Summer hasn't even started, and already water shortages are looming, and the dreaded word 'drought' is at the forefront of people's minds.
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The Bureau of Meteorology stated that below-average rainfall over winter has lead to an intensification of drought conditions.
Water may be one of the most common substances on earth, but it is a tremendously valuable resource as it is vital to life, the economy and welfare of farmers.
From October 21-27, National Water Week will make a splash across Australia, inspiring individuals, communities and organisations to work together to build awareness around the value of water. Access to clean water is hugely important to every aspect of our lives, and we must do our best to protect our water environments and resources, and use water wisely.
The theme for National Water Week 2019 has been confirmed as "It's time to change the world".
This has been adapted from the World's Largest Lesson on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, a campaign to introduce the 17 sustainable development goals to young people all over the world and unite them to take action to meet these goals by 2030.
To find out how you can get involved in Water Week see: awa.asn.au
Water Week is the perfect time to start thinking about water consumption at home, with potentially challenging times ahead; we can all make changes to save water and do our bit to ease pressure on current resources.
Bathroom
- While you wait for the shower to heat, catch the cold water in a container for use on outside plants or to flush your toilet with.
- Check toilets for leaks or get a qualified plumber to do so. Fix those leaky taps. Even a slowly dripping faucet can waste up to 20,000 litres a year-water you pay for but never use.
- A super easy one is to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. While shaving fill the bottom of the sink with a couple of inches of water instead.
Kitchen
- Rinse hand-washed dishes by filling one sink with rinse water not by running water. Like with your dishes, fill a sink or bowl and rinse vegetables that way too.
- Keep drinking water in the fridge as this will mean no more running tap water to cool each time you want a drink.
- Only use your dishwasher and washing machine with full loads to optimise water usage, or change the settings to suit the load.
Outside
- Plant a 'water-wise' garden using plants with low water requirements. And what better range to choose from than native plants, your local wildlife will thank you for it too.
- Use mulch around trees and plants to slow evaporation.
- Also, avoid watering on windy days.
- Keep your lawns longer by setting the lawnmower blades a notch higher, and this will again lessen evaporation.
- Further to this, if you have to wash your car, do it on the lawn so you can water at the same time.