Waterwise Albany schools to save millions of litres of water

• Waterwise upgrades help local schools save during National Water Week
• Regional Water Corporation customers encouraged to take advantage of free water-saving offers and rebates
• Being waterwise more important than ever in Great Southern due to reduced rainfall

Seven Albany schools are aiming to save an impressive 2.6 million litres of precious drinking water each year - equivalent to 62 backyard swimming pools - thanks to a Cook Government program.

Coinciding with National Water Week, the initiative highlights how local schools are leading the way in water conservation and helping spread the waterwise message throughout their communities.

The five primary schools and two high schools all took part in a waterwise audit which examined water use and identified areas for improvement.

As part of the initiative, water-efficient fixtures such as dual-flush toilets and time flow taps were installed to help prevent accidental water wastage.

The upgrades were delivered through Water Corporation's Waterwise Towns Program, which also provides offers and rebates to customers in eligible regional communities.

Offers are tailored to individual towns and, depending on location, include free waterwise showerheads, as well as rebates for installing rainwater tanks, replacing single-flush toilets, and using an approved garden irrigator to fix leaking reticulation.

These free offers and rebates are available until 31 May 2026.

Being waterwise is especially important in the Great Southern, where winter rainfall has dropped 16 per cent since 1968. Modelling predicts a further 21 per cent decline annually by 2050.

This has significantly reduced groundwater availability, which accounts for around 90 per cent of drinking water supplied through the Lower Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme.

To meet growing demand and support long-term community development, the Cook Government is investigating seawater desalination as a future water source.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Don Punch:   

"Despite a wet winter, rainfall across the Great Southern has, and will continue to, decline over the long term.  

"By 2050, we'll need an extra 1.8 billion litres of drinking water each year to support community growth and unlock new economic opportunities.  

"Desalination will  need to form part of the region's longer-term water supply, however, it doesn't mean we can get complacent when it comes to saving water. We all need to play our part in securing our water future."

Comments attributed to Samantha Rowe MLC:  

"It's fantastic to see local schools pitching in to reduce water use and making sure the waterwise message is known by students.  

"Water is such a precious resource across WA, and we all have a role in ensuring it remains for future generations."