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Issue #07
November 2009

• 'Tis the season...
  for a summer project!
• Instore
  Introducing the Caroma Pearl
• Eco
  The water saving season
• Trends
  Colour in the bathroom
• Getting Started
  A sensory spa experience
• Hot Products
  The Halo

Eco

The water saving season

As summer approaches and thoughts turn to the imminent hot season, complete with sweltering days, balmy nights and a surge in water usage, we thought it was timely to start talking about one serious issue – saving water.

Here are ten easy ways that you can save water this summer season.

(And remember, water restrictions do vary state-by-state, so contact your local council to find out the rules for your local area). 

In the garden

1. Install a trigger nozzle to your hose. They save water by shutting off a hose when moving from plant-to-plant when watering a garden.
2. Install a rainwater tank to harvest those litres of water that run off the roof. The GRAF Carat Underground Rainwater Tank is a fantastic solution for those who want to save space.
3. Keep your garden happy with a tap timer. A tap timer allows your watering system to operate at the most efficient time of the day or night.
4. For an enhanced water saving system install a rain and moisture sensor. These products connect to a controller and save water by preventing an irrigation system from operating after rainfall. 
   
5. Plant a drought tolerant garden and minimise the amount of water you need to use in the garden. 

In the bathroom, kitchen and laundry

6. Update your existing tapware. From mixers, basin sets, sink sets, and showerheads, replacing your tapware with water-efficient WELS rated alternatives is a great way to save water in the home. A standard showerhead uses 15 - 25 litres of water per minute. A WELS three star rated showerhead uses as little as 6 litres per minute without compromising on the water pressure.
7. Install a dual-flush toilet in the bathroom. In some states they are already compulsory in new homes and we can understand why – some old-style toilets use up to 12 litres of water on a flush, compared with a WELS four star rated toilet that uses only 4.5 litres on a full flush and 3 litres on a half flush.
8. Turn the tap off while you are brushing your teeth. This might sound simple, but you could save up to 16 litres of water per minute.
9. Add those beach towels to an existing load of washing and make sure that the machine is full for each and every load of washing that you do.
10. Recycling greywater from the laundry is another way to save water. Greywater regulations do vary in each state, so contact your local authority for more information.