Reducing household water use comes down to two things: fixing what is wasting water now and forming habits that prevent waste going forward. This guide covers both, with practical steps you can act on today, whether you rent or own.
Conserving water is a responsibility shared by every household. If you want to understand why it matters beyond the water bill, the reasons to conserve water go well beyond cost savings alone.
1. Measure Your Current Water Use Before You Change Anything
You cannot reduce what you have not measured. Start by checking your water bill and noting your quarterly usage in kilolitres. For context, the average quarterly water bill for households in New South Wales is $204. If your bill is significantly higher, there is likely a fixable cause.
Once you know your baseline, identify where the water goes:
- How long are showers in your household?
- Is the washing machine running on partial loads?
- Are taps left running while brushing teeth?
- Is the dishwasher starting before it is full?
Even a single four-minute reduction in daily shower time makes a measurable difference across a household over a quarter. For showers specifically, fitting a low-flow shower head reduces flow rate without affecting the shower experience.
Quick habit changes:
- Time showers and keep them under four minutes
- Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full, or adjust the load setting
- Scrape food scraps off plates rather than rinsing them before loading the dishwasher
- Place a bucket in the shower to collect water while it warms up and use it on the garden
2. Check for Leaks Systematically
A dripping tap can waste around 9,000 litres of water per year. A leaking toilet can waste at least 60,000 litres. Neither of those is always obvious until the bill arrives.
How to test for hidden leaks at home:
- Read the water meter and write down the figure.
- Turn off every tap and water-using appliance in the house.
- Do not use any water for one hour.
- Re-read the meter. If the number has moved, there is an active leak somewhere in the system.
Hidden leaks in pipes, joints, or the toilet cistern often go unnoticed for months. Plumbing maintenance checks catch these before they become expensive, both in water wasted and in damage to the property. A licensed plumber can pressure-test the system and inspect the areas you cannot access visually.
3. Upgrade to Water-Efficient Appliances
The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme rates appliances on a star scale for water efficiency. The more stars, the more efficient the product. Every registered product also displays its average water consumption per use or average flow rate per minute, so you can compare models directly before buying.
A household that upgrades to water-efficient appliances can save up to $175 annually. Look for the WELS blue star label when replacing dishwashers, washing machines, showers, taps, and toilets. Products registered with WELS are independently tested at NATA-accredited laboratories.
| Appliance | WELS Metric Used | What to Prioritise |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Litres per wash cycle | Lowest consumption per cycle at your load size |
| Washing machine | Litres per wash cycle | Water rating alongside energy rating |
| Shower | Litres per minute (flow rate) | 3-star or higher for meaningful savings |
| Toilet | Litres per full and half flush | Dual-flush with a low half-flush volume |
| Tap / faucet | Litres per minute (flow rate) | Aerator-fitted models reduce flow without pressure loss |
4. Wash Your Car Without Wasting Water
Washing a car uses roughly 100 to 300 litres of water. That range is wide because method matters more than the act of washing.
Lower-waste car washing approach:
- Dust the car with a clean microfibre cloth before adding any water. Light dust often lifts without water at all.
- Use two buckets: one with soapy water, one for rinsing the cloth. This avoids running a hose continuously.
- Position the car over a garden bed or lawn so the runoff waters the ground rather than draining away.
- Use a biodegradable car shampoo if runoff will reach plants or soil.
A running hose left unattended during a car wash is the biggest single source of unnecessary water use in this task. Switching from a hose to buckets is the most effective change.
5. Install a Tankless Water Heater
Conventional storage water heaters keep a tank of water hot continuously. Every time someone turns on a hot tap, cold water sits in the pipe between the heater and the outlet and runs down the drain while they wait for hot water to arrive.
A tankless (instantaneous) water heater heats water only when a tap is opened. There is no stored tank losing heat, and there is no cold water delay if the unit is positioned correctly relative to the outlet. This eliminates the run-off waste that occurs during the wait period.
One practical note: because hot water is available continuously with a tankless system, shower duration is no longer limited by tank capacity. A shower timer remains useful regardless of the heater type.
