We Are Water
We range between 45% and 73% water during our lifetime depending on our weight, age, sex, health and background.
We're made of water and most of us love water. Many people have a strong affinity with water and many do not but we all need it.
Our water suppliers (councils, water corporations, county councils) provide it in an excellent efficient way bringing us top quality drinkable water (potable water) in a clean safe state.
We range between 45% and 73% water during our lifetime depending on our weight, age, sex, health and background.
We're made of water and most of us love water. Many people have a strong affinity with water and many do not but we all need it.
Our water suppliers (councils, water corporations, county councils) provide it in an excellent efficient way bringing us top quality drinkable water (potable water) in a clean safe state.
Blue Whale Keeping Our Pipes Clean Reduces Our Bills
Sydney Water, Sydney has a current campaign about the significant concern about the rise in wet wipes in its sewers.
Sydney Water states that in Sydney last year 500 tonnes of flushed wet wipes were removed from their sewers equivalent to 4 blue whales each over 30 metres long!
We need to all watch what we put down our toilets, showers and sinks as it costs us more money if the wrong things get washed down and away - out of our sight but firmly in the sights of your local water and waste water corporation, county council or council.
Keeping our pipes free of nappies, cat litter, wet wipes, oil, chemicals, rags, cotton buds, dental floss, cigarette butts and plastics means your water provider uses less water to fix problems.
The more problems with rubbish in the pipes - the more water has to be used cleaning the pipes and that means less water for us.
Worth keeping an eye out for what you think you may flush away!!
Remember: Think before you toss and flush. If it's not natural - don't flush it!
Sydney Water, Sydney has a current campaign about the significant concern about the rise in wet wipes in its sewers.
Sydney Water states that in Sydney last year 500 tonnes of flushed wet wipes were removed from their sewers equivalent to 4 blue whales each over 30 metres long!
We need to all watch what we put down our toilets, showers and sinks as it costs us more money if the wrong things get washed down and away - out of our sight but firmly in the sights of your local water and waste water corporation, county council or council.
Keeping our pipes free of nappies, cat litter, wet wipes, oil, chemicals, rags, cotton buds, dental floss, cigarette butts and plastics means your water provider uses less water to fix problems.
The more problems with rubbish in the pipes - the more water has to be used cleaning the pipes and that means less water for us.
Worth keeping an eye out for what you think you may flush away!!
Remember: Think before you toss and flush. If it's not natural - don't flush it!
Bureau of Meteorology predicts an El Nino
this could mean a long hot summer in some parts of New South Wales so the more simple ways we can find to use less water the more we can all help to conserve our precious supply.
Image Courtesy of BOM, Enso Tracker
this could mean a long hot summer in some parts of New South Wales so the more simple ways we can find to use less water the more we can all help to conserve our precious supply.
Image Courtesy of BOM, Enso Tracker
Tank Checking Time
Check the valve at the bottom of your tank to see if water is running freely
Take a sample of the water from your tank and check that it is clear
If it is cloudy or has wrigglers (mosquito larvae) in it then do a tank check to see what could be causing this.
Cloudy water can also be caused by sediment and tank cleaning should fix this.
Basic Tank Check Checklist:
1. That all downpipes are joined securely to the tank
2. Mozzie proof screens (1mm or less mesh) are across each outlet
3. The first flush diverter is working
4. Gutters are clean
5. You have filters at the inlet and outlet
6. No sun shines into your tank - sunlight can lead to slime forming inside your tank
Check the valve at the bottom of your tank to see if water is running freely
Take a sample of the water from your tank and check that it is clear
If it is cloudy or has wrigglers (mosquito larvae) in it then do a tank check to see what could be causing this.
Cloudy water can also be caused by sediment and tank cleaning should fix this.
Basic Tank Check Checklist:
1. That all downpipes are joined securely to the tank
2. Mozzie proof screens (1mm or less mesh) are across each outlet
3. The first flush diverter is working
4. Gutters are clean
5. You have filters at the inlet and outlet
6. No sun shines into your tank - sunlight can lead to slime forming inside your tank
Clean Tank Helps You and Your Plants
Before cleaning your tank:
1. Clean the tank when the water level is low if possible
2. Empty your tank and dispose of the water and sediment
3. It is not recommended that you get inside your tank to clean it
4. Check the tank is vertical before cleaning
5. If you're not sure how to clean your tank - get a professional tank service to do it
How Much Water Do My Plants Need?
Depending on where you live - check out the plants with the lowest water needs that grow well in your area. Generally:
Some small leafed plants have very efficient systems to extract the most water possible.
Larger leaf plants tend to be the least efficient because they usually grow naturally in areas with plenty of water.
