How Living in Bali Changed the Way We Think About Water and Sustainability

June 12, 2025

This past year of living in Bali has changed us in a lot of ways — one of the biggest has been how we think about our impact on the environment, especially when it comes to water. 🌏💧 Bali is a place of incredible natural beauty, but it’s also an island with real environmental challenges. One of those challenges is water. While we did have a wetter-than-usual wet season this year (and trust me, we felt every drop of it!), that doesn’t mean water here is unlimited. In fact,Bali has been facing growing water shortages over the past decade, with rising demand, tourism, and changing weather patterns putting increasing pressure on local water supplies. So we’ve been slowly but surely trying to do our part at home — making small, conscious changes to be more “green” in our everyday life. 💦 We’ve shortened our showers and switched to water-saving shower heads. 💦 We collect rainwater where we can to water our plants and garden. 💦 We are reusing pool towels before they hit the wash, stretching it out when we can. 💦 We use grey water from washing produce or dishes to water the plants. These are little shifts — nothing groundbreaking — but added together, they make a difference. And more importantly, they’ve started conversations in our home with the kids about how precious water really is. It’s easy to forget how lucky we were in Australia to turn on a tap and not think twice. But here, seeing the rice fields dry out in the wrong season, or hearing locals talk about water trucks needing to refill village tanks, it hits different. We’re learning (and unlearning) every day. Living in Bali has made us feel more connected to the environment around us — the rhythms of the seasons, the needs of the land, and the impact we have, even in the smallest choices. We’re far from perfect, but we’re committed to doing better. For our kids, for this island we love, and for the future. If you’re living in Bali or planning to visit — take a moment to think about your water usage. Every drop counts. 💚 #WaterWiseBali #GreenLiving #BaliWithKids #ConsciousTravel #WaterConservation #SustainableLiving #BaliLife #SmallStepsBigChange #ChadAndMia #BaliFamilyFinds

Living in Bali this past year opened our eyes in a big way. Sure, we came for the natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle, but what we didn’t expect was how much it would shift our mindset—especially around water and sustainability. 💧🌿 Even though this year’s wet season was extra soggy (cue buckets of rain and soggy flip-flops!), Bali continues to struggle with water shortages. The growing demand from tourism, shifting weather patterns, and local agricultural needs have put serious pressure on the island’s water resources. So as a family, we’ve been making small, mindful changes at home: 💦 Installing water-saving shower heads and keeping showers short. 💦 Reusing pool towels and waiting a little longer between laundry loads. 💦 Collecting rainwater to hydrate our garden. 💦 Repurposing rinse water from fruits, veggies, or dishes for our plants. Individually, these seem minor—but together, they help. More than that, they sparked important family conversations about how precious water actually is. In Australia, we rarely gave it a second thought. Here in Bali, watching the rice paddies crack in the dry season or seeing families rely on water trucks hits a little closer to home. We’re not perfect, but we’re learning. Some days we forget, and some days we get it right. What matters is the effort—and the awareness that even small choices ripple outwards. If you’re planning a trip to Bali or living here with your family, take a moment to think about how you use water. Talk to your kids. Turn off the tap a little sooner. Every drop really does make a difference. For our family, for this beautiful island, and for the future 🌏🙏 #WaterWiseBali #SustainableTravel #BaliWithKids #EcoFamilyTips #ConsciousTravel #GreenParenting #SmallStepsBigChange