Forward-Thinking Water Conservation Project Results in Platinum Award

Published on 11 May 2023

It was a rewarding moment for the Town of Cambridge earlier this month when it was recognised as one of the State’s leading Waterwise councils.

The Town took out the coveted Platinum Waterwise Council of the Year Award for innovation in reducing water consumption and improving efficiency at a special awards ceremony held on Thursday, 4 May.

One stand-out water-saving innovation launched by the Town earlier this year is its $3 million Perry Lakes Replenishment Project.

The forward-thinking project recovers fresh stormwater, previously discharged to the ocean through the Herdsman Main Drain, and now redirects it to Perry Lakes to recharge groundwater levels and replenish two lakes at the treasured nature reserve.

On average, about 4.7 megalitres of stormwater is diverted to Perry Lakes each day and over the course of a year, the replenishment scheme is set to redirect more than 680 Olympic-sized swimming pools to the lakes.

Mayor Keri Shannon said receiving the Platinum Waterwise Award represented the Town’s ongoing efforts to innovate as well as improve existing processes to conserve water.

“In 2022, we received gold Waterwise endorsement and to be named a Platinum Waterwise Council of the Year this year really reinforces that we are making inroads into water conservation at a local government level,” Mayor Shannon said.    

“The Perry Lakes replenishment project not only conserves water resources otherwise lost to the ocean, but also supports the recharge of groundwater levels in the aquifer, so it’s a win for the environment and a win for the community.”

Water Corporation General Manager Customer and Community Karen Willis said it was fantastic to see local governments and businesses doing their bit to conserve WA’s water resources.

“Water efficiency is a shared responsibility across the community – whether in our homes, workplaces and across all levels of government. As our climate continues to change, it’s up to all of us to ensure we use water wisely,” she said.

The Town of Cambridge was one of just two metropolitan councils to receive a Platinum Waterwise Council of the Year Award at this year’s ceremony.

Image courtesy of the Water Corporation