Hardware stores across Dubbo say they have experienced a rise in sales of grey water hoses since the Dubbo Regional Council has implemented tough water restrictions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dubbo residents have taken up the idea of using grey water on their gardens and lawns in an attempt to conserve several litres of water a day.
Operations manager Mitre Ten Dubbo Jane Ensor says there has been an influx of people looking to buy the hoses that connect to washing machines since level four water restrictions started.
"Most definitely we have had an increase in sales of grey water hoses recently," she said.
"That all comes down to the community being water conscious."
Ms Ensor said it was clear what has motivated the influx of people buying the hoses, but many did not know the proper way to use them.
"We advise them on the best way to use them," she said.
"If you buy a hose, you should make sure it is run on a slope, the last thing we want to see is someone buy the hoses, and they don't work to their maximum effect. Gravity has to do most of the work."
Ms Ensor said the increase in sales was purely due to the drought and not any substantial discounts.
"We are selling our hoses at a reasonable everyday price, so they increase in sales is not due to any significant discounts we put on the product," she said.
"People want to do the right thing and conserve water, that's why they are buying them.
"We must do as much as possible to get the water conservation message out to the public, and that's why we are working with the council, who asked us if we could put water-saving brochures up at the point of sale, it makes sense to do that."
Dubbo Regional Council mayor Ben Shields said he was more than happy to collaborate with Mitre Ten to get the water-wise message to the public.
"There is no silver bullet way of approaching the problem, but the council must adopt a multifaceted approach and having brochures in hardware stores is one of those ways we can be practical about it," he said.
"Knowing that the message is at the spot where people are ready to buy is good because although most people know we are in the worst drought on record, the message needs to be there as they are ready to buy.
"I am happy that the hoses are being bought in big numbers, but we still have a long way to go.
"Again, this week, we are above our water-saving targets, and we all need to do better, and we can do better.
"I understand that Dubbo has never had restrictions this tough before, but we also need to understand we have never had a drought this tough before either."
WHAT DO YOU THINK? HAVE YOUR SAY