General Tips
- Be aware of the current water restrictions.
- If you're about to buy a water-using product such as a washing machine or a dishwasher, find out first how WELS water efficiency ratings can save you money and help the environment.
- Regularly check your property for water leaks.
- Repair dripping taps and leaking toilets. A dripping tap can waste up to 12,000 Litres of water each year.
- Report all significant water losses (broken pipes, open hydrants, or errant sprinklers) to the property owner or to the council. Contact the Customer Service Centre or send an email to Townsville Water.
- Create an awareness of the need for water conservation among your children. Avoid the purchase of recreational water toys that require a constant stream of water.
- Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as watering a plant or garden. Follow this link to find out about greywater reuse.
Bathroom
- Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth and use a glass for rinsing.
- Don’t rinse your razor under a running tap – use a little warm water in the sink for rinsing
- Take shorter showers.
- Replace your showerhead with a water efficent showerhead.
- You shouldn't notice the difference in showering experience and can save around $50 to $100 in water and energy costs every year.
Toilet
- Repair leaking toilets.
- Use the half-flush button on your toilet when appropriate.
- If you have a single flush toilet:
- Insert a water displacement device into your tank. You either can purchase one or place a plastic bottle filled with water in the cistern. Make sure it doesn’t obstruct the mechanism. Don’t use bricks as they can crumble and stop the system working properly; or
- Have a plumber adjust the flush volume of your cistern; or
- Replace the toilet with a water efficient dual flush toilet. You could save up to 8 litres of water every time you use the half flush instead of the full flush.
Kitchen
- Keep a container of water in the fridge so you don't need to run water down the sink until it is cool enough to drink.
- Only use one glass for drinking water during the day to reduce washing up.
- Rinse your dishes in a plugged sink, rather than under a running tap. This saves water and is just as simple and effective.
- Soak pots and pans rather than running water while you scrub them.
- Consider purchasing a water efficient dishwasher. Older dishwashers can use up to 60 litres of water per load but some newer model dishwashers are very water efficient: WELS 4 Star dishwashers can use less than 1 litre per place setting – that’s less water than many people use washing dishes by hand.
- Always try to fully load the dishwasher before using it and use the economy cycle if you have one. This saves water and energy as well as reducing the amount of detergent entering the sewerage system.
- Clean vegetables in a pan of water and not under a running tap.
- Kitchen sink disposals 10 litres of water each time as an alternative start a compost pile instead for disposing of food waste.
- Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the fridge or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
Laundry
- If you buy a new washing machine, choose a water efficient front-loading model. This will save up to and over 50 litres every wash.
- Ensure each cycle is a full load, or adjust the water level to match the size of the load. Save up to 10 litres each wash.
- Divert the wash water from your laundry to other uses, such as flushing your toilet or watering your garden.
- Keep your washing machine in good working order and remember to regularly clean the lint filter.
Taps
- Prevent taps from leaking by turning taps off lightly and replace washers as soon as they begin to leak.
- Regularly check for water leaks, both by checking taps, but also using the water meter.
- Slow the Flow
- Install water efficient taps or tap aerators. This is an inexpensive way to cut your water usage without you even noticing.
- A flow regulator fitted to a tap suits areas with a wide variation in mains water pressure, delivering a reduced, but even flow of water.
- An aerator is fitted to the tap nozzle. It reduces the flow and mixes air with the water stream.
- Benefits of slowing the flow
- Save 7-10 litres of water a minute flowing down the drain.
- ‘Softer’ water, with less splashing
- Reduced hot water bills
- Minimise the annoyance of erratic water pressure when more than one tap is turned on
- Can reduce water ‘hammer’ – a shockwave of high pressure in the pipes when a tap is turned off suddenly.
More Information
The following websites provide useful information and water saving ideas:
For more information, please contact the Customer Service Centre or send an email to Townsville Water.