Children help deliver water-saving messages in Cairns

A collection of short videos featuring children sharing their water-wise ideas, such as turning the tap off when you brush your teeth, is being rolled out as part of National Water Week in Cairns, which runs from 21 to 27 October.

Making a splash around the country, National Water Week is about inspiring people, communities, and organisations to be conscious of the value of water.

This year’s National Water Week theme is Accelerating Action, which encourages people to take positive steps towards a sustainable water future.

Council has produced several short videos featuring children explaining how they conserve water.

The videos will be rolled out on social media platforms this week.

Cairns Libraries is also getting involved with a colouring competition (two categories, 3-5 years and 6-11 years), as well as two dedicated Storytime sessions for children aged 3-5 featuring books that encourage water savings.

The first session will be at Smithfield Library on Tuesday 22 October from 10am to 10.30am, and the second on Wednesday 23 October at the City Library from 10am to 10.30am.

This year’s National Water Week comes less than two months since work officially started on the $472 million Cairns Water Security Stage 1 Project, which is jointly funded by Council and the Australian and Queensland Governments.

Representing the biggest infrastructure project undertaken by Council, it will secure Cairns’ future water supply and includes a new water intake at the Mulgrave River.

The project is just one measure being implemented by Council to further bolster the region’s water security, which also includes the installation of smart meters and other water saving measures.

The installation of smart water meters is part of Council’s Water Demand Strategy 2016-2025, which aims to provide water savings of 10% over a 10-year period.

Council has now started work on renewal of its Water Demand Strategy.

Council has installed about 17,000 smart water meters across the Cairns region, with a further 38,000 meters to be rollout out.

The meters can assist residents in identifying hidden water leaks early to minimise water wastage and help residents track and manage their water use.