Many people think that Darwin has an endless supply of water, but this is a myth. We are currently using more water than can be captured and supplied in the long term and we are among the highest water users anywhere in Australia.

Living Water Smart was organized by Power and water to help reduce costs and water usage for owners by providing water efficiency advice, incentives and constant support. 

On offer is the $300-$500 Garden Tune Up Rebate

Living Water Smart’s Garden Tune Up provides a free garden irrigation audit by one of there registered irrigation experts. It usually takes around one hour and includes:

• A seasonal water smart irrigation schedule for your garden, including run times and days per week etc. The irrigator will also set the program for you.
• A review of your irrigation equipment and on the spot minor repairs to the value of $50.
• Other general advice on water efficient gardening, such as plant types, plant zoning and water requirements, garden design, fertilisers, local soil types and mulches.
• Recommendations about smart controllers and other technologies to further improve your garden irrigation and efficiency.

Learn more about the rebate here: https://www.livingwatersmart.com.au/gardentuneup

Some other tips for savings water in the home and your garden:

1. Water after 8pm and before 6am to avoid evaporation during the heat of the day.
2. When the Wet season really kicks in, turn your irrigation off and let nature do the watering saving you water.
3. Water leaks can go unnoticed for years. A leaking toilet, barely discernible to the naked eye, can lose over 200kL of water per year. Learn here how to identify leaks in your home.
4. When boiling your food at home, adding the lid boils your vegetables quicker, saves water, saves power and preserves precious vitamins in the food.
5. Showers use less water than baths, but you may be shocked to find out the difference in water usage shower to shower. It all comes down to your showerhead. Changing your showerhead to a newer version, you could save 20,000 litres of water a year!
6. Older toilets use much more water than newer models. If you have an older loo, consider upgrading.
7. The dishwasher is the highest consumer of water in your kitchen. Save your hands and your pockets, is to choose a water efficient model.
8. When you clean your fish tank, you can make use of that water rather than pouring it down the drain. Use the ‘old’ nitrogen and phosphorous-rich water on your plants and watch your garden flourish.

Finally, check out the other Living Smart Water offers from PowerWater, there are offers for businesses and schools as well. Check them out here.