Saving water

The average New Zealand family uses between 250 to 300 litres of water per person per day. Most of this is through showers, baths, washing clothes and watering the garden.

Use our tips to help save water – they will also help you save money. 

Smart water-saving tips

In the home

• Wait until you have a full load before you turn on the dishwasher or washing machine, or use the half-load setting if you have one.
• When buying a new washing machine, look for the AAA Water Conservation rating.
• Turn the water off while brushing your teeth or soaping your hands.
• Run a shallower bath, or have a quick shower instead.
• Capture "greywater" in a bucket when you are showering and doing dishes, and use it to water your garden or to flush a toilet.
• If your toilet has a dual-flush button, use the half flush and think twice about whether you really need to flush. Use a cistern weight or a brick within the toilet cistern to reduce water when flushing.
• Keep a jug of drinking water in the fridge and keep it topped up. Running the tap to cool water can waste 10 litres a minute.
• Let the car go dusty – show what a conscientious water conserver you are. When you do wash it, use a bucket on your lawn rather than a hose in the driveway.
• Deal with dripping taps and leaking pipes as quickly as possible.
• Turn the water off at the mains when you go on holiday.
• Share these tips with your visitors.

In the garden

• Use buckets or watering cans, not the hose.
• Water plants during the cooler parts of the day.
• Use washing up or vegetable water on the plants.
• Use mulch to help retain moisture and keep out thirsty weeds.
• Grow plants that flourish in dry conditions.
• Give your garden a good soak every few days, rather than a quick drink every night. The roots will go deeper into the soil to seek out moisture.

Is your water bill higher than it should be? Find out how to check for water leaks.