Top tips for a healthy tank to save water
Advertiser Content for Hunter Water.
Like much of NSW, the Hunter region is feeling the impact of the long dry. So far autumn has failed to deliver enough rainfall to boost our dams, and as the levels continue to fall, the need for us all to do our bit to Love Water remains as important as ever to preserve our precious resource.
Hunter Water is encouraging everyone to be water wise all year round, not just in response to conditions or circumstances. By making small changes at home, like taking shorter showers and waiting for full loads before doing washing, together we can make a big difference in how much water we use.
Another easy way to save our valuable drinking water is to ensure your rainwater tank is being used efficiently. Did you know that by connecting your tank to the toilet, washing machine and outdoor hose you could save up to 85,000 litres of water a year? That's equivalent to 281 bathtubs of water!
Hunter Water's Water Resilience Project Manager Kirsty Jones said there are some simple things you can do to check if your rainwater system is working properly.
"To make sure your tank is properly connected to your roof, check that the water level in your tank has gone up after rain. You can do this by tapping on the side of the tank and listening for the change in sound that tells you where the water level is at," she said.
"It's also a good idea to test if the pump connected to your tank is working. You can do this by getting someone to flush the toilet or turn on an outdoor tap while you stand next to the tank and listen for the hum to start, which means the pump has switched on. If you can't hear anything you might need to get the pump repaired or replaced," she continued.
"It's also really important to keep your roof gutters and the inlet screen for the tank clean and clear. Keeping debris out of the tank can help prevent the water from getting discoloured or smelly.
"Don't forget that a lot of rainwater tanks are automatically topped up with drinking water from the network, which means you might not even realise that there is a problem with your rainwater system. If you find you have used more drinking water than you expected, it might be worth carrying out a check of your rainwater tank and pump.
"All of these measures can help make sure your rainwater tank is working efficiently and effectively year-round, which in turn will help reduce the amount of drinking water that you use your home. Together we can all do our bit to love water and use it wisely," said Kirsty.
For more information and useful tips on maintaining a healthy rainwater tank, or for more ways to save water around your home, visit www.hunterwater.com.au/rwtanks.
Advertiser Content for Hunter Water.
