It's time to look at water differently

The future of our water depends on all of us

Sydney's population is booming, and with more people comes more demand. It's time to look at water differently. 

Olympic gold medalist, Jess Fox, understands the importance of safeguarding clean drinking water for future generations, especially during severe droughts. At Sydney Water, we are actively preparing for tomorrow, ensuring that our children and grandchildren can enjoy the luxury of clean, accessible water.

Come on, Sydney - let's secure our water for the future. 

Your actions have a lasting impact

Every conscious effort you dedicate to water conservation has the power to make a difference. Take a look at these approaches to improve how efficiently you use water every day and reduce your costs at the same time.

Leaks

Lawns, gardens and sealed areas

Pools and spas

Bathrooms

Laundries

Kitchens

More ways to save water

Leaks

Addressing a leak promptly is the most efficient way to conserve water. Leaks come in two forms:

  • Visible leaks: Prioritise fixing leaks that you can see, as they are undoubtedly draining your money. A leaking toilet can squander up to 260 litres of water daily, while a dripping tap can waste as much as 200 litres a day. Contact your plumber or schedule a visit from one of our WaterFix® Residential plumbers for exclusive deals. They specialise in repairing visible leaks and installing water-efficient fittings in your home. 
  • Concealed leaks: These are hidden leaks underground or within walls and can be costly. If your bill has increased without explanation, you may have a concealed leak. Reach out to a specialist plumber or contact WaterFix Concealed Leaks.

Spotted a leak? Call your plumber or contact WaterFix Residential.

If you're experiencing financial difficulties, you may be eligible for free essential plumbing with PlumbAssist®.

Washing your car on the lawn lets you water the grass, too.

Lawns, gardens and sealed areas

  • Use a watering can or hose with a trigger nozzle to target specific areas, avoiding overwatering.
  • Water before 10 am or after 4 pm to minimise water loss through evaporation.
  • Consult your local nursery for advice on drought-resistant trees and plants suitable for your climate and soil.
  • Promptly remove weeds to prevent them from drawing water away from your plants.
  • Group plants with similar water needs to avoid overwatering any of them.
  • Direct water to the roots, not the leaves.
  • If considering a garden watering system, opt for one with water efficiency options to prevent overwatering. A sprinkler, for instance, uses 900 litres every hour.
  • If considering a garden watering system, opt for one with water efficiency options to prevent overwatering. A sprinkler, for instance, uses 900 litres every hour.
  • When washing vehicles, do so on the lawn using a bucket or hose with a trigger nozzle to water and fertilise the grass simultaneously.
  • Use a broom or rake, not a hose, to clear leaves or debris from driveways and hard surfaces.
  • When laying a new lawn, choose resilient varieties like buffalo, kikuyu, or couch, and inquire about new drought-resistant varieties.
  • Avoid mowing the lawn too short, as taller grass forms deeper roots and copes better with less water.
  • Leave grass clippings to return moisture, nutrients, and organic matter to the soil.

Pools and spas

  • Reduce evaporation by 40%–90% by using a pool blanket or liquid pool cover, applied and removed easily with a roller.
  • Avoid overfilling, as it can impact the filter's effectiveness. Maintain water at about halfway up the skimmer box.
  • Increase shade and add walls and hedges to minimise evaporation and protect swimmers from the sun.
  • Discourage splashing outside the pool to retain water.
  • Backwash the filter only when necessary, keeping the pool and filters clean to reduce the frequency. Cartridge filters may not need backwashing at all.
  • If using a sand filter, backwash until the water is clear to avoid unnecessary water waste (4–6 weeks interval, using up to 8,000 litres a year).
  • Repair leaks promptly to avoid water wastage and potential damage to the pool's foundations.

You can reduce evaporation by 40%–90% by using a pool cover.

Do-it-yourself pool check
1 Walk around the pool's edge and check between the pool and the filter equipment. Look for wet or eroded areas.
2 Inspect the plumbing and watch for obvious leaks.
3 Check if running the filter affects water loss.
4 Check your pool for cracks or tears. Inspect the tile line and inside the skimmer box.
5 Check the lighting. Underwater lights are often the source of leaks.

Showering for 4 minutes instead of 10 can save 54 litres of water a day.

Bathrooms

  • Shorten showers to save water—every minute under a standard showerhead uses approximately 9 litres.
  • Use a plug to retain water in the sink for rinsing your razor or washing your face, avoiding letting the tap run.
  • Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
  • Install a WELS 4-star rated showerhead to save on water and energy costs (efficient showerheads use 6–7 litres per minute compared to older ones using 15–25 litres).
  • Opt for a dual-flush toilet when replacing the old one. Modern dual-flush toilets use significantly less water—4.5 litres per full flush and 3 litres per half flush.
  • Take advantage of special offers from WaterFix Residential on water saving showerheads, taps and toilets.

Laundries

  • Only run the washing machine with a full load.
  • When replacing your washing machine, choose a front loader, which uses about 60 litres per load compared to top loaders using 110 litres.
  • Adjust water levels based on load size and use the economy cycle if available.
  • Pre-treat stains to avoid rewashing.
  • Reuse clothes and towels before placing them in the washing basket.
  • If hand washing, use less washing powder to reduce rinsing. Wash items together to save water.
  • Check for visible leaks. WaterFix Residential can help to fix them.

Kitchens

  • Keep water in the fridge by filling a jug, eliminating the need to wait for tap water to run cold.
  • Wash vegetables in a plugged sink or, better yet, in a bucket or bowl, collecting water for plant irrigation.
  • Thaw frozen food in the fridge or microwave, not under a running tap.
  • Run the dishwasher only when it's full.
  • Skip the pre-rinse—scrape plates and cutlery before loading them in the dishwasher.
  • Take advantage of special offers from WaterFix Residential on water saving kitchen tap set replacements.

Don't do half loads in the dishwasher.

More ways to save water

  • Consider greywater reuse. Greywater is reusable wastewater from washing machines, showers, baths and basins. Untreated, it's a good source of important nutrients for many plants. When it's treated, you can also use it to flush toilets and wash your clothes.
  • Install a rainwater tank. If a rainwater tank is properly installed and plumbed into your home, you could save up to 40% of your drinking water supply and $200 a year off your water bills.
  • Set a target for the water you use. You can see your average daily water use on your water bill, and keep an eye on your water meter to track of how much water you're using.
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