Households

In addition to following Sydney Water’s Mandatory Water Restrictions, there are lots of low cost options to cut down on water use at home.

From $196, the Sydney Water Waterfix program will send a professional plumber to your home (in the Sydney area) to ensure your taps and fittings are water efficient. The cost includes parts and is the most cost effective way to save water around the home. If you are handy register for a free Do-It-Yourself (DIY) water saving kit.

If you have a garden, the Sydney Water website offers some very useful information to help you save water. More tips on selecting plants, designing your garden, installing a rainwater tank and more.

For more information, visit the Sydney Water website or follow the relevant link below:

 

Rainwater Tanks

Rainwater tanks are a cost effective way to reduce your mains water usage and also the amount of stormwater runoff from your house. The water can be used for most household purposes relatively easily.

Sydney Water now only offers rainwater tank rebates to schools, as of the 30th of June, 2011. If you installed a rainwater tank at your home before this date you may still be eligibale for a rebate.

Some financial institutions are now providing interest free loans for rainwater tank installations. It is suggested that you search the internet with the criteria: "water tank loans interest free" to find some of these providers.

Installing a Rainwater Tank in Waverley

An average household uses between 450 and 600 litres of drinking water each day. Worse, around 90% of water used in a house, and 80% used in a unit, does not need to be drinking quality.

Step 1 - Size does matter

Think about whether you want a tank just for the garden or for laundry, toilets and washing too. This will help determine the tank size you’ll need and where to put it. Once you’ve done this, you can:

  • Calculate the volume of water you use that could be replaced by rainwater
  • Estimate your roof surface area and, using Sydney’s annual rainfall (1600mm), calculate how much rain your roof could collect.

Step 2 - Check your roof

Check that your roof is not made of substances unsuitable for collecting rainwater, for example if it contains lead-based paints or bitumen-based materials.

Step 3 - Do I need to lodge a Development Application

Rainwater tank installation is regulated by the State Environmental Planning Policy No. 4 (SEPP4) For more information on SEPP 4

  • A Development Application is not necessary for small tanks (10,000 litres or less) which meet all SEPP4 requirements and do not occur on heritage-listed sites.
  • A Development Application is necessary for all tank installations on heritage-listed sites and for large tanks (over 10,000 litres). Both still need to meet all SEPP4 requirements.
  • Your Development Application must be approved before the tank is installed.


Step 4 - What type of tank?

Find out about tanks that suit your needs. The price of rainwater tanks vary greatly, ranging from a few hundred dollars up to thousands.


Step 5 - Other costs to consider

Apart from the cost of the tank, consider:

  • plumbing costs, depending on where the tank water will be used
  • whether you need to make adjustments to your roof and guttering
  • excavation costs for an underground structure
  • backflow devices, first flush, mosquito nets
  • whether you need a pump 
     


Water Efficient Fittings and Appliances

Choosing a water-efficient product is one way to save water while saving money. The Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards (WELS) Scheme can assist purchasers of household water-using products to compare the relative water efficiency of the available models.

Like the energy labeling we are used to on appliances, the WELS Water Rating label displays a rating of 1 to 6 stars (or 'Zero Star Rated') and a water consumption figure. This label replaces the Water Conservation Rating 'AAAAA' label currently appearing on some household water-using products.

See Water Rating website for more information.


Avoid Pollution

Oils, grease, litter, organic matter, paints, heavy metals and sediments are just some of the pollutants that can end up in our harbours and ocean. The best way is to prevent the problems at the source and ensure nothing but rain goes down the drain.

For more information.