The exceptions include different types of cactus that often have big leaves to catch any passing rains and often they 'cup' to hold water for a while to absorb over time and also catch any new rains.
ABC's Gardening Australia has a helpful factsheet about a range of drought tolerant plants for Australian gardens.
ACS Distance Education's Horticulture Department have provided a comprehensive list with names and full details of lots of drought tolerant plants, shrubs and trees to help you plant a low maintenance, water saving garden.
Depending on where you live - check out the plants with the lowest water needs that grow well in your area. Generally:
- The smaller the leaf, the less water plants need
- The bigger the leaf the more water the plants need
Some small leafed plants have very efficient systems to extract the most water possible.
Larger leaf plants tend to be the least efficient because they usually grow naturally in areas with plenty of water.
The exceptions include different types of cactus that often have big leaves to catch any passing rains and often they 'cup' to hold water for a while to absorb over time and also catch any new rains.
ABC's Gardening Australia has a helpful factsheet about a range of drought tolerant plants for Australian gardens.
ACS Distance Education's Horticulture Department have provided a comprehensive list with names and full details of lots of drought tolerant plants, shrubs and trees to help you plant a low maintenance, water saving garden.
Shower Timers come in a variety of styles and colours Shorter Showers Save Water, Energy and Money
A shorter shower using a Shower Timer is a simple, inexpensive way to keep track of how long you've been showering. If the whole family does this every day you'll save much more water than you think.
7 minute shower
Using a Standard Shower Head = 17 litres/minute = 119 litres/person/day
Using a Water Saving Shower Head = 7 litres/minute = 49 litres/person/day
*A saving of 70 litres/person/day by using a Water Saving Shower Head
5 minute shower using a Shower Timer
And a Standard Showerhead = 17 litres/minute = 85 litres/person/day
And a Water Saving Showerhead = 7 litres/minute = 35 litres/person/day
* A saving of 34 litres/person/day by having 5 minutes showers (using a Shower Timer) + a Standard Shower Head
* A saving of 85 litres/person/day by having 5 minute showers (using a Shower Timer) + a Water Saving Showerhead
Annual Water Savings Using a Shower Timer + a Water Saving Showerhead
For an average family of 4 this saving is 84 litres/day x 4 = 336 litres per day
336 x 7 = 2,352 litres per week
2,352 litres x 52 = 858,000 litres or 858 kilolitres every year
Annual Water Savings Using just a Shower Timer
If you don't have a Water Saving Shower Head you can use just a simple Shower Timer and still make significant water savings:
For an average family of 4 taking 5 minute showers the saving is 34 litres/day x 4 = 136 litres per day
136 x 7 = 952 litres per week
952 litres x 52 = 49,504 litres or 49.5 kilolitres every year
Shower Timers cost just a few dollars to buy and can save you lots more
If you have an questions, comments or water saving suggestions contact us at: info@waterandenergygroup.com
Visit our site at: www.waterandenergygroup.com
A shorter shower using a Shower Timer is a simple, inexpensive way to keep track of how long you've been showering. If the whole family does this every day you'll save much more water than you think.
7 minute shower
Using a Standard Shower Head = 17 litres/minute = 119 litres/person/day
Using a Water Saving Shower Head = 7 litres/minute = 49 litres/person/day
*A saving of 70 litres/person/day by using a Water Saving Shower Head
5 minute shower using a Shower Timer
And a Standard Showerhead = 17 litres/minute = 85 litres/person/day
And a Water Saving Showerhead = 7 litres/minute = 35 litres/person/day
* A saving of 34 litres/person/day by having 5 minutes showers (using a Shower Timer) + a Standard Shower Head
* A saving of 85 litres/person/day by having 5 minute showers (using a Shower Timer) + a Water Saving Showerhead
Annual Water Savings Using a Shower Timer + a Water Saving Showerhead
For an average family of 4 this saving is 84 litres/day x 4 = 336 litres per day
336 x 7 = 2,352 litres per week
2,352 litres x 52 = 858,000 litres or 858 kilolitres every year
Annual Water Savings Using just a Shower Timer
If you don't have a Water Saving Shower Head you can use just a simple Shower Timer and still make significant water savings:
For an average family of 4 taking 5 minute showers the saving is 34 litres/day x 4 = 136 litres per day
136 x 7 = 952 litres per week
952 litres x 52 = 49,504 litres or 49.5 kilolitres every year
Shower Timers cost just a few dollars to buy and can save you lots more
If you have an questions, comments or water saving suggestions contact us at: info@waterandenergygroup.com
Visit our site at: www.waterandenergygroup.com