State’s Waterwise Councils Earn Top Accolades
Stormwater recycling and the use of smart irrigation systems have helped the City of Perth claim special honours at a Water Corporation event celebrating Western Australia’s top waterwise councils.
The City was among five councils recognised today for its participation in the Waterwise Council Program, which supports local governments in the efficient use of precious water resources.
Recent water-saving initiatives in the CBD included an expanded project to capture and reuse stormwater runoff for irrigating parks and public open spaces.
Known as stormwater harvesting, the project yielded 60 million litres of water in 2023-24 – equivalent to 26 Olympic-sized swimming pools – and helped the City reduce its reliance on groundwater by nearly 30 per cent.
Other initiatives included sophisticated irrigation systems which analyse soil moisture levels to avoid overwatering, as well as greater use of native, waterwise plants.
A record 47 local governments are now endorsed under the Waterwise Council Programs, which is jointly administered by Water Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
The program’s newest waterwise council – the Shire of Ashburton – was also recognised at today’s event, along with the Cities of Armadale and Nedlands and Shire of Capel which each earned gold endorsement for the first time.
Special mention was also reserved for the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, which claimed the Platinum Waterwise Aquatic Centre of the Year under the Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program.
Created in partnership with the Leisure Institute of WA, the Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program has helped 58 aquatic centres State-wide achieve endorsement since 2008.
For more information, visit www.watercorporation.com.au/Waterwise/Waterwise-programs
The Waterwise Council and Waterwise Aquatic Centre Programs support the WA Government’s Kep Katitjin-Gabi Kaadadjan (Waterwise Action Plan 3) to establish leading waterwise communities for Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) by 2030.
As stated by Water Minister Don Punch:
“Being waterwise is a shared responsibility, which is why it’s great to see local government leading from the front when it comes to supporting collective water security across Western Australia.
“The Waterwise Council and Leisure Centre Programs are excellent examples of what can be achieved when we prioritise collaboration and innovation in our everyday work.
“I would like to congratulate all those who, by participating in these programs, demonstrate their commitment to operating sustainably.”
Waterwise Council Program
Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/Waterwise-accolades-flow-for-State