Why do we need to conserve our water supply? Within North Shore City we have A-grade drinking water supplied to all households. To ensure that the same quality of drinking water is available to future generations we need to save water now. By reducing the amount of water we use daily, we can defer the need to expand and build new pipes, dams, reservoirs and treatment plants. The Auckland region has a history of water shortages. Aucklanders are already good at saving water but more can be done to ensure that we plan better and allow for future growth now.

What you can do

Inside the home

Savings can be made in many ways around the home. This includes the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, garden and outdoors. Many initiatives that you can introduce around your home to save water don’t cost a thing. These include:

• Turning off the tap when washing teeth
• Only using the dishwasher and washing machine for a full load
• Adjusting your toilet so that each flush uses less water
• Reducing time spent in the shower
• Washing dishes by hand – this uses less water than a dishwasher.

Outside the home

• Watering gardens in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation
• Retain water by covering soil with mulch or bark
• Avoid using garden sprinklers
• Using ‘grey' water for washing the car or watering plants
• Collect and use roof water for watering plants
• Wash the car using a bucket and only rinse using the hose.

Other initiatives

Other initiatives to save water around the home may incur a minimal cost but save you money on your water and power bill. These include:

• Installing an efficient showerhead
• Installing a dual flush system for the toilet
• Checking for and the fixing of leaks in taps and pipes
• Installing a rain water tank
• Using a trigger gun hose.

Using rainwater
Rainwater tank grants
Environmentally friendly stormwater options

What we are doing

North Shore City Council Demand Management Strategy

We plan for the amount of water required by the city in our demand management strategy and have implemented a number of water conservation initiatives:

• A comprehensive leak detection programme
• Warning customers about possible leaks in their private water system detected during meter reading
• Developing computer programmes to analyse and report on how our customers use water to assist in identifying potential savings
• Calculating unaccounted for water (the difference between the amount of the water entering our water supply system and the amount of water being used by customers) and seeking ways to reduce wastage
• Encouraging the installation of individual water meters and the separation of existing shared meters
• A study of retail water tariff with the Customer Advisory Group, a representative group of our customers
• Replacing old meters
• Making information available to customers and educating the community about water conservation.

Caring for our environment - see also:

2007 FREE composting and worm farming courses
Composting and Worm Farming suppliers
Create your own Eden - smart gardening
HazMobile - collection service for hazardous household waste
Mobile recycling bin collection dates
Parks volunteers
Recycling - every bit counts
Reduce rubbish at home
Save water – Save money
Travelwise
Trees - caring for trees and bush
Walking school buses
Walking school buses Family Fun Day
Waste minimisation - be part of a cleaner, sustainable future
Waste minimisation - be part of a cleaner, sustainable future
Waste minimisation - be part of a cleaner, sustainable future
Waste minimisation - be part of a cleaner, sustainable future
WasteWise fund - money available for waste reduction projects