Spike in water usage

If your water usage has recently increased you may be wondering why, along with what you can do to reduce how much water you use each month. If your water usage has recently increased you may be wondering why, along with what you can do to reduce how much water you use each month. 

Reasons for an increase

There may be a very valid reason why your usage has jumped and some of these may include:

  • House guests
  • The arrival of a new family member including fur babies
  • Installation of a pool or spa
  • Watering in a new lawn or garden
  • It is good to understand why your usage has increased so you know what to expect on your bill as well as understanding how you’re using water around the house.

If you have a digital meter you can check your usage by registering or logging into mySouthEastWater anytime. 

Tips to save water

If aren’t sure why your water use has increased, here are a number of tips to consider to help you reduce your usage around the house.

 

  • Only fill the bath with as much water as you really need
  • Make sure your plug is working and not leaking water down the drain
  • Fill the bath with water that’s the right temperature so you don’t have to add more
  • When finished with the bath, use the water to water your plants
  • Shave a minute off your shower
  • Install a water efficient showerhead
  • Use the half flush on your toilet (when you can!)
  • Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
  • Turn off the tap when washing your hands
  • Run your dishwasher only when it’s full
  • Scrape food scraps in the bin, don’t use running water
  • Wash fruit and vegetable in small container
  • Place a bucket under the tap when waiting for the water to warm up and then use the cold water on your garden
  • When purchasing a dishwasher, look for a higher water saving rating
  • Run the washing machine only when you have a full load
  • Use the eco setting on your machine
  • Adjust the water level to suit the size of the load
  • Treat stains before washing
  • When purchasing a washing machine, look for a more water efficient front loader
  • Water early in the morning
  • Use a hand held hose with a trigger nozzle attached
  • Consider planting drought tolerant Australian natives
  • Use mulch on your garden beds
  • Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation
  • Wash your car with a bucket

Check your previous usage

Have a mySouthEastWater account? Sign in or create an account to check your billing history.

Check your usage

Digital metering

We're trialling new digital meter technology by installing digital meters in thousands of Melbourne homes, so we can spot things like leaks early, before they become a big problem.

Learn more