Water conservation

Our water is a taonga (‘a treasure’) and we all need to look after it.

In the hotter weather, it becomes harder to ensure that everyone has the water they need.

Even the smallest of savings can make a difference so we have shared some helpful tips below to conserve water around the home.

Bathroom and Laundry

• Shorter showers save water.
• Use a bucket to catch surplus water in the shower while you are waiting for it to heat up. When the water has cooled down, you can use it on the garden.
• Wait until you have a full load before starting the washing machine.
• Soak your washing in a bucket. When you have finished, water those parched plants!

Kitchen

• Turn your dishwasher on only when you have a full load.
• Wash your fruit and vegies in a bowl, rather than running the tap, and then reuse the water.
• Compost or worm farm your food scraps. Waste disposal units use 30 litres of water daily.

Outside

• Use a timer on your sprinklers – saves you forgetting to turn them off.
• A good quality mulch on the garden retains moisture, stops those pesky weeds and adds goodness to the earth as it breaks down.
• Watering your garden earlier in the morning or later in the evening minimises evaporation and maximises absorption.
• Grow your lawn a little longer in summer.