Using water wisely

Water is a precious resource. In Australia, the annual rainfall in many parts of the country is very low, making the land dry and water supply limited. To make sure there is enough water for everyone, including for future generations, we must use it wisely.

Dual flush toilet

Here are some simple things you can do to help conserve water:

  • Turn taps off when they are not being used and make sure they are not dripping. If you notice a dripping tap inside the house, report it to Housing SA. Leaking taps outside the house should be reported to SA Water.
  • Don’t spend too long in the shower. It is important to be clean, but you should try and keep showers to four minutes.
  • If you have a ‘dual flush’ toilet, use the appropriate flush setting. The ‘half flush’ setting uses less water than the ‘full flush’ setting.
  • Leaking toilets can also be a problem. If you notice a leaking toilet, report it so it can be fixed. Leaking toilets can waste a lot of water.
  • Be wise about providing water for your animals to drink. Capture water in a trough instead of leaving a tap on to run for long periods of time.

If you notice a water problem in your home, you should report it immediately. Some things can be fixed by people in the community, but other problems need qualified people to come and fix them. You may need to fill in a special form and fax it to the nearest Housing SA office.

Washing clothes

You can collect water in tanks when it rains. Water from a rainwater tank may be unsafe for drinking, but it can be used to water gardens and for washing cars and clothes. If you can use water from a tank for these purposes it means less water is being taken from the ground.

Water for pets

Plants and animals also need water, but they don’t need water that has been treated. You can conserve water by letting animals drink from rock holes or creeks and by watering plants with water from rainwater tanks.

If we all use water wisely there will be enough for everyone to use now and for the future.

Online book

Using water wisely - online book

Read this online book to find out more about ‘Using water wisely’.

Please note: This book was created for communities on the APY Lands and includes both English and local language (as well as an audio function). However, most of the content is suitable for all communities.