Story Title: Waterwise Council Program
Episode: Five
Date: November 1st 2009
Presenter: Chris Ferreira

Councils have long been under pressure when it comes to water use. Chris investigates the new council accreditation that ensures waterwise principles and practices are used.

Quick Facts

• Rainfall in the SW has dropped by 30% since the 1970’s and we continue to be bombarded with shocking images of thirsty dams and drought ravaged rural areas.
• Fortunately the Water Corporation and the Dept of Water have been busy forming a diverse strategy to sure up our water future.

Waterwise Council Program

• This exciting new program partners innovative local Councils with the the Water Corporation, The Dept of Water and ICLEI - to promote sound water management and significantly improve their water efficiency.
• Participating Councils not only save a whole heap of water and money but they will also stamp themselves as a real leader -embracing vital water efficiency and sustainability measures.
• The Waterise Council program is open to all councils within WA but it is recommended that first they are participants in the govt funded ICLEI water campaign which provides an internationally recognised step by step milestone framework to improve water efficiency and management.
• Already a large number of urban and rural councils have joined this program covering more than 70% of the WA population!

Featured Waterwise Council- City of Perth

• On 27 January 2004 the Council endorsed the City of Perth’s participation in the Water Campaign.
• Since joining the Water Campaign the City has been formally recognised as a Waterwise Council
• The City of Perth was awarded as one of the first Waterwise Councils on 3 June 2009. 

Becoming a Waterwise Council

• Participate in the ICLEI Water Campaign™, achieve Milestones 1 to 3 (Community or Corporate modules). If a council is not participating in the Water Campaign™ equivalent criteria are applicable.
• Milestone 1: complete an inventory of water consumption and a water quality practices gap analysis;

Milestone 2: set goals to improve water management;
Milestone 3: develop a local action plan that defines the strategic direction and the actions council will take to achieve the goals;

• Ensure that appropriate staff members attend a waterwise training course on waterwise gardening and irrigation and on internal auditing;
• Review the value and use of water for grounds and public open space, adhere to the government’s state-wide permanent water efficiency measures, where required (metropolitan councils and identified priority country councils), a water conservation plan has to be completed and submitted to the Department of Water and ensure there have been no prosecutions for breaching any abstraction limit set by the Department;
• Demonstrate substantial progress within 18 months towards implementation of actions; and include reporting on water efficiency targets and performance in the council’s annual report.

More details are available by visiting the Water Corporation www.watercorporation.com.au or the Department of Water www.water.wa.gov.au

Contact
Water Corporation
629 Newcastle Street
Leederville  WA  6007
Contact Us
www.watercorporation.com.au