Water-saving offers available to Great Southern towns

Water Minister Dave Kelly has encouraged Great Southern residents to take advantage of free waterwise offers available as part of Water Corporation's 2022-23 Waterwise Towns Program.

The annual program was created to make it easier for regional Western Australians to use water more efficiently and save money on bills by making waterwise changes around the home.

Participating towns this year include Cranbrook, Gnowangerup, Hopetoun, Jerramungup, Kondinin, Kulin, Lake Grace, Newdegate, Nyabing, Pingrup, Ravensthorpe, Walpole and Wellstead, with residents eligible for a free showerhead swap and rainwater tank rebate.

The Showerhead Swap Program allows residents to replace up to two inefficient showerheads with waterwise alternatives, helping save up to 20,000 litres of water per household each year. In 2021-22, 108 Great Southern households made the switch, saving 2.1 million litres of water.

The rainwater tank rebate will support residents by providing up to $1,000 to purchase a new rainwater tank, or up to $500 to plumb in or replace an existing rainwater tank.

Since 2013-14, the State-wide Waterwise Towns Program has saved an estimated 1.7 billion litres of precious water - equivalent to 756 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Offers are available to participating towns until 31 May 2023 or until stocks last.

For more details or to view local offers, visit http://www.watercorporation.com.au/waterwiseoffers

As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"The Great Southern remains one of the areas most impacted by climate change anywhere in the world.

"While this year's winter rainfall has been very welcome, average rainfall throughout the region has been steadily declining since the 1970s as a result of climate change.

"In 2021-22, Great Southern residents saved 8.5 million litres of water through free waterwise offers like showerhead swap and rainwater tank rebates.

"As the State Government, through Water Corporation, continues to investigate new water source options to secure a water future for regional WA towns, small waterwise actions from the community are also important."

As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Shelley Payne:

"Rainwater tanks plumbed into homes are an effective way to reduce scheme water use in the Great Southern. 

"I encourage Great Southern residents to apply for this year's offers to continue supporting efforts towards a more waterwise community."