Saving Water

"Don't Waste a Drop!"

Summer in Australia arrives with a sense of foreboding. Every year the season is riddled with bushfires and the threat of drought from the dry arid conditions.

2002 is no different, with the media reporting one of the worst droughts since the early 1900's Victoria is already suffering the full force of government imposed restrictions and in NSW, Agricultural figures show 96% of the state is drought declared.

Drought or no drought, water shouldn't be something we take for granted. It is a precious resource of which we need to be smart about sustaining.

Population growth ensures the continual rise of water consumption. Driven by climate change and global warming, the future years expect a reduction in rainfall, which will produce more and more dry spells. The implications of climate change are grave, however with better education and understanding, coupled with a respect for our land, from large companies to ordinary households we can better manage our water resources and ensure our future is one of smart conservation.

The bathroom is a water wasting hot spot. Of all the water consumed in the home, approximately 40% is attributed to the bathroom. CLEAR SOLUTIONS BATHWARE have responded to the impact of the drought by releasing some water saving tips for the bathroom.

• Turn off the tap when brushing teeth.
  
• When shaving, fill the basin instead of letting water run.
  
• A quick shower uses less hot water than a full bath tub.
  
• Consider installing low flow, water efficient showerheads and taps in the home. Clear Solutions Graphic Basin Mixers have built in water flow control (From $355) and their Como Showerhead (Priced from $159.00) use a maximum of 13L/minute.
  
• Have a full load of washing before starting the machine.
  
• Avoid dripping by turning off taps firmly. Also fix any leaks you may have.
  
• Don't use the toilet as a rubbish bin! Flushing away tissues etc is not how to win ecological brownie points. Get a rubbish bin for the bathroom. Clear Solutions Stainless Steel pedal bins start from $59.00.
  
• Fix any toilet leaks. To check for leaks, put a couple of drops of food colouring in the tank, wait 10 minutes. If without flushing the colour appears in the bowl you have a leak, which is costly and wasteful. Get it fixed.
  
• Limit the length of your shower. Reducing showering time by 1 minute can save 2,000 gallons of water per year.
  
• The toilet has the dubious honour of being the largest water consumer in the home, using over 13,000 gallons of fresh water per year. As from approximately a decade ago, all toilets have to, by Australian standards have dual flush action, which is 3L of half flush and 6 L for full flush.
  

As the long hot Australian summer swelters down upon us, consider how much water you really need to use at home and how much is desperately needed elsewhere. Make water conservation a priority.