How many times a day do you reach for the tap?
Together with Smart Approved WaterMark – the leading one-stop-shop for water efficiency – Ballina Shire Council alongside Rous County Council are asking residents to sign up to Water Night to practice 'water mindfulness'.
Water Night is an Australian-wide water awareness event, held on Thursday 21st October 2021, during National Water Week.
The challenge is not to use taps, showers and running water from midday to midnight on Thursday 21st October. Use of water for drinking, hand hygiene, COVID-safety and religious reasons are of course exempt.
Ballina Shire Council's Acting Manager of Water and Wastewater, Belinda Fayle, says Water Night is a challenge the whole family can get involved in.
"It's perfect for all ages. It's a great way to teach children about how precious our water resources are, while also drawing attention to our own daily water consumption," said Ms Fayle.
"If we all see how often we reach for our taps and how subconsciously we do it, we will have a whole new perspective on how we use and save water."
Event ambassador Costa Georgiadis will be encouraging participants with a live Facebook appearance during Water Night on the topic of 'water mindfulness' and why it is important.
Resources for schools
Water Night is a great learning initiative for school students. Schools that register for Water Night can access a fantastic range of water sustainability resources including:
- Water sustainability facts and education tools to add to lessons and curriculum.
- Colouring sheets and activities.
- Home water efficiency audits for students to complete.
- A chance to win water efficiency packs for schools.
10 trees for every registration
For every registration from across the Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley local government areas, Rous County Council has committed to planting 10 trees (during planting season) in its water supply catchment area to improve water quality.
Rous County Council is the regional water supply authority providing water in bulk to the Council areas of Ballina (excluding Wardell), Byron (excluding Mullumbimby), Lismore (excluding Nimbin), and Richmond Valley (excluding land to the west of Coraki).
A great time to check your meter
Water Night also provides households with the perfect opportunity to check for water leaks at home. To check for a water leak:
- Turn off all taps at the property
- Record your water meter reading, paying particular attention to the red dials on the right which record litres
- Wait one hour without using any water at the property (all day or overnight provides a better result)
- Record the water meter reading again.
If the second reading is greater than the first reading, this would indicate a water leak, which should be investigated immediately. You may need to contact a plumber for further assistance.
There are many fantastic reasons to get involved in Water Night. To learn more and sign up today visit waternight.com.au
