Conserving Water
The Kāpiti Coast District Council supports the following water conservation initiatives:
More water tips
There are many simple things that can reduce the financial and environmental costs of wasting water. On the Kapiti Coast, most fresh water gets wasted outdoors. That’s where we can make a real difference when trying to save water.
Capture rain water in a rain barrel for watering the garden and washing cars.
A rain barrel in the garden requires no extra plumbing, and some come with a tap so you can easily fill up your watering can or bucket.
Use mulch on the garden and plant native plants.
Make a water friendly garden by mulching around plants or digging mulch into the soil surface to hold water near the plant roots in dry weather. Choose plants that suit your local climate and soil conditions. You will need less water because native plants are best adapted to local conditions.
Use watering cans for watering plants.
Using a watering can ensures water only goes where it is really needed. So using a watering can will help to save heaps of water when watering plants. Hoses use more water, sprinklers use the most.
Save water and use a bucket to wash your family’s car.
Using a bucket to clean the car and a hose to rinse it off uses less water. If possible, wash the car on the lawn. Washing the car on the lawn waters the grass and stops detergent going down stormwater drains.
You can also save water inside the house.
Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth. A tap can discharge up to 18 litres of water per minute. That’s the equivalent of more than a bucket of water if you left the tap going while brushing your teeth for just one minute. Try using a glass of water to rinse and use the tap just when needed.
Put a plug in the sink when you wash.
A running tap can discharge up to 10 litres of water per minute - that’s the equivalent of one whole bucket!
Keep track of your shower time; try to shower for 5 minutes or less.
Keeping track of your shower time can have a big impact on water use, even a low flow shower head can use about 35 litres of water per 5 minute shower.
Use your family’s dishwasher and/or washing machine on full loads.
A full load uses less water and energy per kilogram than a partial one. Try to only use these appliances when they’re full to save overall water use.
Some of this information has been sourced from www.sustainability.govt.nz. Visit this site to find heaps more useful tips to help our environment.