Waterwise Councils
The Waterwise Council program helps councils in Western Australia adhere to the State Government's water efficiency measures and further encourages improved water use management at a corporate and community level.
The State Government recognises that many councils have already demonstrated improvements in water efficiency.
For some councils the program will be a formalisation of the good work they are already doing and for others it will provide a platform for improvement.
Metropolitan Waterwise Councils:
City of Belmont
City of Joondalup
City of Melville
City of Nedlands
City of Subiaco
City of Perth
City of South Perth
Shire of Kalamunda
Shire of Mundaring
Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale
Town of Cambridge
Town of Cottesloe
Town of Kwinana
Town of Mosman Park
Regional Waterwise Councils:
City of Mandurah
Shire of Augusta-Margaret River
Shire of Ashburton
Shire of Capel
For more information about the Waterwise Councils program email Water Corporation at water.efficiency@watercorporation.com.au or Department of Water at waterefficiency@water.wa.gov.au
Online Waterwise Auditing Training
The Water Corporation has recently launched a new online Waterwise Auditing training module for participants of the Waterwise Council program. This course covers the process of internal water auditing, what is required and why, plus the terminology frequently used. It also covers the basics on how to conduct an audit of your own business to determine water savings and how to develop a recommendation plan.
Upon completing this course, participants will have sufficient water auditing skills to analyse and report on water use at simple, non-residential sites.
Case studies
Councils hold a distinctive position in the commuity and as such can be leaders in water efficiency. The way in which a council operates their water resources and communicates the 'waterwise' message can have a real, positive impact on water use.
Below are examples of how some councils are implementing water efficiency initiatives.
The Grove
The Grove is a library and community centre in Peppermint Grove that was funded by the Shire of Peppermint Grove, Town of Cottesloe and Town of Mosman Park. The building incorporates every form of sustainable device and thinking imaginable. From onsite rainwater collection and wastewater recycling, to solar and wind onsite power generation, plus a waterwise landscape watered through stormwater harvest and yellow water which is separated from other waste by the toilets.
The water and energy efficiency initiatives installed at The Grove were supported by the Australian Government through the Green Precincts Program.
City of Mandurah - waterwise verge makeover program
The aim of the program is to offer free waterwise verge makeovers to residents in order to encourage community support for the need to change streetscapes from high water using turf to Waterwise gardens and in doing so put the nature back into the nature strip.
City of Joondalup - Reduction of water use for irrigation and hydrozoning
The City of Joondalup has demonstrated its commitment to conserving precious water resources through its participation in the Waterwise Council Program and ICLEI Oceania Water Campaign™. The City has implemented a number of measures over the past two years to reduce water consumption. The implementation of strategies, regular monitoring and keeping the community informed, has been critical in the City’s water conservation success to date.
Margaret River Water Recycling
Margaret River Water Recycling is a town wide scheme developed by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River that takes treated water from the Water Corporation’s Margaret River Waste Water Treatment Plant and uses it for irrigation of open space throughout Margaret River. It delivers significant environmental benefits utilising a waste product from the Water Corporation to replace water extraction from the Margaret River for irrigating open space.
Walkington Avenue Community Verge Garden Demonstration Project
Great benefits can be achieved from developing landscapes with low-water, or in some instances zero-water requirements by retrofitting residential verge areas. It is vital however that council determined specifications are understood and adhered to regarding approval, pedestrian access, plant selection and set-back specifications. A demonstration of how to implement this has been achieved by residents of Walkington Avenue. in the township of Margaret River. Residents have replaced a sprawling lawn area with deeply mulched gardens planted with local endemic native species.
