Do Ya Bit - Water Advice
Do Ya Bit's water advice can help you with a range of water topics.
Whether you are looking to install a rain tank, fit water conserving taps or sort out a blasting shower, contact us on 0800 326 628 or email doyabit@ecomatters.org.nz.
Water Saving Showerhead
Just changing your showerhead to a water efficient one can reduce your water use by thousands of litres per year.
Efficient shower heads can make a big difference on water savings as showers use a large amount of water in the home.
Efficienct showers save money on power bills too as you use less hot water.
Flow Restrictors
Even simpler than a new showerhead, many showers can just have a flow restrictor installed. They cut down the flow and cut down the wasted money.
Toilet
Modern dual flush systems use only 3 or 6 litres per flush, saving you between 5 and 8 litres on a single flush system, meaning it will stop you flushing around $50. It will even save up to 30% on older dual flush toilets.
Another option to reduce water use to zero from your toilet is to get a composting system. Composting toilet technology has come a long way and are a logical option for rural situations in particular.
'Gizmo' (cistern flow restrictor)
Consider installing a 'gizmo'. It hangs inside your cistern on your existing flush, and stops the toilet from flushing the moment you take your finger off the button. That means you only use as much water as you need. It can easily knock 20% off the money you're flushing away.
Tap Aerators
Tap aerators can reduce tap flows by up to 50%.
Front Loading Washing Machines
Front loading washing machines can save about 15% of your water use in one go! In NZ, the normal top-loader uses around 210 litres for every single wash! A front loader uses only around 65 litres. So chances are you're wasting 150 litres every time you wash your clothes, or around 21 cents on every wash. And that's if it's cold water. If you use hot water you're wasting a lot more.
Mulch
Simple mulch for your garden reduces the water that evaporates by up to 70%. One fifth of most homes' water goes into the garden, so a little mulch could stop your home wasting loads of water.
Watering Can
Yep, the old fashioned watering can will waste a LOT less water than a sprinkler system. Got one? Good. No up-front costs, just straight savings.
Water Meter
Believe it or not this could be your biggest waste-buster! Because you can use it to check for leaks. How? Just take a note of how much water has been used last thing at night and then check it again first thing in the morning before anyone uses anything. Make sure no one flushes the loo overnight. If your meter shows that water has been used, then something's probably leaking. If the meter has moved on a lot, call a plumber. Leaks cost, and they're a pure 100% waste of your money.