When it comes to indoor water conservation, remember the three Rs: reduce, repair, retrofit. Reducing unnecessary water use, repairing leaks, and retrofitting old appliances can reduce indoor water consumption by 40% or more, with little or no effect on your household’s lifestyle.

Reduce

A large percentage of the water we use in our daily activities is wasted. Small changes to the ways we use water can have big impacts on overall water consumption. Here are some ways you can reduce water use in day to day life:

• Don’t flush garbage down the toilet
• Challenge yourself to take shorter showers
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving 
• Refrigerate your water instead of running the tap
• Wait until dishwashers and washing machines are full before running them

Repair

Even if you are carefully watching your water usage, you could be using a lot of extra water due to leaking appliances or plumbing fixtures. It is important to regularly check for leaks around your house to ensure that water is not slipping away, undetected.

• Listen for running toilets and test your toilet for leaks
• Check faucets and pipes for dripping or leaking
• Get any leaks or drips fixed
• Invest in an electronic sensory device to monitor leaks

Retrofit

Retrofitting means replacing an older water-using fixtures or appliances with newer, water-efficient devices. Retrofitting offers considerable water saving potential for households.

• Invest in an ultra-low-volume toilet or install a toilet tank bag
• Install a low-flow showerhead
• Add aerators to your faucets
• Look water efficiency labelling when buy new appliances