So, why do we need to save water in the Darwin region?
Good question! While it may rain a lot in the wet season, only a small percentage of this water actually falls in the Darwin River Dam and surrounding catchment area. Around two thirds of this water evaporates due to our climate, and we never know how much rain we are going to get from year to year. Our increasing population over the years has meant increases in our water use, and it might surprise you to know we currently use almost twice as much water as other cities with similar climates.
In Darwin we use more water than can be captured and supplied in the long term. While Darwin plans for the future, everyone needs to play their part to be water smart. Find out more by taking a journey through Darwin’s water story.
Here's what's happening in the water saving community
These are the three Rs of the Wet Season. Self-proclaimed tree hugger, Dan from Down 2 Earth Gardens and Landscapes , is a long time Territorian having arrived in the Top End in 1995. In 2008, Dan [...]
Many people think that Darwin has an endless supply of water, but this is a myth. We are currently using more water than can be captured and supplied in the long term. But our Dam can get close to [...]
Wet Season In the wet season, there is really only one irrigation rule of thumb.Turn it off when it rains! However, keep an eye on your garden and only water it if it looks really thirsty. Between [...]
Wish you had the time to make your garden more water efficient? Depending on the nature of your business, a high percentage of your water use is likely to be on lawns and gardens. Whether you are a [...]
When planning your garden, selecting plants that thrive in conditions that change from months of drought to months of heavy monsoonal rain is a must! Luckily, there are some beautiful options, that [...]
With a garden made up of exotics, natives and lawn, Kevin was able to use the Garden Tune Up to set a more water efficient schedule based on the needs of each plant type. "Our water bill was getting [...]
Ever wondered what your irrigation system is getting up to when you're not at home? Turns out Jackie's sprinklers weren't doing what they were supposed to and she was over watering. "The Garden Tune [...]
Living Water Smart's Garden Tune Up provides a free garden irrigation audit at your home or business by one of our registered irrigation experts. The irrigator will reprogram your irrigation controller to provide your garden with the water it needs, when it needs it. It also includes up to $50 of on-the-spot irrigation repairs.
During the Dry Season your lawns, garden beds and native plants have to deal with six to seven months of no rain at all, so it is important to know how to keep them healthy without over watering. When [...]
Whether you have a large commercial kitchen or a small tea room, it's worth conserving water. It will save you money and help Darwin save water! Here are some of our top tips for saving water in the [...]
Kate was able to use the Garden Tune Up rebate to help with her watering schedule and has saved $650 off her annual water bill! "It is so important to turn off your irrigation system come the wet [...]
Paul and his family have always been water conscious. "We only water the garden and grass every second day and regularly mulch and bark the garden to help retain water for our plants. We even go as [...]
21 June 2018 Year 7 students have presented their creative solutions to help influence and improve community water consumption in the Darwin region at the Darwin Water Expo at MacKillop Catholic [...]
1 May 2018 What do 2018's Cyclone Marcus and 2011’s Cyclone Carlos have in common? Practically nothing, if you are measuring the amount of rain that fell in the Darwin River Dam catchment area. With [...]