Seven Albany schools are aiming to save an impressive 2.6 million litres of precious drinking water each year – equivalent to 62 backyard swimming pools – as part of a WA Government program.
Coinciding with National Water Week, the initiative highlights how local schools are leading the way in water conservation and helping spread the waterwise message throughout their communities.
The five primary schools and two high schools all took part in a waterwise audit which examined water use and identified areas for improvement.
“It’s fantastic to see local schools pitching in to reduce water use and making sure the waterwise message is known by students,” said Samantha Rowe, MLC.
“Water is such a precious resource across WA, and we all have a role in ensuring it remains for future generations.”
As part of the initiative, water-efficient fixtures such as dual-flush toilets and time flow taps were installed to help prevent accidental water wastage.
The upgrades were delivered through Water Corporation’s Waterwise Towns Program, which also provides offers and rebates to customers in eligible regional communities.
Offers are tailored to individual towns and, depending on location, include free waterwise showerheads, as well as rebates for installing rainwater tanks, replacing single-flush toilets, and using an approved garden irrigator to fix leaking reticulation.
These free offers and rebates are available until 31 May 2026.
The WA Government says being waterwise is especially important in the Great Southern, where winter rainfall has dropped 16% since 1968. Modelling predicts a further 21% decline annually by 2050.
“Despite a wet winter, rainfall across the Great Southern has, and will continue to, decline over the long term,” said Water Minister, Don Punch.
“By 2050, we’ll need an extra 1.8 billion litres of drinking water each year to support community growth and unlock new economic opportunities.
“Desalination will need to form part of the region’s longer-term water supply, however, it doesn’t mean we can get complacent when it comes to saving water. We all need to play our part in securing our water future.”
