Episode: VIC Special
Date: 24th January
Story: Saving water inside the home
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane

When it comes to saving water, the biggest opportunity to do so is inside the home. Trevor shows us how to save water indoors and you will be staggered at how much can be saved by making a few simple changes.

Quick Facts

• In a typical suburban home, about 51% of all water is used in the bathroom, 22% is used in the laundry, 19% is used in the garden and 8% in the kitchen.
• Households used more than 60 per cent of Melbourne's water in 2007-08.

Bathroom

• Before buying a new bathroom appliance, check the manufacturer?s water efficiency labels.
• Old style shower heads use 15-20 litres of water per minute but by changing to a 3 star ?water efficient showerhead, you can save up to 50 litres of water for each shower or up to 20,000 litres of water per person per year.
• Use a shower timer and spend four or less minutes in the shower.

Laundry

• There are many inexpensive ways to save water in the laundry. One of the simplest changes you can make is change from a top loader to a front loader which is more water efficient.

• Wash with a full load- this will save you 10 litres of water each wash.
• Look for washing machines that have four or more star rating.

Kitchen

• The dishwasher is the highest consumer of water in the kitchen so make sure you install a water efficient model. The best water rating is a five star.
• Only use your dishwasher when it?s full.
• Wash your vegetables and fruit with half a sink of water rather than under running water.
• When washing the dishes, catch running water while waiting for it to warm up and use it to water plants, rinse dishes or wash fruit and vegetables.
• Use flow control aerators for taps. These devices reduce water flow by 50% and are inexpensive.
  

Toilet

• The new 4-star rated toilets by Caroma can save the average home up to 35,000 litres per year. These new toilets use just 4.5 litres for a full flush and 3 litres for a half flush.
• By purchasing gadgets such as Waterwizz and Flexiflush, you can reduce the volume of water used with each flush.

There are rebates on offer for changing old shower heads, toilets and hot water circulators. Rebates also apply for installing grey water recycling systems and for installing a rainwater tank. It couldn?t get any easier to save water in the home!

For more information visit:

Yarra Valley Water
Head Office:
Lucknow Street
Mitcham VIC 3132
Mailing Address:
Private Bag 1
Mitcham VIC 3132
Phone: 13 1721
Email: enquiry@yvw.com.au
Website: http://www.yvw.com.au?

The Department of Sustainability and Environment
Head Office Address: 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, VIC 3002
Phone: 136 186
Website: www.ourwater.vic.gov.au

For more tips on saving water also visit www.savewater.com.au