Raining or not, every drop counts: Let’s love water all year round

Here in the Lower Hunter, we have a variable climate, which means we can go from healthy water storage levels to empty in just three years. That may sound like a fair amount of time, but it's not when you're considering what we might need to ensure our region doesn't run out of water.

Inconsistent weather conditions have a big impact on our storage levels. While we've had some decent rainfall over the last few months, that doesn't always mean the right parts of the Lower Hunter are receiving rain. Chichester Dam has had a boost, with a return to 100% capacity; however, in early January, storage was down to 71%. Shallow storages and high evaporation rates mean that the capacity of our dams can change quickly. We can't always rely on rain to distribute evenly across our catchments; some parts of the region may experience heavy rain while others remain in drought.

Making Smart Water Choices keeps our dams and aquifers fuller for longer and contributes to the equal distribution of our most precious resource. Saving water isn’t just a response to drought but a proactive and responsible approach to ensuring a sustainable future for our region.

As a community, the amount of water we use can significantly impact our storage levels. Here are some of our handy tips to try at home:

• Next time you're waiting for the shower water to warm up, try to save the cold water by putting a bucket on the shower floor. You can then use it in the garden, on pot plants, to soak laundry, wash hands, or even to flush the toilet.

• Ensuring your rainwater tank is being used efficiently is an easy way to save our most precious resource. If you have one, here are some things you can do to check your tank: Make sure it's properly connected to your roof, check if the pump connected to your tank is working, are your roof gutters clean, and is the inlet screen and first flush system for the tank clean and clear.

• Indoor plants are a great way to boost your mood, productivity, and concentration. Many indoor plants require limited watering, making them the perfect water-savvy addition to your home.

• Have you got a pool cover for your pool yet? Did you know that using a pool cover can reduce water evaporation by 90%? Check out The Water Conservancy's list of certified water-efficient pool products.
• A dripping tap can waste up to 11 buckets of water a day! Regularly checking your taps, pipes and fittings around your property can make a big difference in saving water. Find out how to check for a leak.