Target 155 - Top 10 Things To Do In The Toilet (to Save Water)

Just Two Litres Over
Have You Made the Switch from One Flush to Two?

Cool weather has provided our water reservoirs with a much needed break, with Melburnians using on average just 157 litres of water per person per day, despite no rainfall being recorded over central Melbourne for more than a week.

For the past month Melburnians used an average of 158 litres per person per day - eight litres less than this time last year - despite temperatures being hotter on average than the same period last year. Such a drop in summer consumption points to the long term benefits of fixed water-saving measures such as water efficient shower heads, the uptake of water efficient appliances and the now-embedded water-saving behaviours such as turning off the taps when brushing teeth.

With this week's encouraging result, water authorities are calling for the owners of Melbourne's 400,000 single flush toilets to rid themselves of their water wasting loo, and to swap over to a dual flush model. To support such a move, they have developed the dual flush toilet retrofit program, to provide a four star, water efficient toilet for nearly half its regular cost (from $334).

"This Melbourne-wide offer has the ability to save the city up to 15 billion litres of water each and every year - with each new toilet saving approximately seven litres per flush, or a saving of nearly 10 per cent off each households entire water consumption for the year," explains Mr Tony Kelly, Target 155 Spokesperson and Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water.

"With water-efficient dual flush toilets using 3 litres and 4.5 litres for a half and full flush respectively, the dual flush retrofit program is an easy 'install and forget' tactic to help your household achieve Target 155 and continue to save money year in year out," details Mr Kelly.

For those with a water efficient toilet already installed, or who are rental tenants, see below for more simple ways to save.

The Top Ten Things To Do In The Toilet (To Save Water):

1. Look for four or more stars when renovating bathrooms/ selecting new toilets as more stars = greater savings

2. Upgrade your single flush to a 4 star dual flush toilet under the dual flush toilet replacement program

3. Install a cistern weight to make your old toilet more efficient. Your water retailer may well provide one for free

4. Check for leaks in your toilet - Simply put a few drops of food dye in the cistern, wait 15 minutes and then check the water in the bowl. If the food dye colour appears in the bowl you have a leak

5. Place a filled water bottle in the cistern of an old inefficient toilet for a simple way to reduce water use

6. Use a single flush wherever possible

7. Don't flush unnecessarily - do not use the toilet to dispose of food or other liquids

8. Help your rainwater tank to quickly pay for itself - have it plumbed to the toilet - and enjoy the government rebates

9. Use recycled 1 or 2 ply toilet paper - as it flushes with much greater ease

10. Ban the bidet.

Melbourne's water storages have continued to decline this week, to a little over 36 per cent full confirming the need to diversify Melbourne's water supply. Work is currently underway to build Australia's largest desalination plant, upgrade irrigation channels and expand the water grid. But we all need to keep saving water.

Under Stage 3a Water Restrictions:
* Lawns must not be watered at any time
* Even and no-numbered properties can water plants on Sat & Tues 6am - 8am
* Odd-numbered properties can water plants on Sun & Wed 6am - 8am
* Residents aged 70+ can water plants on their specified days between
* 6am - 8am OR the alternate time of 8am - 10am
* Automatic dripper systems can be used to water plants on specified
watering days between midnight - 2am
* Rain/ grey water can be used at any time
* Cars can be washed at commercial car washes or at home using rain/ grey water

For more water saving tips and information go to www.target155.vic.gov.au

Media Enquires:

Caroline Doherty, T155 Media Manager
M: 0421 465 274
[email protected]

Rainfall Storages and Rainfall Data
Nick McGay, Melbourne Water
M: 0438 981 836
[email protected]


SOURCE: Target 155