If you are considering an upgrade, the Hot Water category on this site covers the range of system types available for Australian homes.
6. Collect Water While You Wait for Hot Water to Arrive
If replacing your water heater is not currently practical, the simplest interim step is to place a clean bucket under the tap or shower head while the water warms up. The cold water collected is clean and can be used for:
- Watering pot plants or the garden
- Mopping floors
- Bathing pets
- Filling a kettle or pot for cooking
This requires no equipment change and produces an immediate reduction in waste.
7. Wash Fruit and Vegetables in a Bowl, Not Under Running Water
A running tap delivers up to 12 litres per minute. Washing produce under a running tap for even two minutes uses more water than a standard pot plant needs in a week.
Fill a bowl with water and wash produce in the bowl instead. When finished, pour the used water directly onto the garden or a pot plant. It is clean enough for that purpose and nothing is wasted.
Additional Water-Saving Options Worth Knowing
Rainwater Harvesting
Collected rainwater can supplement mains supply for toilet flushing, garden watering, and floor cleaning. The Australian Government’s YourHome resource covers rainwater harvesting options and available government rebates for system installation.
Motion-Sensing Taps
A motion-activated tap turns off automatically when hands are removed, eliminating the common habit of leaving a tap running during handwashing or food preparation. These are practical for households with children who frequently leave taps running.
Reusing Cooking Water
Water used to boil vegetables or pasta is clean and nutrient-rich. Once cooled, it can be used to water plants, used as a base for soup stock, or used to boil the next batch of food. It does not need to go down the drain.
Steaming Instead of Boiling
Steaming vegetables uses significantly less water than boiling them and preserves more water-soluble nutrients. The small amount of water left in the steamer base can be reused once cooled.
Reducing Garbage Disposal Use
Garbage disposal units require water to operate. Composting food scraps instead eliminates that water use entirely and produces a useful output. Check whether your local council operates a green waste or compost collection scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water does a dripping tap waste each year?
A single dripping tap can waste around 9,000 litres per year. A leaking toilet can waste at least 60,000 litres. Both are fixable during a standard plumbing maintenance visit.
How long should a shower be to save water?
Keeping showers under four minutes is the commonly recommended target. Using a timer or a four-minute playlist makes this easier to stick to consistently.
Is showering more water-efficient than bathing?
It depends on the shower flow rate, the shower duration, and the size of the bath. A long shower with a high-flow head can use more water than a partially filled bath. The comparison between showering versus bathing depends on your specific fittings and habits. Fitting a low-flow shower head and limiting duration to four minutes typically makes showering the more efficient option for most households.
Can I use rainwater for drinking?
Rainwater can generally be used for toilet flushing, garden watering, laundry, and floor cleaning without treatment. Using it for drinking requires filtration and disinfection. The YourHome rainwater guide outlines approved uses and system requirements under Australian guidelines.
What does the WELS star rating actually mean?
The WELS star rating indicates a product’s water efficiency relative to others in its category. More stars means greater efficiency. Every WELS-registered product also shows actual consumption or flow figures, which allow direct comparison between models regardless of star rating.
How do I know if I have a hidden water leak?
Read your water meter, turn off all water in the house, and re-read the meter after one hour. If the number has changed, there is an active leak. A licensed plumber can locate it using pressure testing and inspection equipment.
Is reused cooking water safe for plants?
Plain water used to boil vegetables or eggs is safe for garden watering once cooled, provided no salt was added in large quantities. Salted cooking water can affect soil and plant health, so use it in the sink rather than the garden.
Book a Plumbing Check with Green Planet Plumbing
Green Planet Plumbing is a family-owned business that has been serving the Newcastle and Hunter Valley area since 2008. The team of licensed local plumbers can identify plumbing leaks, test for hidden water loss, and advise on water-efficient fixture upgrades suited to your home.
Call 02 4911 9402 for plumbing enquiries or emergencies. You can also email hello@greenplanetplumbing.com.au with questions.