Water isn't free. These days, you pay for the water you use. This doesn't incorporate the environmental costs to the natural catchments where we take water, or send it back after we have dirtied it.

Water use …

While we do not yet have a water shortage problem in the Newcastle/Lower Hunter area, more dams might be needed to service likely population growth, unless we can work with the community to reduce water use.

Less than 1% of domestic water supply is used for drinking, whilst 50 - 70% is used for low-grade uses including outdoor, toilet and laundry uses (as in Household Water Use diagram below). Little stormwater or wastewater is re-used in Newcastle.

What can I do to be water smart around the home?

By using water sensibly, installing a rainwater tank or water efficiency devices, you can reduce the amount of treated mains drinking water that you use and help protect the environment.

Managing the water that falls on your property can also be an effective way to use water more efficiently and protect our natural creeks from excess runoff.

You can also work out how to be water smart by using the WaterSmart Homes information package to change your impact on our waterways!

The package includes information and guidelines for householders, renovators and builders on:

 WaterSmart Homes (391kb)

 Site Planning (225kb)

 Drainage Design (349kb)

 Rainwater Tanks (400kb)

 Infiltration Devices (558kb)

 Paving (656kb)

 Landscaping Measures (408kb)

 Landscape Practices (721kb)

 Greywater Re-use (300kb)

 Composting toilets (250kb)

The WaterSmart package was developed as part of a cooperative effort by Lower Hunter and Central Coast Councils through the Regional Environmental Management Strategy (LHCCREM ).

Hunter Water also has a number of fact sheets and great tips on how to save water and care for our waterways.

Please Note: In the case of any inconsistancy between documents from other parties quoted or referenced in this web site and Council adopted policies, planning instruments or other documents, the Council requirements and/ or documents will take precedence.