The document provides tips for reducing water usage outside the home, including when maintaining pools, gardens, and washing vehicles. It recommends installing a pool cover, rainwater tank, and drought-resistant plants to reduce evaporation and reliance on mains water. Proper maintenance like fixing leaks and using trigger nozzles, buckets, and brooms can also help conserve water for outdoor activities. Adopting these practices supports sustainable water usage and securing supply for the future.

1. Pools and spas
Top 10 tips
Evaporation is a major reason for water loss from
pools and spas. You can reduce the amount of For saving water outside your home
water used for pools and spas by:
1. Install a rainwater tank
• installing a pool cover to reduce
evaporation 2. Reuse greywater on your garden
• backwashing your filter on the 3. Use a trigger nozzle hose
lawn
4. Use a bucket when washing your car
• using a bucket or rainwater tank
to top up your pool 5. Use a broom to clean driveways and paths
• installing a cover over the pool such 6. Plant drought resistant plants
as a shade sail to limit evaporation
7. Use mulch on your garden to keep in
• following the current water restrictions. moisture Outside your home
8. Use a pool cover to stop evaporation
9. Follow the current water restrictions
10. Regularly monitor your water meter
Taps and fixtures
Dripping taps can waste up to 200 litres per day.
You can check if you have a leak by regularly
monitoring your water meter. If you see a large
increase in your meter readings it is possible you
have a leak. To check for a leak you should record
the reading when no water will be used for a few
hours, like before you go to bed. Check the water
meter in the morning and any increase shows there
may be a leak.
You can reduce the water wasted
from taps and fixtures by: For more information visit
• fixing dripping taps, usually by www.gwcwater.nsw.gov.au
replacing the washer
• installing new water efficient
taps
• retrofitting old taps with aerators or flow control
valves.
If you can’t find the source of the leak or need help
changing fixtures contact your plumber.

2. Living Water Smart - Gardens and lawns Car and boat washing
Outside your home Reduce the amount of water used when washing
Households are responsible for almost 80 your car or boat by using a bucket
percent of all water use on the Central Coast. and sponge or a trigger nozzle
About 30 percent of this from outside activities hose.
like watering the garden, washing your car or To minimise runoff it is
maintaining your pool. recommended you wash
By Living Water Smart in your home you can your car or boat on the
lawn.
help save this precious resource and secure our
water supply for years to come. 21% You should also follow the
current water restrictions for car
The Central Coast has a daily water use target of for watering
150 litres per person. By following this target you and boat washing.
the garden and
can save water and money. This brochure gives lawn
you some tips to help reduce your water use.
You can reduce the amount of water used in your
garden by:
• using native and drought tolerant plants
• composting the soil
• installing a drip irrigation system with timer
• installing a rainwater tank
• watering with a trigger nozzle hose and only at
times when restrictions allow
• using soil wetting agents or water saving
crystals
• using mulch to reduce water loss.
You can reduce the amount of water used on
your lawn by:
• limiting lawn watering during winter
• using an alternate source of water such as a
rainwater tank or greywater
30% • mowing grass higher to make it more drought
tolerant
Other outdoor cleaning
Reduce the amount of water used for outside
of water used cleaning by using a broom, brush or rake. Swap
• not mowing if hot weather is expected
in the home is your hose for a:
from outside • reducing your grassed area
• fertilising all year round. • broom to clean driveways and paths
activities
Do not use fixed hoses, sprinklers and micro • bucket and sponge to clean windows and
spray systems for watering your garden or lawn. outdoor furniture.
These devices waste a large amount of water.