Newrooftop weather stations and smart irrigation controllers have been installedin 40 Darwin schools, as part of the new Weather Web program that aims to save120 million litres of water annually.
Thewater savings across the community may have a significant impact on our watersupply levels.
Theinformation from Weather Web allows users to access live weather informationthat is localised to their suburb. Information includes rainfall, temperature,wind and humidity. The localised information will enable schools and householdsto irrigate their properties appropriately and responsibly.
The Weather Web program was developed in response toPower & Waters research which found that almost 60 per cent of householdwater use in the average Darwin region home is in the garden, with most peopleoverwatering without realising it. Most irrigation systems are set to run acertain number of days of the week for a set duration, no matter how much rainthere has been over that time or if the temperature drops.
The information from Weather Web works inconjunction with the new smart irrigation controllers which can automaticallycontrol and adjust the amount of water that gardens receive based on real-timeweather data via a Wi-Fi connection.
Weather Web can also be used without smartirrigation controllers as it can help the community better understand the linkbetween rainfall and watering, as well as provide live weather information.
As stated by Minister for Renewables,Energy & Essential Services, Dale Wakefield
"Water is a precious resource and theTerritory Labor Government is managing it responsibly to ensure itssustainability. Through the Weather Web program, we can substantially make water savings whichwill have a positive impact on our water supply levels.
The Weather Web program will be accessible to thewider community, which includes councils and government departments to betterinform their watering schedules at parks, ovals, verges, and other publicplaces.
The success of the Weather Web program canpotentially save 120 million litres of water annually.
