption. Something as simple as a dripping tap can prove costly, so it's better to detect leaks as soon as possible. There many ways to save water in the home.  

Fixing leaks

• A slowly dripping tap can waste 20,000 litres in a year. Check for drips!

National Water Week

• 2008 National Water Week - Coming soon.

Need help? Useful links and resources

• GRAS (Greywater Rainwater Automated Solutions)
  Ppermanent grey water system, approved by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
  
• Our Water
• Save Water 
• Showerhead exchange
  What is the showerhead exchange program?
• Swimming Pool and Spa Association (SPASA)
• Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA)
  Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) is a non-government, non-profit organisation founded in 2003 to raise awareness of the environmental consequences of conventional gardening practices and to provide realistic and sustainable alternatives.
• Victorian Government water plan
• Victorian Indigenous Nursery Co-operative (VINC)
  VINC is a not for profit co-operative run by a Board of Management
• Video tutorials on water efficient homes
  Instructional videos from Save Water to help you with some simple steps to making your home more water efficient.
• Water and energy efficient products
  Well designed products can help the environment and help you save money on water and energy bills.
• Waterless toilets
  Find out more about waterless toilets
  
• WELS Scheme: Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS scheme).

Plumbers and plumbing

• Accredited plumbers
• Use a licensed plumber - Plumbing Industry Commission of Victoria
• Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Australia

Water saving rebates

• Frequently asked questions on rebates
• Information on rebates is offered by the Victorian Government on a range of water saving products.