WA water industry recognised for saving billions of litres

WA Water Minister Dave Kelly has recognised the top savers in the Water Corporation’s non-residential water-saving programs — Waterwise Business, Waterwise Office and Waterwise Development. Together, the 316 program participants helped save 11 billion litres of water in 2016–17.

The Waterwise Business Program assists non-residential customers, using more than 20 million litres of scheme water each year, to save water. The Carnamah Recreation Centre received top honours in the Waterwise Business Program, with a Platinum recognition for reducing its water use by more than 50% since it joined the program a decade ago.

The Waterwise Office Program is a partnership between the Water Corporation, Property Council of Australia and City of Perth, and helps office building owners and managers to save water. GDI Property Group, which operates 197 St Georges Terrace, achieved a Platinum recognition in the Waterwise Office Program.

The Waterwise Development Program is a partnership between the Water Corporation and the Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA Division) EnviroDevelopment Program. This program recognises the importance of designing water-sensitive and livable homes and communities.

Two newly endorsed LandCorp projects were recognised — Shoreline in North Coogee and the Rockingham Industrial Zone, which is the first non-residential development to join the program.

Initiatives implemented at Shoreline at North Coogee include establishing native plants and hydrozoning gardens, and installing water-wise fixtures and sub-meters at apartments to help residents track and save water. Meanwhile, tenants at the Rockingham Industry Zone are estimated to use 80% less scheme water compared to standard industrial developments by using stormwater and rainwater tanks as a source of supply.

“Through these programs more than 83 billion litres of water — about 36,889 Olympic swimming pools — has been saved since 2007, when the first program began,” Kelly said.

“It is great to see such a wide variety of industries participate in these programs and their commitment to saving water. Some have been part of a water-saving program for almost a decade, and it is encouraging to see them continue to explore new and innovative ways to save water.

“Ensuring the protection of our state’s most precious resource for the long term is the responsibility of everyone, particularly as climate change continues to impact our rainfall levels.”

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/mohamed sadath