July 27 2004

Calculated savings on water

It is amazing how much water you can waste without realising it.

To find out how much goes down the drain unnecessarily in your household, check out North Shore City Council's new online, interactive water calculator.

The immediate results will not only help you conserve water, but save money too.

Works and environment committee chairperson, Joel Cayford, says it does not take much to make a difference.

"It is as simple as turning off dripping taps, not running the water when you are brushing your teeth, only using the washing machine when there is a full load, and using grey water to wash the car instead of the hose," he says.

The interactive water calculator at www.northshorecity.govt.nz asks you to input the amount of water you use a day, for example for showers, in the kitchen, and outside to water the garden.

If you use more than the average in North Shore City of 180 litres per person, the calculator will give you personalised water saving tips, and tell you what your potential savings could be.

Councillor Cayford says the water calculator will also be useful for school projects about water.

"Wise water use in the home often starts with kids asking awkward questions," he says.

"Using water wisely is important. By cutting down the amount we use each day, we can also put off the need to expand and build new pipes, dams, reservoirs and treatment plants," he says. Also new at www.northshorecity.govt.nz are the Water Info webpages. They have up-to-date information about wastewater, stormwater and water supply projects the council is working on.

For example, there are details of the Kokopu Connection* process, updates on the Browns Bay sewer upgrade*, and ongoing news about Project CARE*.

The Water Info webpages also offer other tips such as how to be environmentally friendly by using rainwater, and smart gardening.

ENDS

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