Making every drop count at home

Community members are being encouraged to make every drop count, to help reduce demand and protect water storages during dry conditions.

After ending 2025 at the lowest level at that time of year since 2009, Geelong’s storages have further slid, sitting at 39.5% on 23 February.

There is increased pressure on most Victorian water storages, with the statewide average about 17% lower than mid-February 2025.

Barwon Water Managing Director Shaun Cumming encouraged households and businesses to use water wisely and consider the collective impact that small actions can make.

“Everything that makes our region a great place to live and visit, depends on a healthy, safe and reliable water supply,” Mr Cumming said.

“We can all make a difference by making simple changes, such as taking shorter showers, washing clothes and dishes with full loads, and not watering the garden in the heat of the day.

“While we continue to invest in increasing the capacity of our system, small actions in our households all add up and help keep our water storages sustainable. If we each do a little, collectively we can achieve a lot.”

Permanent Water Saving Rules – like using a trigger nozzle on your hose when watering gardens or washing cars and watering in the cool periods of the day – are in place in the Barwon region. www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/pwsr

For the full range of Barwon Water’s water-saving rebates, programs and tips, visit www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/saving-water

More water-saving tips and information can be found at www.makeeverydropcount.com.au

Tips for saving water at home:

• Take shorter showers. Aim for 4 minutes and save an average of 27 litres
• Use the half-flush, to save 3 litres per use of the toilet
• Brush your teeth with the tap off, to save 5 litres per minute
• Use garden sprinklers before 10am or after 6pm, to avoid water loss to evaporation
• Clean hard surfaces with a broom