HOUSEHOLDS can save enough water to fill a semitrailer fuel tanker each year if they take advantage of a free retrofit service by Orange City Council.
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For the next three months every house in the city can have licensed plumbers arrive at their home to install free water-efficient showerheads, tap aerators and cistern weights.
The program is being coordinated by council in a bid to slash residential consumption, mayor John Davis said yesterday.
Until now residents have had to exchange showerheads at the Orange Civic Centre but can now sit back and relax while qualified plumbers do the hard work for them.
“Residents have done well reducing consumption off their own bat, this mobile scheme will give them the tools to go a step further,” Cr Davis said.
“Efficient showerheads can halve your water usage in the shower.”
The installation of a 3-star rated showerhead saves an average home 21,000 litres a year and $100 in water and energy costs.
“Saving money is one thing but we need to get people using less water so that’s where our priority is with this,” technical services director Chris Devitt said.
Mr Devitt said residents need to contact council and provide their details, and they will be contacted to book a time for the installation.
Council staff will also undertake an audit to determine where further savings can be made and if there are any leaks on the property.
“We’ve already been around to 140 houses so far, that’s largely from people coming into council to talk about restrictions,” Mr Devitt said.
Homeowners keen to save water but want to keep existing showerheads because they match other fittings can have a shower flow restrictor installed, which reduces the flow without affecting the shower’s pressure.
Renters must obtain the property owner’s permission before booking an appointment with council’s roaming retrofit team, Cr Davis said.
Contact council on 6393 8000 to make a booking.
