Gardens are an area where huge amounts of water is wasted. Try the following tips to reduce water use outdoors:

• Use a trigger nozzle on your hose to direct water to where it’s needed.
• Watering your plants when the sun is low reduces evaporation. Watering deeply once or twice a week is more effective that watering a little more often.
• Use mulch or compost in the garden to increase water absorption and the moisture content of your soil.
• Water plants at the roots, not the foliage where water can be lost to evaporation.
• Don’t cut off leaves that have been burned in the heat. Leaving it will protect any fresh growth from the sun and heat stress.
• Creating a raingarden will help capture stormwater or overflow from a rainwater tank.
• Swap the hose for a broom when you’re cleaning driveways, footpaths, and patios.

Choosing the right plants for our climate is an easy way to save water. 

Native or climate resilient plants are naturally adapted to thrive with minimal watering, making them the perfect choice for a beautiful garden that uses less water and practically takes care of itself. 

Here are some of our water-saving favourites:

Australian natives 

• Acacia, wattle
• Anigozanthos, kangaroo paw
• Brachyscome, native daisy
• Callistemon, bottlebrush
• Correa
• Eremophila
• Grasses – Lomandra, Dianella
• Grevillia
• Scaevola, fan flower
• Westringia, native rosemary 

Exotics 

• Achillea millefolium, common yarrow
• Agave
• Citrus
• Eschscholzia californica, Californian poppy
• Lavandula, lavender
• Olea europaea, European olive
• Rhaphiolepis
• Salvia
• Sedum
• Thymus, thyme 

Your local nursery can provide advice on plants or use this handy Plant Finder tool to explore plants that are best suited to your garden, climate, soil type and maintenance level.

Wicking beds, timed watering systems and using rainwater, and recycled water are nifty ways to create a water smart garden.

• A wicking bed is a raised garden bed that is built to have a water reservoir at the bottom, and is layered with scoria, geotextile, and soil. Plants draw water from the reservoir through the soil as needed through capillary action. This means less watering, and reduced evaporation.
• Timed watering systems allow water to flow to a specific zone in your garden, at a set time for a duration that's manually set. Watering at night reduces evaporation, keeping moisture in the soil for your plants and lawns to absorb.
• Capturing rainwater to use in your garden is an excellent way to reduce the amount of drinking water you use. Tanks are available in various sizes and styles so chat with your local licensed plumber about the best tank for you. They will also have to complete the installation.
• We encourage the use of recycled water for non-drinking purposes. It's one way we're helping use alternative water sources and reduce reliance on our drinking water supplies. 

You don’t need lots of water to keep your lawn green in summer: 

• In spring, mow your lawn low and feed it with a slow-release lawn fertiliser. This will help revitalise your lawn after winter to make it stronger and better able to resist heat damage in summer.
• Over summer, lift your mower up and mow higher to avoid ‘scalping’ your lawn. This helps keep the soil cool to retain moisture and protect the grass.
• Rather than watering every day, give your lawn a good soak in the early morning once a week. 

There are many varieties of lawn grass. If you’re planning a new lawn, talk to your local turf supplier about varieties that require less water, are climate resilient and are best suited to your local area.

Swimming pools and spas sure are fun! Here are some strategies to keep your pool or spa at its best while being mindful of water wastage:  

• Avoid over filling your pool. It can lower the efficiency of the skimmer and leads to a lot of water wastage.
• Using a cover on your swimming pool or spa, helps reduce evaporation and keep the water clean, so you don’t need to refill as often.
• Maintain your pool or spa and have it checked and repaired if you notice any visible leaks on the surface of the pool. Keep an eye on the water level near the skimmer too as water level changes could mean there is an underground leak.
• Waterfalls and fountains can end up losing a significant amount of water from evaporation and aeration. By turning them off when not needed, you will be able to save water and a lot of energy too.

You don’t need a lot of water to keep your car sparkly clean: 

• Use a bucket and a trigger nozzle when washing the car.
• Set up a rainwater tank to collect rainwater to use to wash your car.
• By washing your car on the grass, not the driveway, you’ll save soap, grime and oils going down the stormwater drain.
• Modern commercial car wash facilities are an environmentally friendly option to wash your car. Many are equipped with water recycling systems and waste collection pits designed to stop pollutants, like heavy metals and petrochemicals, from entering waterways.

An outdoor leak could lead to significant water loss. Keep an eye out for: 

• Dripping taps or leaking hoses.
• Irrigation pipes that may be losing water.
• Damp spots in the garden that could indicate a damaged water pipe.
• Leaks from appliances such as the hot water system or evaporative cooler.
• Your water meter can help you check how much water you are using or to identify a leak. Read your water meter or if you discover something that you can’t fix, call a local plumber to inspect and help resolve the issue.

Permanent Water Saving Rules help Victorians use water wisely every day. These simple rules have been in place since 2011 and help us all use water more efficiently and keep outdoor spaces sustainable. 

Learn more about Permanent Water Saving Rules.