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.

04 May 2022 | Update

Waterwise champions making it their business to save water

Using water sustainably is good for business. Just ask this year's waterwise award recipients.

  • Business
  • Waterwise businesses
  • Waterwise councils
  • Waterwise developments
Sitting area at OneFiveOne Hamilton Hill
04 Apr 2022 | Update

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

  • Community
  • Waterwise
  • Waterwise councils
14 May 2021 | Update

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.

  • Waterwise
  • Waterwise businesses
  • Waterwise councils
  • Waterwise developments
Image of Perth skyscraper, 197 St Georges Terrace