Saving for a non-rainy day
Without a doubt, one of the best things about living in the Territory is the laidback lifestyle. Our regulations can be pretty laidback too – did you know we’re the only state/territory not to have any water restrictions in place? Let’s keep it that way by getting H20 savvy. And soon.
By Tierney White
Picture this: it’s a hot and steamy Darwin evening at about 6pm (not unusual, of course) and you go to water the garden. You’re just about to turn on the tap when you realise – you can’t water the garden because of the new water restrictions. This may seem hard to fathom at the moment, but it’s a scenario Darwin residents are facing if changes aren’t made to help reduce water waste.
Darwinites enjoy high levels of water use – almost the highest in Australia. It may seem like we have a lot of water lying around thanks to those broody Wet season storms rolling in (if we’re lucky!), but our current rate of water consumption isn’t sustainable. Living Water Smart, sponsors of this month’s cover art competition, is a Power and Water initiative to help us understand the importance of conserving Darwin’s water supply. It can help you save water with simple tips and offers Water Efficiency Consultations for high water users in the Darwin region. Plus, if you purchase water efficient products or services for your home or business, there’s a bunch of rebates to save your hard earned bucks as well as water – now that’s what we call a Dar-win!
The main area we’re overdoing it in is the garden – we’re overwatering our gardens and at pretty odd times too. The second biggie is leaks. Yep – leaks around the house and garden that you may never see or know about. The third is bathroom use. Sure, it’s hot in Darwin and you may need another shower after the mad dash from the car to the house after school or work, but standing in the shower flicking water patterns over the shower screen in a daze for 20 minutes isn’t going to help the situation.
A common response when the issue of water conservation is raised is, “but we’ve got the Wet season – there’s plenty of water!” Sure we have an entire season dedicated to rain, but only a percentage of that rain can actually be captured. And let’s not forget that not every Wet season is the same, each one yielding varying water levels – last year’s Wet season anyone? Extended Build Up more like it…
It’s not only households Living Water Smart is working with to preserve Darwin’s future water supply – it’s working closely with government, councils, large businesses and organisations to do their bit too.
At the end of the day, we won’t need water restrictions if we all do our bit to save water. Have shorter showers, water the garden at appropriate times (hot tip – the middle of the day is not an appropriate time and, no matter how much you water it, the cement won’t grow) and check around your house or bizo for leaks. Jump on the Living Water Smart website for some handy tips on how you can make a difference. Darwin’s water – it’s yours to save!
