Member for Ginninderra, Mary Porter, has launched the ACT Government’s Great Greywater Hose Give-away Program, a program to distribute 10,000 greywater hoses, free-of-charge to ACT residents.
“This is part of a new initiative under the ACT Government’s Think water, act water strategy. The strategy aims to reduce Canberra's per person water consumption by 12 per cent by 2013 and 25 per cent by 2023 and increase waste water reuse from 5 per cent to 20 per cent by 2013,” Ms Porter said.
“ACT residents who are interested in reusing the wastewater from their washing machines as an alternative source of water for their gardens can take advantage of this program and obtain a free, ten-metre greywater diversion hose from Magnet Mart stores in the ACT.
“Using greywater from the laundry on our gardens instead of water from our mains water system, makes an important contribution towards conserving our precious water supplies.
“The amount of greywater produced in your laundry depends on how much water your washing machine uses and how many loads of washing you do a week. It is estimated that around 31,000 litres of greywater are produced per year from the average Canberra household.
“While the rinse cycle water is better quality than the wash cycle water, if you use biodegradable, low salt, phosphorus-free laundry detergent, the wash and rinse cycle water are both suitable for use in the garden, provided you follow some simple rules for its safe use. When you receive your free greywater hose, you will also receive an information sheet with advice about how to use greywater safely around the home” Ms Porter continued.
The free hose can be claimed by completing a registration form and presenting an ACT driver’s license or recent utility bill (e.g. gas, water or electricity) at any of the ACT Magnet Mart Home Warehouses at Gungahlin, Belconnen or Phillip.
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