Are you water wise?

The kitchen, bathroom, and laundry are three areas in the home where huge amounts of water are used. Water consumption in these areas can be reduced using a few simple steps.	In the summer months, outdoor water use causes overall water demand to increase. By using water wisely, you can help to reduce this. Here are some suggestions:
Inside the house	Outside the house
Avoid running the tap continuously when rinsing dishes, cleaning fruits and vegetables, brushing teeth, shaving, or washing your face. Run dishwashers with only full loads. Keep a container of water in the fridge to avoid running water for a cold drink. Check your toilet for leaks by placing food colouring in the water tank. If colouring appears in the bowl without flushing, there is a leak. Install low-flow toilet and shower fixtures. Take shorter showers. When buying a new washing machine, consider a water and energy efficient model. Turn taps off tightly after each use.	Do not over-water your lawn. To stay healthy, most lawns need 2.5 cm of water per week, equal to about 1 hour of sprinkling per week. Avoid watering during the hottest time of day, when water is lost to evaporation. Let grass grow tall, as it will shade new growth and reduce evaporation. Leave organic materials like grass clippings on your lawn to build up the soil, reduce evaporation, and encourage healthy growth. Aerate your lawn at least once a year to ensure that nutrients, oxygen, and water can penetrate the soil. In your garden, use a watering can instead of the hose. Follow xeriscape principles, using creative landscaping and slow-growing, drought tolerant plants to reduce the need for grass and to conserve water.

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