Water Conservation

• Use washing machines/dishwashers for full loads rather than washing small loads often
• If you use a basin in the sink to wash vegetables you can then use the water to water flower beds etc
• Use showers instead of baths.
• Toilet leaks are among the most common.  To check for a leak, put a few drops of food colouring in the cistern.  Do not flush for an hour or more.  Then if the bowl water is coloured, there is a leak.  Consider replacing the seals on the cistern or the flushing mechanism.
• Check any exposed pipework regularly for leaks and repair if necessary.  Insulate any exposed pipes so that they do not burst in frosty weather.
• Ensure that all field troughs are level and that the ball valve is working properly, closing when the trough is full.  Use troughs which have a cover over the ball valve so that the cattle cannot disturb it.  Check that drinking bowls in sheds are working properly.
• Consider storing rainwater for use of stock, power washing etc.
• If building a new house, or installing new sanitary ware, install dual flush cisterns which use much less water.
• Read your meter often and monitor your water usage.  If the red hand or centre rotor is rotating very rapidly or is moving at a time when you do not think any water is being used, you probably have a leak.
• If you are leaving the house for a long period switch off all washing machines etc.  Read your meter as you leave.  Read it again when you return.  If the reading has changed, you probably have a leak.

A 0.8 mm stream from a tap uses 110 litres per day or 41,000 litres (41 m³) per year

A 1.6 mm stream uses 450 litres per day or 164,000 litres (164 m³) per year

A 3.2 mm stream uses 1800 litres per day or 655,000 litres (655 m³) per year