Water Conservation Tips

When it comes to conserving water, every drop counts - a dripping tap can waste up to 90 litres of water a day.

Here are some easy things you can do to help conserve our water:

• turn taps off while you shave, and brush your teeth
• run your dishwasher only when it's full
• turn your taps off properly and repair dripping taps
• store drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap cold.

Plugging Leaks

The Council is serious about saving water and actively looks for street leaks. In addition, Council employees respond to about 12,000 calls annually to fix leaks and other water problems.

If you see water leaking from a hydrant, a toby (your main water shut off valve), or anywhere else, please contact the Council.

For urgent requests call (04) 499 4444, any day - any time.

Watering Your Garden

Wellington’s highest water use happens in summer when more water is used outside, particularly on gardens.

During summer, if every Wellington household turned on a garden hose for one hour a day 70 million extra litres of water would be used - almost double Wellington's daily winter use.

Wellington has year-round restrictions on sprinklers and garden hoses. More stringent restrictions may apply during summer months.

Wellington Water Restrictions

The Council promotes watering during cooler times of the day, and allows plenty of opportunity to keep plants well-watered.

The following tips will help make Wellington’s water go further:

• Check soil moisture - if your soil is moist 10 centimetres below the surface you don't need to water.
• Water in cool settled weather - water your garden on calmer days, in the cool of early morning or in the evening.
• Aim low and slow - water close to the ground at a rate the soil can absorb.
• Using a sprinkler - established plants should only need 30 minutes watering once or twice a week in dry weather.
• Use mulch - mulch protects your soil from the drying effects of wind and sun, and can cut evaporation by 70 percent.

Saving Water in the Garden (151Kb PDF)

Related Links

• Be the Difference - Greater Wellington Regional Council website
• Wellington Water Charter (229Kb PDF) | Text version (455Kb Doc)

Department Details:
Capacity (Wellington Water Management Ltd)