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Have you ever thought about how much water you’re using in a day?  

It can be surprising how much water everyday activities use. Using less water can save money and help protect water supplies for the future.

The information below shows how much water common household activities use and where you may be able to reduce your water use.

The shower

  • A water-efficient showerhead uses approximately 9 litres per minute.
  • An older showerhead uses approximately 19 litres per minute.
  • Having a daily 5-minute shower with an older showerhead uses about 36,500 litres of water a year.

TIP:
If you can, try to keep your showers under 3 minutes and consider installing a 3-star water-saving showerhead.

The bath

  • A bath uses between 50 to 150 litres of water per fill, depending on the water level.

TIP: Instead of filling your bath completely, fill it halfway or even a quarter of the way. This reduces water usage significantly while still allowing you to bathe comfortably.

Dishwashing by hand

  • Takes around 15 to 18 litres of water to fill the kitchen sink.

TIP:
Washing dishes by hand can significantly save water when done efficiently, using techniques like 
filling a basin and scraping food off plates instead of rinsing.

Dishwashers

  • Modern dishwashers use around 15 litres for a fast cycle and 20 litres for a normal cycle. Check your manual to find out how much your dishwasher uses. 

TIP:
You can save water while using a dishwasher by running full loads, scraping dishes instead of rinsing, and using eco-friendly cycles.

Washing machines

  • A modern front-loading machine uses 50 litres on a normal cycle.
  • A top loader uses 120-150 litres on a normal cycle.
  • A twin tub uses approximately 70 litres of water on a normal cycle.

TIP:
You can save water while using your washing machine by washing full loads, using cold water, and choosing water-efficient appliances.

General use

  • For handwashing, brushing teeth, cooking and household cleaning you will use around 18 litres per person per day.
  • Leaving the tap running while brushing your teeth uses about 5 litres of water.

TIP:
Fill up smarter
Instead of leaving the tap running while brushing your teeth, fill a basin or sink with water and turn off the tap. This saves a lot of water over time.
Use water efficient appliances
Opt for energy-efficient and water-saving appliances. Run them only when you have full loads to maximise efficiency.

Watering the garden

A garden sprinkler uses approximately 1000 litres of water an hour. A rain gauge near your sprinkler can help you better measure how much water you’re using.

TIP:
Embrace garden efficiency
Consider planting drought-tolerant plants and using mulch to reduce evaporation. Water your plants in the early morning or late evening.

Dripping taps or leaking toilets

  • A dripping tap can waste up to 200 litres of water a day.

TIP:
If you have a dripping tap, it’s important to address the issue promptly to prevent further water waste 
and potential damage to your plumbing system.

You can save water with your toilet by using low-flow or dual-flush systems, displacing tank water, and maintaining internal components like the flapper valve.

There are water efficiency resources available at https://www.smartwatermark.org/Victoria/ with the hints and tips designed to provide customers with easy ways to save water in the home, garden and even at work.

Use this online water calculator to estimate your metered water consumption.