Water warriors

I've got to admit that I'm one of those anal types who NEVER leaves the tap running while brushing my teeth, and feels seriously worried about what sort of salty trickles we'll have left for our children's children to drink. So many people I know openly flout water restrictions, which really makes me feel sad and panicky - responsible water consumption is a community responsibility. This week, I found a tiny way to help this mammoth problem.

BioZet is an environmentally-friendly washing powder which is committed to environmental sustainability. They recently conducted a household study on water conservation, which seems to yield some promising stats for the future:

* 93% are willing to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth (this saves about two buckets of water for each minute the tap is left running)
* 80% would plant drought tolerant/low water consuming plants in their garden
* 66% would change from a water guzzling top-loader washing machine to a more eco-friendly front-loader
* 61% would invest in a grey water system, which recycles waste water from baths, showers and the laundry rinse cycle for use in gardens and other domestic areas
* 38% would share a shower/bath with another family member

BioZet has a very low sodium content (especially in comparison to other leading brands on the market) making it ideal for grey water or septic systems; it's also free from phosphorus, which can be harmful to plants and soil. BioZet's brand ambassador, horticulturist and television personality Jody Rigby, says: "There are many easy ways you can conserve and reuse water around your garden and household."

She continues, "Using greener household products like BioZet around the home is an easy way to for us to tackle environmental issues with our own family. Making better product choices is a smart way to keep our homes greener and to let the government know we are serious about the environment." Here are three of her top water-smart tips:

* When watering your garden, remember longer infrequent soakings are far better than shallow, frequent sprinkles. This encourages a deeper root system in your plants and greater drought resistance.

* Soak pot plants for a few minutes in a sink or bucket of water. The water will soak in, push out trapped air in the soil so your plants will be healthier and you use less water.

* Plant species with similar water needs in the same area of the garden. That way you know how much to water them and there is no need to over-water the plants that need less.

Ever wondered how green your washing is? Check out BioZet's online calculator - it works out your laundry's eco footprint by assessing how much sodium and phosphorus your household is producing each year, with eco tips to boot.
Visit www.thegreenercleaner.com.au