Waterwise Council Program
The Waterwise Council Program supports and endorses Councils in Western Australia for their leadership in saving water. The Program supports the State Government’s vision to build waterwise communities.
About the Program
The Program, run jointly with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, supports councils in improving water efficiency and adopting waterwise practices in their operations and communities. In conjunction with building waterwise communities, it recognises the work of councils leading by example and inspiring residents to save water. It is free to join for local government authorities in Western Australia.
Key achievements
- 64 councils are participating in the program
- All 32 metro councils have been participating since 2021, reaching 2 million residents
- 32 regional councils participating
- In 2020-21, the Waterwise Greening Scheme funded 13 waterwise councils that created 216 waterwise verges, planted 621 waterwise trees and over 35,000 waterwise plants
What is a waterwise community?
A waterwise community is a cool, liveable, green and sustainable place where people want to live, work and spend their time. It is where communities care about and value water while making the best use of its various sources (groundwater, surface water, stormwater, seawater and wastewater).
The community serves as a catchment and provides healthy natural environments, supporting a range of social, ecological and economic benefits.
Waterwise councils & the community
Benefits for endorsed councils
Councils that are endorsed receive several benefits, including:
- Free waterwise training for staff
- Waterwise materials to promote water conservation in the community
- Access to up to $10,000 of waterwise greening scheme funding
- Data loggers to assist with leak detection
- Opportunity to participate in liveability projects and trials.
Recognition Scheme
The recognition scheme acknowledges councils demonstrating leadership in sustainable water management, with Gold status for top-performing councils and a Platinum award for the council of the year. Recognition criteria aligns with the Water Sensitive Cities Index to celebrate the great work.
Inspiration from waterwise councils
We have case studies showing how our waterwise councils are saving water and creating waterwise communities. These capture real-life challenges and lessons from WA councils and have been developed collaboratively to identify opportunities and innovative water-saving approaches.
City of Joondalup
Parks and public open spaces in Joondalup have become more water efficient thanks to smart irrigation, which uses the appropriate amount of water based on the weather.
Town of Bassendean
Street trees, parks, verges and green infrastructure reduce heating effects in heat-stressed areas. Discover how this town is creating a cooler environment.
Want to join the Waterwise Councils program?
Find out how to join and start implement waterwise principles.
Waterwise champions making it their business to save water
Using water sustainably is good for business. Just ask this year's waterwise award recipients.
2022 Community Choice Awards
The Community Choice Awards recognises leading Waterwise Councils, as voted by you. The shortlisted projects are all innovative and create benefits for the community
2021 Platinum Waterwise winners
Every year, Water Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation come together to celebrate the water efficiency achievements of local government, businesses, buildings, developments and aquatic centres.
