General information
- I'm not using more water than usual, but my water bills keep going up.
- My neighbours water their lawn more than we do, but they use LESS water. Something is definitely wrong!
- I'm sure something's wrong with my water meter. Can I get it checked?
- Do you have any tips on how I can save water?
- What about saving water in the garden?
I'm not using more water than usual, but my water bills keep going up.
The reason could be simple: you've moved to a steeper part of the pricing curve. But don't worry: you start again at the cheap part of the pricing curve at the beginning of each billing year, August / September. Alternatively, there may be a hidden water leak at the property.
My neighbours water their lawn more than we do, but they use LESS water. Something is definitely wrong!
Maybe note: A lot can depend on how many people are in their property - and on their water-use habits. It's not wise to assume that because your neighbours are using more water on one thing, that they use more water overall.
I'm sure something's wrong with my water meter. Can I get it checked?
Yes. But note: when it's found a meter is faulty, very often it's faulty in favour of the consumer (they were getting billed less then they should have). We thought we'd better be plain about this and make it clear that things can go against you.
Do you have any tips on how I can save water?
We offer a list of tips you can access by clicking here. If you're interested in monitoring your water usage read the above info.
What about saving water in the garden?
Good question. Gardens account for up to 50 per cent of many households' water usage, so it will make a big difference if you can reduce the amount of water you use outside.
We encourage people to plant a low-water garden (also called a 'water wise garden'). Spreading good mulch over your garden will reduce evaporation loss from the surface of the garden, so you won't need to water as often.
Check that your reticulation system is in good working order with no leaks or worn nozzles. Avoid watering during the heat of the day or if there's a strong wind because most of your water will end up blown away from your plants and onto paths or roads. How long and often is your reticulation set to come on for? You can check the amount of water that's going onto your lawn by placing a container on the lawn for the whole watering cycle and measuring the water depth it at the end of it. The recommended depth is 10mm. Watering is recommended twice a week.
Use a watering can - rather than a hose - on your pot plants.
For more tips, visit www.watercorporation.com.au