Outside the Home
Prevailing drought conditions and our country's natural tendency towards drought mean sustainable living practices are more important than ever.
Water is fundamental to our survival and must not be taken for granted.
Cleaning Around the Home
- Avoid using water where possible - use a broom to clean your pavement and brush down external areas of your home to remove things like cobwebs.
- Where essential, use a soapy bucket of water - i.e. cleaning of your wheely bin.
- If water is really needed, use high pressure cleaning units and other water efficient devices.
Pools & Spas
- Invest in a pool cover
This will reduce water loos due to normal evaporation. It can also reduce heating bills by preventing night heat loss and will save on chemicals too. This is the number one water and energy conservation device for your pool or spa.
- Repair leaks
Even tiny leaks in pool equipment or structure can result in great water loss.
- Manually clean your filter
You'll do a more thorough job and use less water.
- Avoid diving, splashing and water fights
Boisterous play causes incredible amounts of water loss due to splash-out.
- Maintain proper chemical levels and adequate circulation time
Not only will your pool water be safer and cleaner, but you can avoid the need for draining your pool or using excessive water to correct conditions of neglect.
- Re-evaluate the frequency of backwashing if your pool has no separation tank
Most people backwash more frequently than necessary wasting water and money. Some pool filters do not have to be backwashed at all; they can be taken apart and cleaned, even though the process may be less convenient.
Your Garden
- Change your habits
By changing your gardening habits, you can make a significant difference in the water needs of your garden while continuing to meet the ‘Target 140 litres/day/person' as part of the current water restrictions.
- Select the right plants
Choosing the right plants can save water and time. There is a great range of attractive native and exotic plants that thrive in dry conditions.
- Get some expert advice
Talk to your local nursery for recommendations on which plants suit your environment and how to take care of them.
- Switch to a drought resistant grass lawn
- Maintain your lawn correctly
Use fertiliser sparingly and adjust the cutting height of your mower leaving 1-25mm of grass (up to 40mm in hot weather) to protect soil surface and reduce evaporation.
- Use correct watering techniques
Water deeply but less often.
- Be innovative
Use an old plastic bottle with a small hole through the lid. Place this upside down at the roots of a plant for slow but deep drip soak.
Download the Is your garden as water smart as you? publication for more information.
Consider a Rainwater Tank
Rainwater tanks provide one of the ways in which Ipswich residents are moving towards more sustainable urban living, bringing significant benefits both to you and the environment by:
- saving you money on water bills;
- greater self-sufficiency;
- added value to your home;
- reduction of storm-water run-off;
- reducing demand on town water supply, therefore reducing need for new dams;
- protecting remaining environmental flows in rivers;
- reducing infrastructure operating costs, and reducing energy used in pumping water, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions; and
- rainwater is not bound by restrictions.
Download the Rainwater Tank - Benefits and Maintenance Fact Sheet for more information.
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