We all know how integral water is to our everyday lives. It nourishes us and is essential as we go about our daily routines - drinking, washing, cleaning, cooking, and creating. Yet, having instant access to fresh water is something most of us take for granted. In Melbourne, we’re fortunate to have some of the freshest and cleanest water in the world. But our supply is limited, making the water we do have our most precious resource.

Our city is growing every day, and with more people it means we’re using more water than rainfall is providing. Oh, and it’s not just people who rely on our precious resource - animals and entire ecosystems depend on fresh water to survive and thrive too!

The numbers: Well, the average person here in Melbourne uses 162 litres of water a day. Now, if we could reduce that to 150 litres, the effect would be huge on our supply (and in our pockets too!)
Did you know your water bill tells you how much water you use per day? To work out if you're meeting Target 150, look for the daily water use information on your bill.

How can we do this? Firstly, being mindful of our daily water use, and implementing ways to save water every day - that we know we can stick to. Also getting the whole family involved and working together. Check your next bill to see how well you have all done!

We are all busy families, so Mamma has some simple ways we can save water every day at home

1. In the laundry - be sure to have a full load in the washing machine, use the eco cycle, and when purchasing new appliances be sure to buy water-efficient products.

2. In the garden - Make sure you check the weather before watering the garden - no need to water if rain is on its way! The best times to water is morning and evening - and use a trigger nozzle on your hose which helps get water to the right spot and reduce evaporation.
It’s always best to use native plants when you can as they are more drought resistant. Also, mulch in garden beds helps to retain water in the soil.

3. In the kitchen - you can save water by skipping the rinse before loading plates into the dishwasher. Did you know the average dishwasher uses around 13 litres of water per load, while hand washing can use at least 20 litres? Also again, be sure to check the efficiency when buying new appliances.

4. In the bathroom - Take a few minutes off your shower time – there's no need to sing the whole song you have in your head! Teenagers, we know you love to take your time, but consider using a timer to remind you to save both water and money by taking a shorter shower.

Oh, and water-saving showerheads make a huge difference!

Remember to just use the half flush button - and make sure the kids know which is which!

Dont let all that bathwater go down the drain! Get the kids to help carry buckets out and empty onto the garden.

5. All over the home - Check for leaking taps. A dripping tap can waste between 30 and 200 litres of water a day, adding up to 12,000 litres a year. A running tap uses around 16 litres of water per minute.