Saving water
There are a number of environmental and economic benefits of water conservation.
Some ways to save water include:
- Buying water efficient appliances, including water efficient shower heads, flow restrictors on taps and dual flush toilets
- Watching when and how much water is used on the garden
- Taking quick showers
- Install a rain water tank to collect water for the garden or flushing your toilet
- Use a broom to clean driveways and footpaths not a hose
- Install a water efficient showerhead. You can exchange your old showerhead for a water efficient one for free at Council's Corporate Centre or any of Bayside's libraries.
Rainwater tanks
Thinking about installing a rainwater tank? In some cases a planning permit is needed to install a rainwater tank.
Stormwater
Protection of Bayside's patch of Port Phillip Bay, starts at home and work, doing our best to prevent litter, sediment and chemicals flowing into storm water. Bayside has a stormwater system that is designed to take rainwater from our streets and guttering into the closest waterway.
Unlike sewage, stormwater is not highly treated before it enters waterways, and it can become polluted by litter, chemical run-off and sediment as it travels toward Port Phillip Bay.
For more information visit the EPA website. Protection of waterways largely depends upon improved management of pollution carried by stormwater. Bayside City Council has a comprehensive stormwater management plan that is guiding a range of works and activities for improving stormwater quality.
Bayside is a leader in the management of stormwater, being one of the first councils to install Gross Pollutant Traps in in drains discharging to the bay.
To find out more about what Bayside City Council is doing read the 
Bayside Stormwater Management Plan (PDF, 794KB).
Greywater use
Greywater collected from your bathroom sink, bath and/or shower, or your washing machine can be used to replace the use of drinking water for things such as watering garden beds (not vegetable gardens) and/or the lawn, or for flushing the toilet.
There are health and environmental issues to consider when using greywater.
Find out about more from the How to use greywater information sheet (PDF, 58KB).
Useful links
Page last updated: 22 Nov 2010