Waterwise Councils Program | Water Corporation, WA

The Waterwise Council Program aims to build a cooperative working relationship with local governments in Western Australia by acknowledging councils that are demonstrating leadership in sustainable water management. 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 local governments to improve water efficiency and adopt waterwise practices in their operations and communities. In conjunction with building waterwise communities, it recognises how Waterwise Councils are leading by example and inspiring residents to save water. It's free to join for LGA's in Western Australia.

Key achievements

47 councils are participating in the program
100% metro local governments endorsed
15 regional councils participating
In 2023-2423, the Waterwise Greening Scheme funded 22 Waterwise Councils that created 167 waterwise verges, planted 2,721 waterwise trees, over 106,000 waterwise plants, delivered 15 garden workshops and 2 garden competition.

What is a waterwise community?

A waterwise community is a cool, liveable, green and sustainable place where people want to live, work and spend 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).

Waterwise communities provide healthy, natural environments that support 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
Access to up to $10,000 of Waterwise Greening Scheme co-funding
Data loggers to assist with leak detection
Workshops, recognition, networking and industry events
Promotional and educational materials for your community and staff
Opportunity to participate in liveability projects and trials.

Waterwise Events

Two annual events are co-hosted with DWER each year.

Waterwise Recognition Event

The Waterwise Recognition Event celebrates the achievements of participants in our five non-residential Waterwise Program and awards Waterwise Councils who have demonstrated success and leadership in the program. The Minister for Water issues a media release after the event to promote and highlight the efforts of these local governments which generates great local media coverage.

Waterwise Forum Event

Held during National Water Week (October) each year, the forum provides Waterwise Program participants with the opportunity to network and share achievements and challenges amongst peers and industry.

Inspiration from waterwise councils

We have case studies showing how our waterwise councils are saving water and creating waterwise communities. These capture challenges and lessons from WA councils and have been developed collaboratively to identify opportunities and innovative water-saving approaches.

City of Perth

Learn how the city of Perth's commitment to waterwise urban management has earned them recognition as the 2025 Waterwise Councils Program platinum award winner.

Read case study

City of Mandurah

Through community engagement, the City of Mandurah developed its Environment Strategy 2023 – 2033, setting the city's environmental vision.

READ CASE STUDY

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.