How to Save Money On Your Water Bill

Saving money on your water bill is a two-step process: first, find and fix costly hidden leaks, then reduce daily water consumption. The most common cause of a sudden bill increase is a silent toilet leak, which can waste hundreds of litres a day. This guide provides a 5-minute leak detection checklist and 15 actionable tips to immediately lower your water usage and take control of your bill.

According to recent Canstar Blue research from January 2024, the average quarterly water bill in Australia has risen to $217, up from $208 in 2023. With households paying an average of $3.43 per kilolitre for water, every drop counts when it comes to managing your household budget.

The quickest way to check for a hidden leak is to read your water meter before and after a 1-2 hour period of no water use. If the reading changes, you have a leak. The most likely culprit is a faulty toilet flapper, which you can test with food colouring.

1. Locate your water meter
2. Turn off all water-using appliances
3. Record the reading or take a picture
4. Wait 2 hours (do not use any water)
5. Check the meter again. If the dial has moved, you have a leak

1. Remove the toilet tank lid
2. Drop 10-15 drops of food colouring into the tank water
3. Wait 15 minutes (do not flush)
4. Check the water in the toilet bowl. If any colour has appeared, your toilet flapper is leaking and needs to be replaced

Check Faucets and Fixtures:
Visually inspect and listen for drips from all faucets, showerheads, and outdoor spigots.

Perform the Toilet Dye Test. It takes less than a minute to set up and is the #1 cause of high water bills. A silent toilet leak can waste up to 700 litres per day – that’s over 250,000 litres per year!

Problem: The meter is moving, but the toilet test is clear and there are no dripping faucets.

Solution: The leak may be in the service line between the meter and your house. Check for damp spots in your yard or listen for the sound of running water when everything is off. You may need to call an emergency plumber.

Success Metrics: A stable water meter reading during the test indicates you do not have a major leak.

The most effective ways to lower water usage are to shorten shower times, only run full loads of laundry and dishes, and install water-efficient fixtures. Fixing leaks remains the top priority, but these habit changes offer the next biggest savings.

1. Reduce Shower Time by 2 Minutes: Saves up to 570 litres per month. Every 1 litre per minute difference in shower flow will save a family of four nearly 12 kilolitres of water and $35 each year.
2. Install a Low-Flow Showerhead: Saves up to 11,000 litres per year. For a family of 4, replacing a shower that flows at 15 L/min with a 3-star shower at 9 L/min will save 70 kL and $210 each year on water bills.
3. Only Run Full Loads: Applies to both washing machines and dishwashers. Modern Energy Star dishwashers use less than 15 litres per load when run efficiently.
4. Turn Off the Tap: While brushing teeth or washing hands. This simple habit can save thousands of litres annually.
5. Fix That Leaky Faucet: A single drip can waste over 11,000 litres per year.

• Use a dishwasher instead of hand washing (when full)
• Keep a jug of cold water in the fridge instead of running the tap
• Scrape dishes rather than rinsing before dishwashing
• Use the half-load or eco setting when available
• Defrost frozen food in the fridge overnight rather than under running water

• Wait for full loads or adjust water level settings
• Use cold water when possible to save on heating costs
• Check washing machine hoses for leaks regularly
• Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency model (uses 57-114 litres vs 114-170 litres for older models)
• Pre-treat stains to avoid rewashing

• Time your next shower. Use your phone’s stopwatch
• Wait until the dishwasher is completely full before running it
• Put a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of letting the tap run to get cold

Progress Indicators: By shortening your shower by 2 minutes and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, a family of four can save over 19,000 litres of water per year.

In most homes, toilets are the biggest water user, followed by showers and washing machines. A standard 10-minute shower typically uses less water than a full bath, especially with a water-efficient showerhead.

Showers are Best For: Daily cleaning, as they are faster and use less water and energy than baths.

Baths are Best For: Soaking and relaxation, but should be considered a luxury to conserve water.

The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme helps Australians save water, with estimates showing that using water-efficient products could save Australians $2 billion by 2030, an average saving of $175 per household each year. In 2024, the WELS scheme is set to save 172 gigalitres of water across Australia or about 18 litres per person per day.

When shopping for new fixtures, look for the WELS star rating – the more stars, the more water-efficient the product. Replacing an old single-flush toilet (12 L flush) with a 4-star toilet (3.5 L flush) will save 50 kL and $148 each year on water bills.

It’s extremely rare for a meter to malfunction and read high; they are more likely to slow down with age. A high reading is almost always due to a leak or increased usage.

While it varies by state and usage, an average family of four can expect to see a quarterly water bill between $200 and $400. The Northern Territory reported the lowest average water bills at $180 per quarter, while respondents in the Australian Capital Territory reported the highest average at $244 each quarter.

The cost of 1000 litres (1 kilolitre) varies significantly by region, but typically ranges from $2.00 to $4.50 in Australia. Check your latest bill for your specific rate.

The path to lower water bills starts with a simple five-minute leak check. Once you’ve ruled out hidden leaks, focus on the high-impact changes: shorter showers, water-efficient fixtures, and running only full loads. Remember, Australia uses more water per person than most other countries in the world, so there’s plenty of room for improvement.

Start with the toilet dye test right now – it could save you hundreds of dollars this year. Then, time your next shower and see if you can shave off a minute or two. Small changes add up to significant savings, both for your wallet and for Australia’s precious water resources.