Though we might think our water is free and plentiful, there is a cost involved in supplying it to our homes and in treating the wastewater which leaves them.
Household water use accounts for around 60% of reticulated (piped) water demand. Supplying water to households and then treating the wastewater which leaves our homes is financially costly. In fact 19% of local government’s energy bill is used for water supply and at least 16% is used for wastewater treatment.
Reticulated water supply and treatment requires dams, pipes, reservoirs or storage areas, and water treatment plants to be constructed and maintained. There is also the cost of the land on which reservoirs or storage areas and water treatment plants sit, and the day to day running costs of water treatment plants and water pumping stations.
We all pay for these costs in some way. In areas such as Waitakere, Tauranga and Nelson, which are on water meters, households are sent a bill for their water use. If you live in an area without water metering you still pay for your water supply and treatment as a portion of your rates bill. If you live in rented accommodation it’s likely that rates charges are considered by your landlord in determining how much to charge for total rent.
Here’s some ways you can save water around your home:
• Design a flush
• Low flow shower head
• Water rating labeling on products
• Washing machines
• Rain gardens
Even the simple act of fixing a leaking tap can save almost 2,000 litres of water a year. That’s enough to fill 20 bathtubs!
