- Water Corporation earns global recognition as a Climate Smart Utility
- Reflects leadership in climate adaptation, emissions reduction and sustainable water management
- Celebrates the expertise and commitment of workers delivering vital water services
- Around half of Perth's drinking water now comes from climate-resilient sources
Western Australia's approach to sustainable drinking water supply in a drying climate has earned global recognition, with Water Corporation named a Climate Smart Utility at the International Water Association's World Water Congress and Exhibition.
Announced in Glasgow, Scotland last week, the award places Water Corporation among a select group of 32 water utilities globally, and the first in Australia, to be recognised in the Achiever category for sustained action across climate adaptation, emissions reduction and waterwise leadership.
It highlights efforts to transform Western Australia's water supplies in response to rapid population growth and declining rainfall, which has seen an 80 per cent reduction in streamflow to southern dam in less than 50 years.
WA has led the nation in delivering climate-resilient sources including seawater desalination and groundwater replenishment.
Nearly half of Perth's drinking water now comes from desalination, with the Cook Labor Government making strong progress on a third job-creating major plant at Alkimos and smaller scale projects in regional WA, among use of other innovative technologies to better plan for the State's long term water sources.
Each year, Water Corporation supplies around 424 billion litres of drinking water and treats over 183 billion litres of wastewater, 21 per cent of which is recycled and byproducts beneficially reused.
Waterwise programs are also helping households, businesses, schools and local governments use water more efficiently, with per person residential water use in Perth falling by 32 per cent over the past 25 years.
As stated by Water Minister Daniel Pastorelli:
"Most Western Australians turn on a tap or flush a toilet without needing to think about the vast network of people, infrastructure and technology working around the clock behind the scenes.
"Supplying safe drinking water and managing wastewater in one of the world's most climate-exposed regions is an enormous responsibility, and this global recognition celebrates the expertise and commitment of those who deliver these vital services.
"Western Australia has responded to declining rainfall by thinking differently about where our water comes from, pioneering large-scale desalination and groundwater replenishment while helping the community use water wisely.
"The Cook Labor Government continues to invest in the sustainable, reliable water services needed to support new homes, strong communities and our State's long-term economic growth."
