Adopting water efficiency principles in your home has many benefits. It can:
- lower your water bills
- give you an independent water supply and reduce pressure on potable water
- help your garden survive through low periods of rain
- reduce sewage discharged to rivers and oceans.
Here are some ways you can save water at home.
Improve your home's water efficiency
- Replace your shower heads and taps to WELS star rated models.
- Buy a shower timer and limit your time in the shower to 3 to 4 minutes.
- Collect rainwater for use in the garden. This could be as simple as a bucket or rain barrel at the bottom of existing downpipes or installing a rainwater tank.
- Wait until you have a full load of clothes or dishes before putting the machine on, or adjust the settings according to the load.
- Upgrade older single flush toilets, to a dual flush toilet.
- When purchasing new dishwashers or washing machines, choose appliances with high WELS rating.
Build a raingarden
Raingardens are not only a great way to filter stormwater runoff before it enters local waterways, but are also a great low maintenance option for your garden that can help you save potable water. A raingarden is just like a regular garden, but is positioned to catch and make use of runoff from nearby hard surfaces such as rooftops, paths or roads.
For tips on how to design and build a raingarden, visit Melbourne Water or contact our Sustainable Environment team at environment@stonnington.vic.gov.au
Install a rainwater tank
Installing a tank so you can use rainwater throughout your home and garden can significantly reduce your use of potable water. It can also help to protect local waterways from the impacts of too much stormwater. You can simply use a tank to harvest rain to water your garden, or you can save even more water by investing in connecting it to your toilet and laundry.
In line with advice from Melbourne Water, due to potential water quality issues, we do not support drinking rainwater tank water in urban areas.
Before installing a rainwater tank, here are some things you will need to consider.
Ensure adequate drainage that won’t cause any issues for neighbouring properties. The tank needs an overflow pipe that matches the size of the inlet and can return excess stormwater to the property drain.
Whether or not you plan to use the tank just for your garden or if you want to connect it to your toilet and washing machine will determine what size of tank you need. The typical Melbourne house will need a tank between 2000 and 5000 litres.
Domestic rainwater tanks don’t require a building permit, but you should consider where they are placed to ensure there are no issues with neighbours or local amenities.
In most cases, a planning permit is not required if you plan to install a rainwater tank with a capacity of 4,500 litres or less.
To check if you need a planning permit, call our Planning Services team on 03 8290 1333.
For more information, visit Melbourne Water.
Install a greywater treatment system
Greywater refers to wastewater from domestic use in the home. This includes water from:
- baths
- showers
- bathroom sinks
- laundries
- kitchens.
Wastewater from the kitchen sink, dishwasher and toilet is not safe to be used as greywater.
Greywater can be a fantastic resource to reduce your household’s reliance on potable water and keep your garden healthy in dry conditions. It should never be used as drinking water, and needs to be used carefully for other purposes. Because it contains chemicals and bacteria, if used incorrectly greywater can damage your soil and plants, or even harm your health.
We believe greywater can be reused effectively and safely in households by following some simple dos and don'ts.
- Only use greywater from baths, showers, hand basins and washing machines (preferably the final rinse water).
- Choose detergents, shampoos and soap that is greywater safe.
- When using greywater on your garden, alternate the areas you water, and only apply as much as the soil can absorb. Wash your hands after watering your garden with greywater.
- Water vegetable gardens with greywater if the vegetables are to be eaten raw.
- Use greywater that might have faecal contamination, such as water from washing nappies.
- Store greywater for more than 24 hours unless it has been treated and disinfected.
- Let children or pets drink or play with greywater.
- Allow greywater to leave your property or enter stormwater systems.
- Use greywater during wet or rainy periods.
- Use greywater if it’s smelly or your plants aren’t looking healthy.
For more information, visit Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
Apply to install a greywater treatment system
You won't need a permit or approval to divert greywater from your shower or washing machine if you plan on using it immediately on your hard.
You will need to apply for a permit if you plan to install a permanent greywater system.
To apply for a permit, or more information, visit greywater permits.
For more water-saving tips, subscribe to Environment eNews. Alternatively, visit the Victorian Government website for more information on using diverse water sources.