Water is an essential resource needed for a range of functions around the home. Every day we wash, water, rinse, clean, and drink… it’s easy to take water for granted!
Have you ever considered how much water your household might be wasting? The average Australian individual uses about 200 litres of water every day. Multiply that by a household of 4, and that equates to over 29,000 litres per year.
Not only is water wastage bad for our environment, it’s also expensive when billing time comes around. By checking how much water your household uses, you can identify where you’re literally leaking water (and money).
Here’s how to do a water usage audit for your home.
STEP 1: READ YOUR METER
Your water meter is the most obvious place to start your water audit. When you look at your meter, record the black (kilolitres) and red (litres) numbers. Do this at the same time each day for a week.
When you have your week’s worth of readings, calculate your daily usage by deducting the previous meter reading from the current reading.
It’s important to remember that you’ll use different amounts of water at different times of year. For example, in summer you’ll probably water your plants more. If you’ve got a pool, you’ll be topping it up too.
Most water companies supply usage statistics on your bill, too. Comparing your bill with the numbers you’re seeing on your meter can help you understand your usage more fully.
STEP 2: COMPLETE A SIMPLE AUDIT CHECKLIST
Now it’s time to get down to the details. Complete the checklist below to figure out approximately how much water you use in each room, for each function. You’ll probably be surprised by some of the numbers, and identify where you need to apply some conservation tactics.
You may even notice some discrepancies that could indicate an undetected leak!
KITCHEN
- Do you have a dishwasher?
- How many times a week do you use it?
- Do you have flow restrictors on your kitchen taps?
- How many times do you wash dishes by hand each week?
Conservation tips and hints
- Although they’re much bigger than your sink, dishwashers actually use less water than filling the sink and washing up by hand. When buying a new dishwasher, look for ones with the most stars on their label – these are cost-effective and water-efficient.
- Dripping taps can waste up to 200 litres of water a day. If you have a leaky tap, don’t put off fixing it!
- Don’t rinse dishes under a running tap – fill up a second sink (if you have one) and use that as your rinsing bowl.
LAUNDRY
- Do you have a top or front load washing machine?
Conservation tips and hints
- Top loaders use around 80 litres per load, while front load machines use only about 30 litres per load. Take this into account when buying a washing machine (and look for lots of energy rating stars).
- Also, take care with your water levels when putting on a load. Does it really require full water, or can you get away with a half water level?
BATHROOM
- How long does each member of your household take in the shower?
- Do you use a water-saving shower head?
- How many times a week do you take baths?
- Do you have a single or dual flush toilet?
- Do you let the tap run when brushing your teeth?
- Do you flush the toilet every time?
- Do your toilet or taps leak?
Conservation tips and hints
- A 5 minute shower uses 45 litres of water, but it takes around 80 litres to fill a bath. So keep baths in the luxury category where possible!
- While you’re waiting for your hot water to heat up, put a bucket under the tap to collect the water for use on the garden.
- A running tap uses around 16 litres of water each minute. Don’t leave the tap running when brushing your teeth or shaving.
OUTSIDE
- Do you have a pool?
- If you do, how often do you top it up?
- Do you have an irrigation system?
- If yes, how many times a week do you use it?
- Do you use a hose to wash your car?
Conservation tips and hints
- When not using the pool, put on pool cover to minimise evaporation.
- Instead of washing your car in the driveway with a hose, wash it at facilities that use recycled water.
- Use a drip irrigation system and put it on a timer to ensure you’re watering outside of sunny hours to avoid losing water to evaporation.
One of the best things you can do to conserve water is to install a water tank. Water tanks harvest rainwater and store it for later use in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and in the garden.
ASC Water Tanks have been supplying Australian homes with rainwater tanks since 2007. No matter the size of your home, ASC Water Tanks can provide solutions for every household.
Give us a call on 1300 229 606 to discuss getting a water-saving tank for your home.
