We hear a lot about the Woronora and Warragamba Dams, but did you know that these dams don’t supply water to the Campbelltown Local Government Area (LGA) or the Macarthur region?
Water for the Macarthur region is supplied by the Nepean, Avon, Cordeaux and Cataract Dams, through several weirs and water filtration plants that collect and treat the water. In fact, the Cataract and Cordeaux Dams supply most of the water for the Macarthur region, which are primarily fed by rainwater.
The combined maximum holding capacity of Nepean, Avon, Cordeaux and Cataract Dams is only 20 per cent of the maximum holding capacity of the Warragamba Dam.
DIY home water audit
Find out where you're using the most water and where you could make savings:
Monitor your water use
Learn how to read your water meter and monitor your water usage.
To find out your daily water use, write down your first meter reading. About the same time the next day write down the second meter reading. The difference between the two readings is your daily water use.
Do this each day for a week to pin point when your household is using the most water and find out where you can make savings.
Identify leaks
Finding and fixing visible leaks is usually simple:
- To be confident your home doesn't have any hidden leaks check when no water is being used, such as when nobody will be home or late at night (make sure no one flushes the toilet overnight)
- Write down your meter reading at night, before the last person goes to bed
- Read the meter again in the morning before anyone starts using the water
- If the number has increased and you have not used any water, you may have a leak.
Taps and showers
Check the flowrate of your taps and showers to see if you need to install aerators to reduce the water consumption. Aerators on taps and showerheads can still give a great experience while using, with less water.
Note: Stick to a quick shower instead of a bath. A bath can use well over 100 litres of water. A short shower can use less than 30 litres of water.
Appliances and toilets
Check out how much water your toilet uses, the size of the cistern tank can be a good indication if there are no labels visible. Single flush and even some dual flush systems use large amounts of water. You can dramatically reduce water use by installing water efficient dual flush systems.
Find out how your appliances compare to others using the WELS Water Rating and be sure to only use the washing machine and dishwasher when full.
Gardens and outdoors
- Reduce the amount of garden that requires regular watering
- Plant local, drought tolerant species and group plants according to their water, sun and nutrient needs
- Use a soil wetting agent, mulch and only provide enough water for the plants
- Use tap timers and shut-off valves on your hoses
- Recycle greywater from the laundry and bathroom to use in the garden using Health Department approved techniques or systems
- Always ensure that your watering complies with the current water restrictions
- Swimming pools and spas are big water users. Install a pool cover, to minimise water loss through evaporation
- Wash your car less frequently and use a car wash – typically the water at a car wash is recycled. If you wash your car at home, always wash it on the lawn not the driveway or path, so chemicals do not go in the stormwater drain and harm the environment
- Use a broom to clean driveways and footpaths and don’t sweep leaves, dirt or clippings into the gutter or stormwater drain.
Capturing water
Reduce the amount of mains water that you use by installing a rainwater tank and use the water you collect in the garden or have it plumbed into the house.
Saving water at home
Try this simple experiment, to better understand how much water you use around the home:
Hold an empty 1-litre milk carton under a running tap
Time how long it takes to fill
Compare this with the time the tap is running when you wash your hands, brush your teeth or have a shower
Calculate how many litres of water you use while doing these activities. Keep this in mind next time you turn on the tap.
Saving water in the bathroom
- Taps - make sure they aren't left dripping, and never turn the tap on too far, turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, and install a water efficient tap or aerator
- Toilets - use the half-flush
- Sink - use the plug to rinse when shaving
- Showers - install a water efficient shower head, and have quicker showers.
Saving water in the kitchen and laundry
- Sink - use a plug when washing food or dishes
- Taps - install a water efficient tap or aerator
- Dishwashers and washing machines - wait for a full load, and when it's time to replace, choose a more water efficient model.
Saving water in the garden
- Watering - water in the morning or evening instead of the heat of the day, and aim for the roots not the leaves
- Paths and driveways - use a broom to clean up leaves, grass clippings, dirt, dust or litter
- Swimming pool - use a cover, to prevent water evaporation
- Composter - turn left over fruits and veggies into nutrient rich, moisture holding soil
- Lawns - leave grass cuttings on the lawn to act as natural mulch.
Water wise guidelines
Water Restrictions are now known as the Water Wise Guidelines
Under the Water Wise Guidelines residents and businesses are not able to:
- Allow water to run off onto hard surfaces
- Leave taps and hoses running unattended
- Allow pools or spas to overflow when being filled
- Clean hard surfaces such as paths, driveways and paved areas with a hose as part of general cleaning
To find out more, visit Sydney Water.