Water use & conservation

Water is a precious resource in the Pilbara and residents are encouraged to use it wisely. Here are some tips to consider.

Outside the home

• Water your lawn only when it looks like it needs it and try to water both the lawn and garden in the cooler part of the day, before 9am or after 6pm.
• Wash your car on the lawn and use a bucket, not a running hose.

Inside the home

• Take a shower instead of a bath. A short shower uses about a third as much water as a bath. An average shower uses about 25 litres of water per minute and, the hotter it is, the more power it will use.
• Dishwashers and washing machines can both use a lot of water. Try not to operate them with small loads. When buying, look for models with good water efficiency ratings. Front loading washing machines generally use less water than top loaders.
• Leaving the tap running when washing dishes, fruit and vegetables or brushing your teeth can waste up to 15 litres a minute.

Maintenance

• Fix leaky taps and cisterns. Water from a dripping tap adds up over time. Check for worn tap washers and replace if necessary.
• High water pressure means more water used. If you have extreme high water pressure you can have a licensed plumber to fit a pressure reduction valve at your property boundary. Doing this can also reduce 'water hammer' in your pipes.
• Have you got a low water garden? Up to 50 per cent of household water can be used on watering the lawn and garden. A low water garden will reduce this considerably. Good mulch over your garden will reduce evaporation loss from the surface of the garden, allowing you to water less frequently.
• Check your reticulation system - is it in good working order with no leaks or worn nozzles? Are you watering in the heat of the day, rather than as recommended early in the morning before 9am?
  
  How long & how often is your reticulation set to come on for? You can check the amount that is actually going onto your lawn by placing a container on the lawn for the whole watering cycle and measuring the depth of the water it at the end of it. The depth should be about 10mm and watering is recommended twice a week.

Swimming Pools

• Swimming pools in the North West need topping up frequently because there's a high rate of evaporation. Keeping the pool clean can reduce the frequency of backwashing filters, which will help reduce the amount of water used. Pool covers can also help reduce evaporation.