An additional 50,000 free showerheads will be given to Melbourne households by the end of 2010 as part on an extension of the successful showerhead exchange program.

The additional showerheads were a major boost to the program which had already seen 350,000 free showerheads provided to Victorian households saving over 4 billion litres of water every year. 

Older style showerheads can use between 14 and 20 litres of water per minute, compared to a 3-star showerhead that uses only nine litres per minute. Showers should be kept to four minutes. Households, which use more than 60 per cent of Melbourne’s water, can save up to $60 a year on water and energy bills just by using a water efficient showerhead.

Melbourne used 132 litres per person per day over the last week. Since the Target 155 campaign began last December, the rolling average is 151 litres per person per day.

There are a range of exchange points right across Melbourne where people can get a showerhead including water authority offices, Australia Post outlets, local councils and at some shopping centres.

Households should contact their local water authority to register their interest in getting a free water efficient showerhead.