Our Water Smart City
Townsville continues to experience the impact of variable climate and uncertain wet seasons. For our city to grow sustainably, it is important we ensure our water services meet future demands and empower our community to create lasting waterwise changes.
On this page you will find hints and tips on being water smart and conserving water in your home.
Conserving Water Use Outdoors
Did you know that more than 70% of total household water in Townsville is used on our lawns and gardens?
Data shows that when it rains in Townsville, water use across the city drops dramatically. When it doesn’t rain, water use increases significantly. There are many smart practices people can adopt to keep gardens and lawns healthy without requiring lots of water.
The city is currently under water conservation measures due to an algal bloom at the Ross River Dam. When these naturally occurring blooms occur, it slows the water treatment process because additional mechanisms, which need more time to work efficiently, are put in place to treat the water. These Australian standard controls are in place to continue to provide quality water to households and require the community to conserve their water use for the duration of the bloom.
Waterwise Videos
There are a lot of ways we can all play a part in reducing water use and help Townsville to become a water smart city.
Water Smart Plants with Helen
Learn about the benefits of using native plants in your garden and how it can help save water and attract local wildlife.
Get a Wriggle on with Eco Joe
Worm farming and composting tips and tricks!
Maintaining your Irrigation System with Dan
What's involved with Irrigation Optimisation?
Get your Wobble on with Eco Joe
The Australian Made Wobble T sprinkler is one of the best water saving sprinklers on the market.
Factsheets
Our water smart factsheets provide great advice about water behaviours and water efficiency ideas for both inside and outside of the home.
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Why We Pay for Water
The cost of water includes purifying water from the dam. Electricity is required to pump this precious resource through kilometres of pipelines to your home. -
Aquaponics - Gardening with Fish
Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture (growing fish) and hydroponics (growing vegetables in water and nutrients). -
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How to Check for Leaks
Let’s work together to save 76,650 litres of water a year by regularly checking taps, pipes, and fittings around your property for leaks. -
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Irrigation Setting Guide
Determine how long you should water for - as a general rule Townsville lawns require around 12mm of water, applied twice a week. -
Lawn Care Guide - Fertiliser
Determine how long you should water for - as a general rule Townsville lawns require around 12mm of water, applied twice a week. -
Lawn Care Guide - Lawn Species
Learn how choosing the right turf can save you up to 13 Sundays a year. -
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Lawn Care Guide - Soils
What type of soil do you have? Growing a strong lawn starts with knowing your soil and understanding which one you have could mean the difference between having a strong, healthy lawn or a sick one. -
Seasonal Adjustments
By adjusting your irrigation controller throughout the year, this will ensure your garden is getting the correct amount of water it needs to thrive in our climate. -
What is a Wicking Bed?
Wicking beds are garden beds that water themselves from the bottom up. Traditional garden beds are watered from the top down.
Seasonal Lawn Care Calendars
Together we can be a water smart city.
Did you know that more than 70% of total household water in Townsville is used on our lawns and gardens. Water no more than twice a week in the dry and never when it’s wet.
- Dry Season Lawn Guide (PDF, 207.1 KB)
- Wet Season Lawn Guide (PDF, 198.6 KB)
Water Smart Garden – Anderson Gardens
The Water Smart Garden was created to show just how easy it is to achieve your own water smart garden at home.
The garden contains four zones that will teach you how to become a sustainability giant! These include: water, energy, waste and biodiversity.
You’ll learn how small changes can make a big difference – like reducing your water use, carbon footprint and household waste.
The Water Smart Garden is located in Anderson Gardens, across from Kokoda Memorial Pool.
Saving Water at Home
We all have a range of water appliances in our homes. Have you ever wondered how much water they might use?
Below are estimates of typical water consumption to help you understand how much water is being consumed for different purposes and how you can save this precious resource by making some really simple changes.
In the Garden
You can make a difference by switching off your automatic system in the rainy season to save thousands of litres!
- A common sprinkler uses up to 2,100 litres per hour.
- A low flow sprinkler uses less than 600 litres per hour and is better for your lawn.
In the Bathroom
Showers
You can make a difference by showering for less than four minutes and save up to 21,353 litres per year!
- A normal showerhead uses 17 litres per minute.
- A water saving showerhead uses 8 litres per minute.
Toilet
- An old-style single flush uses 12 litres per flush.
- A modern dual flush uses three litres for a half flush and six litres for a full flush.
In the Kitchen
You can make a difference by rinsing dishes in a plugged sink and washing fruit and vegetables in a tub and then using water on the garden.
- Washing dishes by hand uses 18 litres of water.
- Using an old dishwasher uses 60 litres per cycle.
- Using a modern dishwasher uses 18 litres per cycle.
Leaks
You can make a difference by regularly checking your property for water leaks and save about 76,650 litres a year!
- A dripping tap uses 30 to 50 litres per day
- A leaking pipe uses more than 7,000 per day
- A leaking toilet uses 10 to 260 litres per day
Checking for Underground Leaks
To check for underground leaks:
- turn off all taps on your property including the irrigation shut-off valve next to your water meter (if you have one)
- make sure no one is using water
- take a reading of the water meter
- check to see if the far right hand dial on the water meter is moving
- take another reading in one hour – this will be your leakage per hour
- see how it compares with your Level 3 target of 1,000 litres per household per day
- if the reading has not changed, repeat the process with the irrigation shut-off valve open (if you have one)
- if the reading has changed or the dial is moving, contact a licensed plumber to locate and repair the leak.
If the self check doesn’t indicate an underground leak and you believe the meter is faulty, you can contact the Customer Service Centre or email Townsville Water to arrange to have the meter tested.
Please note that a fee applies for this service.
Water Saving Tips
Water Saving Tip #1
Reduce the amount of water in a bath by filling to no more than half tub and save 9152 litres per year.
Water Saving Tip #2
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and save 30268 litres of water a year.
Water Saving Tip #3
Only use the washing machine when there is a full load and save 19968 litres per year.
Water Saving Tip #4
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks and driveways and save 13500 litres per year.
Water Saving Tip #5
Check and repair all leaks in and around the home and save 76650 litres per year.
Water Saving Tip #6
Water no more than twice a week in the dry and never when it's wet and save 72000 litres per year.
Useful Links
The following websites provide useful information and water saving ideas:
