New regional communities in Great Southern announced for Waterwise program

  • Denmark and Walpole households invited to participate in the 2019-20 Waterwise Towns Program
  • In 2018-19, the program saved more than 150 million litres of water
  • Climate change continues to reduce rainfall in the region
  • Water Minister Dave Kelly is encouraging residents in two Great Southern communities to save precious water by taking advantage of the State Government’s Waterwise Towns Program.

    Denmark and Walpole households are able to access water saving offers from the Water Corporation through the program.

    Water saving offers are suited to local conditions with Denmark households encouraged to take advantage of free showerhead swaps, comparative water use letters, an irrigation system check, plumbing retrofits and a rainwater tank rebate.

    Walpole household can participate in the free showerhead swap, irrigation system check and rainwater tank rebate initiatives.

    Up to two old showerheads can be replaced at no cost with water-efficient ones by taking the old showerheads and a copy of a recent Water Corporation bill to selected locations in each community.

    The dramatic impact of climate change in the Great Southern region has seen Denmark record three of the driest years on record since 2014, with this year also tracking to be one of the driest.

    With climate change drying up Denmark’s rainfall dependent water supply, the State Government has committed up to $39 million to secure Denmark’s water supply. The Waterwise Towns Program is part of that commitment.

    Other areas selected in the 2019-20 Waterwise Towns program include Port Hedland, South Hedland, Karratha, Halls Creek, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Wiluna, Dongara, Port Denison, Peppermint Grove Beach, Yallingup, Cowaramup and Margaret River.

    Offers through the Waterwise Towns Program are available from October 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 or until showerhead stocks last, and rainwater tank program funds have been expended.

    Last year, Mount Barker and Albany households participated in the program helping save 41 million litres of water – which is equivalent to more than 18 Olympic sized swimming pools.

    For more details and to see what offers are available in your community, visit https://www.watercorporation.com.au/waterwiseoffers

    As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:

    “I encourage households in these Great Southern regional communities to take advantage of this great initiative and help save precious water as climate change continues to be one of the biggest challenges we face.

    “Small changes can make a big difference. The simple act of swapping to a water-efficient showerhead can help save you about 20,000 litres of water a year.

    “Communities participating in last year’s Waterwise Towns Program together helped save an impressive 150 million litres of water or about 67 Olympic size swimming pools.

    “I am confident with everyone’s help we can achieve the same great results this year.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.