Water Conservation, Australia-Style

Most Canadians have never heard of Goulburn, Australia, but we can learn a lot from the 20,000+ people who live there.  Earlier this decade they lived through one of the worst droughts in living memory and have since become well known for their expertise at water conservation.  Goulburners became water savvy out of necessity: for the two worst years of the drought, each resident was allotted 150 litres of water per person per day (less than half of what an average Canadian uses each day).  It may come as a shock that Canadians are the second largest per capita users of water on earth (second only to the U.S.).  Even the average low-flow showerhead shoots out over 15 litres of water a minute, so clearly we have to be deliberate to curb our water wastage.

Beginning water conservation out in the yard might be the most critical place to start. In a typical summer, 39% of daily household water usage is attributed to yard maintenance alone.  Goulburners could clearly teach Canadians a few things about conserving water and treating it like the precious resource it is.  Following their example, try these easy ways to conserve water outside your home:

• Cover every part of your garden beds. Use mulch, rocks, compost, etc. to reduce soil evaporation by up to 75%.
• Leave grass clippings on your lawn.  They are made up of over 50% water and allow you to use less water and reduce runoff.
• Don’t give your grass a buzz cut.  Taller grass chokes out weeds and holds moisture better.
• Avoid or drastically limit unnecessary fertilizing. Fertilized grass requires more water.  
• Use a rain barrel. Most rainwater rushes out of downspouts and into storm sewers. Instead try to collect roof runoff for outdoor watering.  Rainwater harvesting is mandatory in places like Australia.  
• Water early. First thing in the morning or late in the evening are the best times to water to reduce evaporation. And never on windy days!
• Consider xeriscaping. This creative landscaping technique reduces water usage by planting a garden with drought resistant plants or varieties indigenous to your area.

If you need more than an environmental motivator, here’s one for your wallet – Goulburners saw water bills plummet since the restrictions were brought in. Get those same results by installing some great gadgets to help you conserve water in your yard:

• A programmable thermostat. This will help you save electricity, sprinkler systems save water.  They can be programmed to water at ideal times and for the ideal length of time.  With a rain sensor, the system will only dispense water when your lawn needs it.
• Tap timers. Nix the sprinkler - you will never again forget to shut off a hose that dispenses 1,000 litres of water per hour, the timers will turn off the water by themselves and you won’t be stuck paying the bill.
• Divert from the drain. Install a greywater system to water outside.  The system uses pipes to carry the cleaner household wastewater from sinks, showers, and washing machines to a tank where it is stored to water non-edible yard items.
• Direct the rain. Install a system to direct rainwater from your roof to an aboveground or underground tank from which you pump water out to use in your yard.
• Dig it. Drywells installed in the lower part of your lawn capture water to reuse.