Staying waterwise in Tweed over summer

MANAGING summertime water use can be a challenge and Tweed Shire Council is reminding the community to be water-savvy in the heat.

The Waterwise Target 160 campaign encourages the goal of using no more than 160 litres of water per person per day by making small household changes.

Tweed Shire Council’s water cycle coordinator, Elizabeth Seidl, said residents should remember that water didn’t just fall from the sky and flow straight into the taps.

“Even when it’s raining outside, our drinking water supply is limited,” Seidl said.

“The council collects it, treats it, and delivers it through the supply network and that costs money, resources and energy.”

Seidl said that small water-wise steps, such as shower lengths, were important, particularly in households with young children and teenagers.

“You can use water-efficient showers and tapware all year round, but being mindful not to use excessive water is a good start,” she said.

“Also approaching Christmas, people like to do a cleanup of their property, so being mindful of how you use water there is also helpful.

 

“One thing to think about is perhaps installing a small rainwater tank for garden and pool use, that way you can substitute rainwater for the treated tap water.”

Research by The Water Conservancy has shown that most Australians value water in nature, but don’t value tap water in the same way.

“There’s a disconnect between their thoughts about water,” Seidl said.

“They think about lakes and rivers and rainfall, and 80 to 90 per cent of Australians are concerned with climate change and biodiversity and carbon emissions, but they’re not actually linking the water supply and the climate together.

“Our key message is that treated tap water is a finite resource, and we need to use it wisely, in the hotter months, even when it rains.”

Tweed Shire Council offers a water-saving rebate for shower heads and tapware to residents who wish to upgrade to four-star-rated fittings saving residents up to $100.

“Saving water is about protecting the Tweed’s environment and saving money, but also it’s the lifeblood of our region, and we all need to do our part to make sure there’s enough to go around,” Seidl said.

 

For information, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/target-160

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TOP 7 SUMMER WATER SAVING TIPS

1. Fix leaks: A dripping tap can waste over 30 litres a day, and a running toilet can waste up to 260 litres

2. Upgrade fixtures: Choose showerheads, taps and appliances with a 4-star water rating or higher

3. Cover the pool: Reducing evaporation could save up to 82 litres a day

4. Be garden-smart: A hose can use 15–20 litres per minute. Water in the cooler parts of the day, and plant drought-tolerant natives

5. Keep showers short: Every minute you shave off saves around 9 litres. Aim for 4 minutes or less

6. Be mindful of household clean up: Using brooms or blowers to clean driveways and outdoor areas can save 20+ litres per minute

7. Limit extended water play to manageable sessions: Not letting hoses run continuously for hours saves hundreds of litres an hour