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Share Your Ideas On How To Save Water

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Consultation has concluded

Bellingen Shire has not had any significant rainfall since March 2017. Council is therefore encouraging the community to conserve water wherever possible. Reducing water consumption will safeguard our precious water supply and also save money, conserve energy and protect the environment.

As river levels drop, the aquatic ecosystem becomes disturbed. Some fish are forced to seek refuge in scarce deep areas, which increases predators for a number of other essential river organisms. In addition, evaporation causes salinity levels to rise meaning some aquatic plants and animals are more likely to die. Lack of rain also causes water quality to deteriorate

Bellingen Shire has not had any significant rainfall since March 2017. Council is therefore encouraging the community to conserve water wherever possible. Reducing water consumption will safeguard our precious water supply and also save money, conserve energy and protect the environment.

As river levels drop, the aquatic ecosystem becomes disturbed. Some fish are forced to seek refuge in scarce deep areas, which increases predators for a number of other essential river organisms. In addition, evaporation causes salinity levels to rise meaning some aquatic plants and animals are more likely to die. Lack of rain also causes water quality to deteriorate, increasing the release of nitrogen and phosphorus which encourages algae growth that can be harmful to both humans and marine life.

Below are some handy hints on ways to save water:

At home

  • Fix leaky taps. Even a slow dripping tap can waste up to 20,000 litres a year. This is water that you pay for, but never use

  • Try a water saving shower head

  • Limit shower times to four minutes

  • Use only a little water in the bathtub

  • Turn off water while brushing your teeth

  • For older toilets without water saving features (like a dual flush), try filling up some of the space in your cistern by adding in a brick or some pebbles. This will decrease the volume of water used with each flush.

  • Only use your dishwasher and washing machine when they are full or alternatively change the settings to suit the load

  • Wash your fruit and vegetables in a bowl rather than under a running tap.

    In the garden

  • Don’t over-water your lawn.

  • Set your mower level higher and let your lawn grow longer. Keeping grass longer shades the soil surface and reduces evaporation loss.

  • If you have an outdoor pool or spa, reduce evaporation by keeping it covered when not in use.

  • Use a broom to clean your driveway

  • Use a bucket to wash the car or visit a commercial car wash that recycles water

  • Water plants deeply, but less frequently. This encourages deep root growth and drought tolerance

  • Consider installing a water tank

If you would like to share your ideas about how to conserve water, please add them via the brainstormer tool below.