If you’re living in Australia you probably know that we need to save water. If you are unaware of how the drought is effecting our farmers right now, you can probably be forgiven for living under a rock. To be honest, if we didn’t have a vegetable garden, we wouldn’t realise how bad it is either.

I remember droughts of my childhood. We were on tight water restrictions, and neighbours were encouraged to dob each other in for wasting water. There was a hotline set up solely to dob in a water waster. I’m surprised that its taken so long for restrictions to be put in place now. I wonder how many people are aware of them.

On the weekend you can see a whole heap of people watering their gardens during the hottest part of the day. They’re also making sure their cars are washed and sparkling clean.

Ways to Save Water

1. Love Your Dirty Car

We are proudly driving around in our car that hasn’t been washed in months. I just brush the spiders webs off with my hands every now and then when we’re running back in the door after school. As long as you can see out your windows and use your side mirrors everything is great. Obviously bird and bat poop needs washing off so it doesn’t damage the paint work. But seriously a sparkling car that looks brand new does not add value to anything.

2. Only Shower As Needed

During summer, pool swims count as showers in our house. I’m not ashamed to say that during cooler weather, we get back in touch with our English roots and skip showering every single day. Especially those days when I’ve sat in an air-conditioned office all day long, and plan on spending the weekend getting filthy in the garden.

3. Do Less Laundry

Our family is proud to say that if yesterdays outfit isn’t covered in dirt or food, you will probably see us wearing it again the following day. This isn’t just a water saving trick. It is a parenting/mum hack, because anyone with a family knows that the bottom of the washing basket is like an oasis. Didn’t spill chilli on your work shirt on Monday? Hang it out to air on Tuesday and wear it again on Wednesday. No one will ever know. Well, maybe my friends will start to notice now if they read this. But who cares, we’re saving water, looking after the environment, and living just that little bit slower.

4. Garden Smart With Water Zones

Our ornamental gardens have been left to struggle as they are well established. When we do get a good down pour of rain you can see how thankful the plants are for it. We have slow release drip hoses in our garden beds. These water deep down in to the soil so we use less and keep the garden happier. Everything is mulched which helps with moisture retention. It is a bit of a catch twenty-two at the moment. Green space is so important for maintaining the cool spaces in our suburban environments, so letting gardens die would also be detrimental to the ecosystem. It’s all about finding the right balance.

Sadly, we are yet to install water tanks at our house. It is something that we are gearing up to do. In the meantime, on the rare occasions when it does rain these days, we run outside with old yoghurt containers, and put them under our down-pipes to collect rain. We then use it for our chickens’ water, and in the worm farm. Then we pour it in to watering cans for our vegetables and herbs. If nothing else, it is a bit of fun for the kids, without turning on the hose. Because everyone with kids knows how much peace and quiet some simple water play can bring.

5. Use The Dishwasher

Washing dishes by hand, rinsing, then drying them and washing a dirty tea towel all uses more water than using the dishwasher. Put everything that fits and that can go in the dishwasher in there, then put your feet up. Better still, get your kids on dishwasher duties.

A bonus that I got from watching my Nana in the kitchen first thing in the morning. Fill your kettle with the cold tap water whilst you are waiting for it to warm up. Don’t watch it go down the sink.

Did you know that the water you use to boil your vegetables is great for the garden once it has cooled down? Returning those nutrients to the earth is great for the soil, so don’t tip is down the drain.

I think the main thing to keep in mind is that one person can make a difference, simply by inspiring others to act as they do. So don’t hose down your driveway, let your car get a little dirty and wear yesterdays clothes. Embrace doing your little bit to save water and enjoy the knowledge that you and your neighbours are making a conscious choice to make a difference.  You’ve ditched the plastic shopping bags, now its time to take on some more earth saving challenges.

Anyone who would like to steer us in the right direction for tanks, I’d love to have the conversation with you.

You can check Sydney Waters Water Wise Guidelines here.

To read my other posts about Sustainable Living click on the link.