Fremantle smashes water saving target

The City of Fremantle’s efforts to reduce water consumption have been so successful the City has beaten its water saving target by more than double.  

The City’s Water Conservation Strategy was adopted by the council in 2014. Since then the City has achieved Gold Waterwise Council status and Waterwise Aquatic Centre status.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said the Water Conservation Strategy had been a stunning success.

“Over the past 40 years rainfall in the South West of WA has reduced by 20 per cent and run-off into our dams has reduced by more than 80 per cent, so saving water is more important than ever,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“Our target back in 2014 when we adopted the strategy was to reduce the City’s scheme water and groundwater consumption by 10 per cent by 2022, but we’ve already reduced our scheme water use by 20 per cent.

“We’ve achieved this outstanding result by adopting best practice water saving and efficiency measures, such as using waterwise plants and ‘hydro zoning’ in all of the City’s parks and gardens.

“We’ve also rolled out irrigation upgrades at sporting grounds, installed soil moisture sensors in turfed areas and changed the way we look after turf to improve the efficiency of groundwater use.

“Another big change has been the use of real time water-use monitors at City facilities, which means we can detect leaks early and get them fixed quickly.

“As well as the reduction in the City’s water use there’s also been a reduction in the community’s scheme water use of more than five per cent, which is another excellent result.

“Looking ahead we’re installing water efficient fixtures in the new Walyalup Civic Centre and we’re redesigning the irrigation system at the Fremantle Public Golf Course, which will result in even greater water savings.”

Last week Fremantle Council noted the progress made by the City and the residents of the City of Fremantle in the area of water conservation over the past six years and adopted a new Water Conservation and Efficiency Plan for 2020-2025.

The new plan sets a target of a further 10 per cent reduction in corporate scheme water use.

The council also recognised the need to comprehensively review water management and conservation strategies prior to preparing an updated plan for 2025-2030, taking into account alternative water sources, new technologies and the impact of climate change on environmental water uses.