The Kalgoorlie-Boulder community is set to save millions of litres of precious drinking water and save money on their water bills through a Waterwise Towns Program starting soon.
A joint initiative of the State Government, through the Water Corporation and the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the Waterwise Towns Program will provide a number of strategies and tools to encourage and support the community to achieve a sustainable reduction in water use.
This will include a targeted education program to show residents how to get the most out of their smart meters installed in homes in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, as well as a free showerhead swap program. It is expected the Waterwise Towns Program will save up to 190 million litres of water over three years - that is equivalent to 4,523 backyard swimming pools.
Households will be able to swap up to two old showerheads for water-efficient ones at no cost, by taking old showerheads and a copy of a recent Water Corporation bill to selected locations. One water efficient showerhead can save up to 20,000 litres of water a year.
Residents will also receive advice and tips on how to reduce water use both inside and outside the home, including how to check for leaks and more efficiently run evaporative air conditioners.
A Waterwise Taskforce will also be formed with the Water Corporation, City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, local community members and business leaders involved to ensure the program is delivered in the most effective way possible, and caters for local conditions.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder residents will be advised of the full range of water-saving options available in the Waterwise program once the taskforce determines what will help the community the most.
Households can also access water saving information and tips online at http://www.watercorporation.com.au/save-water
As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:
"The McGowan Government is working with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder to deliver this important water saving program to their residents and businesses.
"It is crucial we all take responsibility for our water use as climate change continues to impact the amount of rainfall we receive.
"Small changes can make a big difference in saving precious drinking water supplies and making savings on our water bills.
"I encourage people to take part in the program to help save precious water and help make Kalgoorlie-Boulder an even better place to live."
As stated by Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Kyle McGinn:
"Proactively reducing our individual water usage makes a big overall impact in our communities.
"The showerhead swap program has worked really well in the Goldfields before, and I am glad to see its reintroduction from the McGowan Labor Government.
"We all need to do our bit to consider our environmental footprint and how we can reduce our impact on the planet. These initiatives will certainly make it easier for us all as individuals to do that in terms of water use."
