Get the most out of your rainwater tank water by utilising these handy hints!
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| Rainwater Tanks, Victoria (Australia) |
- You have gone to all the trouble and expense to gather your rainwater, ensure you maintain your rainwater tank and connections.
- Checking for leaks in taps, pipes and dishwasher hoses is an easy way to reduce water wastage.
- Remember, one leaking tap can waste more than 2,000 litres a month.
- There’s no need to leave the tap running while you brush your teeth. Simply wet your toothbrush before you begin and use a glass of water to rinse your mouth.
- The most water efficient methods for cooking vegetables are microwaving, steaming or using a pressure cooker. You can also cut down on water loss by using tight lids on pots and simmering instead of boiling rapidly.
- Installing water efficient taps or tap aerators is a great, inexpensive way to cut your water usage without you even noticing.
- Put the plug in the sink when washing your hands instead of holding them under running water.
- Make sure gutters and pipes are unobstructed to catch the maximum amount of rainwater possible in your tanks.
- Thaw frozen foods before you need them or use the microwave instead of placing them under running water.
- Prevent taps from leaking by turning taps off lightly and replace washers as soon as they begin to leak to conserve precious rainwater in your tanks.
- Automatic dishwashers can use up to 40 litres of water per load. By using a dishwasher with at least a 3 star/AAA rating1, you can get this figure down to 18 litres per load and still get the kind of sparkling clean dishes you’re used to.
- Tanks are a great addition to most homes but they must be maintained protected from accidental damage.
- Wait until you have a full load in your dishwasher before using it. This saves water and energy, and reduces the amount of detergent entering the sewerage system.
- Keep a container of water in the fridge so that you won’t need to run the water down the sink until it’s cool enough to drink when using rainwater tanks.
- Washing fruit and vegetables in a half-filled sink instead of under running water is a great way to cut back on water wastage when using tanks.
- Rinsing your dishes in a plugged sink rather than under a running tap saves water and is just as easy and effective.
- Use a sink strainer.
- Buy good rainwater tanks to start with!
- Choose the right rainwater tanks for your house, land, requirements and budget.
- Try to use phosphate-free, eco-friendly detergents and cleaning products on your tanks. There’s a great range to choose from these days and they’re much better for our environment.
- Remember to regularly clean the lint filter on your washing machine.
- Most washing machines have a load adjustment button or dial, so try to set this to match the amount of washing you’re doing. If your machine doesn’t have a load adjustment function, try to wait until you have enough washing for a full load.
- Installing one of the latest 3 star/AAA rating showerheads can give you a great shower and save you around 10 litres of water a minute. They also save you energy costs as you’ll use less hot water.
- To rinse your razor, run a little water into a plugged sink. Rinsing your razor under a running a tap wastes lots of water.
- Electric or fuel powered leaf blowers work more efficiently than hosing down paths and driveways.
- Pool covers reduce the amount of water you need to keep your pool full and running efficiently if using a rainwater tank.
- Periodically check your rainwater tanks to ensure they are clean and effective in catching all the available rainwater, regardless of the size or shape of your tanks.
Buy a rainwater tank in Victoria
