KEY POINTS:
Flushing the loo using rainwater is one move residents in West Auckland are making to become more environmentally friendly.
Residents from Waitakere City are being encouraged by their local council to install rainwater tanks at their homes to reduce consumption of mains water - particularly during winter.
Rainwater channelled from the roof of a house to a water tank helps households to save water and money.
Water-efficient shower heads, washing machines and toilets are also being promoted by the council as people gradually make moves to cut water use, Waitakere City Council public affairs adviser Frances Harrison said.
"Increasingly people are having to rethink how they prioritise their energy use in the home."
She said the council would be moving to multifaceted energy- and water-efficient schemes, including solar water heating.
"Even saving rainwater gives people a great sense of doing their bit, and saving without compromising the way we live," Ms Harrison said.
Less than 5 per cent of water used in the home was needed for drinking - and rainwater was the smart and more efficient choice for laundry use and flushing the toilet.
Waitakere City Council's drive to get more residents to install rainwater tanks comes as it aims to achieve a 25 per cent reduction in water use.
It would also be cheaper than the estimated $350 million needed to build another dam.
It is hoped that slimmer tanks, at a discounted price, and council waiving the building consent fee will encourage more people to install them.
Devan Group, which has been working with the council to provide residential water tanks, began selling the Slimline S1000 last year.
Seven tanks have been installed by Waitakere residents.
