Every drop counts - win $100 off your water bill

Residents connected to Byron Shire Council’s water supply will have the chance to win $100 off their next water bill in a water conservation initiative.

Byron Shire Council’s Mayor Jan Barham said twenty five $100 prizes are on offer if participants can show a 20% reduction in water use from this bill to the next.

An entry form and water conservation brochure has been included in the March water bill mail out.

All registered participants will receive water savings packs (water saving shower heads, shower timers and bath kits) and go in to the draw for $100 off their next water bill.

Mayor Barham said there are lots of small changes people can make in and around homes, and at work, to save water and money.

“If you are looking for ideas, the brochure has some great ideas or go to Council’s website,” she said.

Council’s environmental education officer Jude Mason said figures indicate that 75% of water usage ends up in the sewer.  That is through toilet flushing, laundry, showers, taps and baths.

“There are costs associated with treating this water.

“In Byron, the sewerage usage charge is linked to the water meter. So for every kilolitre (1,000 litres) of water saved, you save $1.80 for water and $1.35 for sewerage usage.  A combined total of $3.15 per kilolitre.

“It all starts to add up when you do the figures,” Ms Mason noted.

If you reduce your shower by a minute, use a water efficient showerhead and switch to a 4 star dual flush toilet, you can make a total water saving of 61,500 litres.  This is an approximate saving of $192.00 per year.

By checking for toilet leaks, between 4,000 and 95,000 litres of wasted water a year can be avoided. That can add up to $299 per year!

Ms Mason said an average household in Byron Shire has the opportunity to make some considerable savings in the home with showers accounting for 24% of water use, toilets – 19%, laundry – 15%, taps / sinks – 10%.

There are some great websites available that will help families understand how to save water http://www.rouswater.nsw.gov.au/   
http://www.savewater.com.au/ 
http://www.byron.nsw.gov.au/water-saving  
and a beaut interactive house http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Water4Life/InYourHome/interactiveHouse/