Our Water Our Future GreenPlumbers® – Victoria

The GreenPlumbers® Our water our future program is proudly supported by Melbourne’s government owned water businesses and the Master Plumbers & Mechanical services association of Australia – working together to promote water savings initiatives within Melbourne.

Our Water Our Future GreenPlumbers® help you save water by providing the latest knowledge and independent advice at market rates.

Click here to listen to our radio advertisement - MP3

Our Water Our Future GreenPlumbers® program equips plumbers with the knowledge, skills and accreditation to build their business by helping customers save water.

For further information on how to save water and Victorian Government initiatives visit; http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au

Melbourne Water

Melbourne Water manages the waterways and major drainage systems around Melbourne. They manage over 5000 kilometres of waterways and over 1200 kilometres of drains.
Melbourne Water spends over $23 million a year improving our waterways.

Melbourne Water is involved in projects such as:

• Stabilising and rehabilitating eroded waterways
• Improving stream frontages
• Establishing and managing wetlands to filter stormwater run-off
• Providing community grants to support 'friends of' volunteers groups
• Investing $600,000 to help local councils to develop Stormwater Action Management Plans
• Community education programs - These programs have helped the platypus and grayling fish to return to the waterways.

Visit their website at http://www.melbournewater.com.au/

Water Saving Tips

The Garden:

• don't cut lawn shorter than 2cm
  
• mulching your garden can save up to 73% of water lost through evaporation
  
• a forgotten sprinker can waste 1000 litres of water per hour
  
• garden irrigation systems & watering timbers
  
• moisture sensors are useful for detecting when your garden's had enough water
  
• water during the cooler periods of the day, early morning or late evening

The Kitchen:

• a running tap can use up to 15-20 litres/minute
  
• wash fruit and vegies in a sink half full (approx. 12 lt)
  
• an average dishwasher uses 35 litres per wash so follow the manufacturers instructions and maximize its use
  
• don't rinse dishes before loading into dishwasher

• you can use up to 120 litres each time you use the washing machine
  
• when buying a new washing machine look for one that is water and energy efficient
  
• front loading washing machines use 40% less water than top loading washing machines

• replacing a single flush toilet with a 6/3 dual flush can save up to 8 litres per flush (or for the average family 36,180 litres per year)
  
• leaking toilets can waste up to 16,000 litres per year
  
• don't leave the tap running while you brush your teeth
  
• older style shower heads can use up to 24 litres per minute. Install a AAA rated shower head (9 litres per minute), depending on water pressure, location and quality of pipework.

For Further Information:
Melbourne Water
Conserve Water
or contact your local water retailer