Water conservation in Oz

Australia has been a country in drought for the past 10 years. To reduce water consumption, states in Australia have been on water restrictions. The state of Victoria is on Stage 3a water restrictions. This means households can water their gardens twice a week on designated days. No washing of cars using water from taps. But you can use tap water to wash your mirrors and windows and use recycled or grey water to wash your car.

Education has been the main impetus to get the public to conserve water and it is working. Water usage is down in Melbourne 9% during the same period last year. The entire state of Victoria has lowered it was usage 30% over the past year. The current dam levels in Melbourne are at 35.4%, compared to 34.1% at the same time last year.

Things people are doing include shorter showers of 4-5 minutes and showering with a bucket to collect falling water. Using water from the shower or washing machine to refill toilet water, washing machine and using the water for gardens and lawns.

Also efficiency has increased for items like toilets. Most houses and public facilities have dual flush toilets. A half flush for liquid and a full flush for solid material. I have also seen no flush for men urinals in public facilities.

Water recycling is also a big part of water conversation. But at this stage in Victoria, the water is only used for market gardeners, industry, sporting grounds, nurseries and housing developments. About 22.5% of Melbourne’s water waste is recycled.

Each state is different with how tough their restrictions are. In South Australia, where Adelaide is located, residents can only water gardens one day each week. But only with drippers, buckets or a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle. South Australia is currently in an autumn heat wave, with temperatures in the mid to high 30’s. There have been calls to ease the restrictions, but they cannot spare the extra water. Whereas in Sydney the dams are at about 67% and there is talks of easing the restrictions.

I have been told 10 years ago the dams were full across the country. The blame for it is climate change. Now Australia has to use water saving techniques to conserve water. It may be something that will hit other countries and continents over the coming years as climate change affects other parts of the world as well. Water may very well become as important as oil. We need water to drink, cook and clean with.