A few years back, Brisbane was in dire straits when it came to our dams' water levels and related usage restrictions. While things have since improved, the lessons of being more conscious about how much water we use is still important. In this blog, we'll be listing some very simple ways you can save water which, in turn, will reduce the amount you're paying for your water and help ensure we all have it for years to come.

Don't leave the taps running

Regardless of whether you're in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry or outside watering the plants, a very simple way of not eating through your water usage is to ensure you turn off taps when they don't need to be used. It may be an obvious suggestion, but there are still those who will leave the water running while brushing their teeth or shaving - these are just to basic examples. During that time, litres upon litres of water can literally go down the drain for no good reason. 

Add that up over a matter of days, weeks, months... Well, suffice to say, it can become a massive amount.

Only do full loads of washing

Whether you're putting clothes in the washing machine or putting your dishes into the dishwasher, only do so when you have a full load. Some can have a tendency to put on a load of washing every single day and it's incredibly wasteful, even if you set the water level at a lower setting. Also, be mindful to not get clean clothes mixed up in dirty clothes - again, it's needlessly wasting water. 

If you absolutely must clean your clothes or dishes due to an emergency, then opt for the aforementioned lower water level for your clothes and a quicker wash setting for your dishes. Just have one item of clothing that needs to be washed? Try handwashing it. It may require a little more effort on your behalf, but it will use far less water.

Address leaking taps and toilets

Did you know that a leaking toilet can waste more than 60,000 litres of water each year? Add to that leaking and/or constantly dripping taps and you can have a lot of wasted water on your hands. If you notice any leaks, get them fixed ASAP to save yourself costs down the line.

Have a pool? Keep an eye on it

Following on from the above note about leaks, it's also worth keeping an eye on your pool. Over time, pools can form cracks and gaps, which means water can seep through and out of the pool. This, in turn, will require you to top up the pool more frequently. While extremely hot and humid summer days can increase evaporation, if your pool's water level is dropping unnaturally fast during cooler days, it could be a sign of some leaks in the pool itself. Call in a professional to have them sealed.

To combat rapid evaporation during spring and summer, consider a pool cover when you're not using the pool. Either that or set up a pool shade that can also help reduce evaporation and prevent the water from getting too warm on particularly hot days.

Work with the weather

As we move further into spring, Brisbane has a higher likelihood of experiencing more and more large bouts of rain and storms (take yesterday's rain and afternoon storm, for example). That said, we can also deal with long stretches of hot, sunny days. If you need to water your garden or top up your pool in the near-future, check to see if there's any forecasts of large rainfall in the coming week or so. If you wait it out, nature may be able to do it for you.

Of course, if it's essential for you to water your plants or fill up the pool ASAP, go ahead and do it. But if you see rain clouds heading your way, wait to see if they can provide you with the necessary water.