New Zealand Water

Water Conservation at Home in New Zealand

New Zealand has a plentiful supply of fresh water, but it can't be taken for granted. Find out how water quality and quantity affects us, and how to conserve water at home.

• Water and Waste Management
• Climate Change

The Quality and Quantity of New Zealand's Fresh Water
New Zealand has the highest-quality fresh water in the world. It is also in good supply. However, our freshwater quality is getting worse in areas where land is used very intensively. Demand for water is also increasing, particularly in drought-prone areas.

We have 425,000 kilometres of rivers. Those in undeveloped areas make up about half the total and generally have good-quality water. The other half are in urban and agricultural areas, and have much lower-quality water. Pollution comes from farmland, such as animal dung and fertiliser, and from urban areas where oil, chemicals and other pollutants get into streams and rivers.

Because New Zealand has a low population and high rainfall, we have more fresh water available per person than most countries. However, not all of this water is in the right place at the right time. Many areas experience drought or flooding, and sometimes both at different times of year.

How Does Water Quality Affect Us?
More than 230 sites on rivers and lakes are regularly monitored for water quality. These are places where people go for recreational activities such as swimming, water-skiing and diving. The water is tested once a week during summer for E. coli, a bacterium that flourishes where animal or human sewage pollutes the water.

If E. coli levels are above a certain level, public health warnings are given out by the regional council. Be sure to check for warning signs at your favourite swimming spot before plunging in. E. coli can make people, especially children and older people, very sick. The main symptoms are painful stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

Sixty per cent of monitored swimming spots in rivers and lakes have good, safe water almost all the time. The rest may have unsafe levels of E. coli and should be avoided. Also avoid any water that looks murky, or is bright green with a strong smell. This water may have an overgrowth of algae because the water contains too many nutrients. This algae can be poisonous.

How Does Water Quantity Affect Us?
New Zealanders use two to three times more water per person than people in most other developed countries for farming and industry, and at home. Drier parts of the country have the highest demand for water, mostly for farmland irrigation.

We need to manage our water carefully to balance the competing needs of users and the aquatic environment. We all enjoy and rely on easy access to clean and fresh water, but we can't take this for granted. Using too much water comes at a cost to you and the environment. Even areas of high rainfall, such as the West Coast of the South Island, still face the cost of filtering and supplying clean water.

How Can I Conserve Water At Home?

In the Bathroom

Toilets and showers each use a quarter of the typical household's water supply. Simple changes to the way you use them can lead to big water savings in your home.

A typical older-style single flush toilet uses 11 litres of water each flush. You can reduce this by reducing the amount of water in the cistern. A brick is one option, but don't use one that will produce grit that can block the pipes. A good alternative is a filled and capped plastic 1 or 1.5 litre milk bottle. Just check that it doesn't catch on any moving parts.

The average shower head with mains pressure delivers at least 12 litres of water a minute and often much more. Low-flow shower heads reduce this to about 5-7 litres a minute, saving water and energy. A low-flow showerhead costs about $40, but the overall savings can be considerable. Choose one with a water-efficiency rating of AAA or more. Plumbing suppliers stock most major brands with a low-flow option.

In the Laundry

The laundry uses about one-fifth of household water. Tap aerators restrict water flow from the tap without reducing water pressure. Typical taps discharge 15-18 litres a minute. Tap aerators can cut water flow by 50%, meaning your laundry will require much less water.

If you're replacing your washing machine, look for one with a AAA water efficiency rating.

In the Garden

On average, 20% of household water goes on the garden.

A rainwater tank collects rain that falls directly onto your roof. Rainwater tanks can supply about half an average family's water needs. They're cheaper to install if used for gardening only, but can be used for flushing toilets too.

Water-friendly gardens can be created by using native, drought-resistant plants, mulch, light-coloured stones or gravel to reflect heat, and a dripper irrigation system rather than spraying. Irrigate plants in the cool of the day and directly onto the roots.

Looking for more information on water management? Check out the NZS.com directory.

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Lifestyle images from Flickr: The World Of Water, Yoga and Wine.