Know your garden and lawn

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Last Updated on Thursday, 07 February 2013 14:38

Every garden and lawn is different – from the plants you have chosen, to the soil you have and the wind and sunshine your garden receives. It is likely that different parts of your garden will have a different microclimate and may therefore have different watering requirements.

Planning your garden

When planning a new irrigation system or modifying an existing system you should select the system and emitters which are efficient and appropriate for your:

• soil type of your garden
• plant selection
• microclimate

For example, drippers are an excellent and water-wise irrigation option for most gardens, but may not be suitable for sandy soils.

Read more: Know your garden and lawn

Being WaterWise inside

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 08:51

Help us conserve our water – it’s a limited and precious resource! Here are some handy hints for conserving this precious resource. For some helpful ideas and factsheets go to this website.

In the kitchen

• Keep a jug of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks
• Collect the water you use for rinsing fruit and vegetables in a sink or a container then re-use the water for your houseplants
• Cook food in as little water as possible - this will also retain more of the nutrients
• Avoid rinsing dishes under a running tap before putting them in the dishwasher - scrape instead
• Run your dishwasher only when it is full and you could save 1,576 litres a month.

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Efficient watering practices

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 09:59

Efficient Irrigation for water conservation guideline was introduced in March 2009 under the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code and applies across Queensland for all new installations of irrigation systems. If you are planning to install a new irrigation system for your garden then you will need to be aware of, and comply with this guideline.

This guideline applies to the use of all irrigation systems including existing irrigation systems connected to a town water supply within the Toowoomba Regional Council boundaries.

The document - Efficient Irrigation for Water Conservation Guideline - linked to this article was developed by Qld Water Commission and applies to all areas within Queensland and the use of irrigation systems are subject to council's' water restrictions. For detailed information view here.

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Being WaterWise outside

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 10:32

Help us conserve our water – it’s a limited and precious resource! Being WaterWise in the garden means thinking and acting conservatively with water. Here are a few handy hints for conserving this precious resource in outdoor water use, for gardening, pools and general cleaning.

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Home water use monitoring

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Last Updated on Monday, 04 February 2013 11:01

How much water do you use? Are you being WaterWise? 

WaterWatcher is an online tool that enables you as a local resident of Toowoomba Regional Council to track the household usage on a regular basis - graphing the data you enter and offering encouragement as your household becomes more waterwise.

Using WaterWatcher

Go to WaterWatcher (opens in new window) and register as a user today. Note: only properties connected to a TRC water supply will have a water meter.

To use the WaterWatcher, you will need to register and gather certain information before you start. 

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Check for leaks

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 09:27

How to check for leaks

Turn off ALL taps when you go to work or school or away for holidays then read your water meter. When you get home, check the meter again. If your meter has changed, you’ve got a leak either under ground, in a toilet or an outside tap. Call a plumber to fix it.

Do you know how to stop a leaking tap? Check out the video clip link on the SaveWater website for more information about changing a tap washer.

Why we need to stay WaterWise

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Last Updated on Friday, 07 December 2012 21:46

Under Permanent Conservation Measures, residents are urged to continue being conservative in their use of water.  The target for residential consumption is now 200 L/p/d for Toowoomba City and areas connected to the Toowoomba Bulk water supply and Greenmount Service Area water supplies.

Over the last few years the community is to be congratulated for reducing water usage to below 140L/p/d and are continuing to keep usage to this conservative level. In the articles in this section you will find useful tips to help stay within our target of 200L/p/d.

Read more: Why we need to stay WaterWise

Managing Urban Demand for Water

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Last Updated on Friday, 07 December 2012 21:46

Water Demand Management Programs over the last few years have been successful in significantly reducing Toowoomba’s residential water consumption (litres per person per day). Check the current water consumption figures in the related documents found on this link.

• 238 L/p/day in second half of 2003-04
• 210 L/p/d  for 2004/5

Level 4, introduced August 2005, restricted outside watering to buckets only. This produced the biggest single drop in residential water use. Level 5 was introduced in September 2006 prohibiting all external watering from town water supplies. The community responded well.

• 128 L/p/day in corresponding period in 2007-08
• 125 L/p/d averaged between 2008-2010 - Non residential water use declined during this period by a similar proportion. 

Read more: Managing Urban Demand for Water