Australian-first waterwise guide helping WA mining camps save precious water

• Water Corporation building waterwise partnerships with WA mining camp operators 
• Potential annual savings of more than 176 million litres identified across seven camps 
• New guide supports water-efficient design and operation of mining camps  
• Water efficiency a shared responsibility across government, industry and the community 

Mining camps across regional Western Australia are being recognised for their waterwise leadership under a new program that has inspired an Australian-first industry guide to water efficiency.

Through its Mining Camp Water Efficiency Program, Water Corporation partnered with seven camp operators across the Goldfields and Pilbara to deliver comprehensive water-use audits.

The audits identified opportunities to reduce average water use by almost 39 per cent through measures like fixing leaks, improving monitoring and installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

At one camp near Kambalda, potential annual savings of 21 million litres were identified. At another near Leonora, leak repairs and other efficiencies reduced daily water use from about 185,000 litres to 70,000 litres. 

Lessons from the audits have helped shape a best-practice water efficiency guideline for mining camps in Western Australia, providing a practical roadmap for designing new water-efficient camps, and reducing water wastage at existing camps.

The guide covers leak detection, smart monitoring, efficient fixtures and appliances, irrigation, water reuse and long-term planning. 

Located in some of the State’s hottest, driest and most remote regions, mining camps can use significant volumes of scheme water to provide accommodation, kitchens, laundries, cooling and other essential facilities. 

Using water more efficiently reduces pressure on regional supplies while helping the resources sector manage costs and continue supporting jobs, investment and regional growth.

The initiative builds on Water Corporation programs helping councils, businesses, office buildings, land developers and aquatic centres reduce their water use.

It also supports the WA Government’s Made Possible by Water vision, which calls for government and industry to work together to minimise water use and support a thriving, climate-resilient future.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Daniel Pastorelli: 

“I commend the mining camps already working with Water Corporation and showing leadership by taking practical steps to reduce their water use.

“From businesses and councils to schools, aquatic centres and mining camps, being waterwise is a shared responsibility across our State.

“This new guide will help existing and future camps build on that work through practical measures such as fixing leaks, improving monitoring and installing efficient fixtures.

“Using water wisely can lower costs, ease pressure on regional supplies and help our resources sector continue supporting jobs and regional growth.”