Water management

Water conservation and reuse are essential in a drying climate and the City participates in a range of initiatives to reduce our water consumption and manage this precious resource responsibly.

Water Sensitive City

The City is working to become a Water Sensitive City, along with 16 other local councils across the Perth region. This is part of the state government’s vision for a Water Sensitive greater Perth and requires us to adapt to changing water availability so we can create liveable, resilient and sustainable communities. Being water sensitive means showing a commitment to sustainable water use and improved water quality; using Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and helping educate the community about the value of water.

Did you know?

In a drying climate, with increased urban density and ground water use; most of the City is categorised as having ‘extremely high’ water stress. Learn more about Perth’s unique hydrology and changing water supplies.

How is the City working to manage and conserve water?

Water Sensitive City benchmarking

Our progress towards becoming a Water Sensitive City was recently benchmarked by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities. This means the City’s performance is rated against 34 goals, including water literacy in the community, adaptive water infrastructure, and sustainable water use. The outcomes were used in the development of the City’s new Waterwise Council Action Plan 2021-26.

Gold Waterwise Council

The City is an endorsed Gold Waterwise Council, with the Waterwise Councils program and has achieved re-endorsement since 2016, due to consistent water efficient innovation across the City’s operations and provision of waterwise support to our community. The City has a leading Central Irrigation Management System, Waterwise endorsed aquatic centres, water sensitive urban design projects, supportive waterwise programs and incentives for our community and ongoing community engagement around our water initiatives. Under a new 5-year Waterwise Council Action Plan (2021-26) the City is committed to sustainably managing water into the future under a drying climate.

How can you save water?

Living Green Program

The City’s Living Green Program offers a range of support and initiatives to help the community conserve water. These include

Waterwise events and workshops
Waterwise Verge Rebate program
Sustainable Verge Awards
Waterwise Plant Giveaway Day
Rainwater Tank discounts
Greywater systems fee relief.

Learn more about the City’s community water initiatives and the Living Green Program here.

Greywater systems fee relief

To encourage the uptake of water efficient greywater systems across the City, greywater application fees have been waived, saving residents $236.

Greywater systems are one of the best opportunities to reuse water and save money at home or in the garden. Greywater systems allow you to treat domestic wastewater (from sinks, baths, showers and washing machines) and re-use it on the garden or for flushing toilets and washing clothes. As 42% of Perth’s mains water supply is used on residential lawns and gardens, greywater systems offer an opportunity to maintain a green garden while significantly reducing your water use and cost.

How to install a greywater system

Choose a greywater system approved by the Department of Health
Submit an application to construct or install an apparatus for the treatment of sewage to the City ($118 application fee currently waived). Note, certain larger systems may require approval from both the City and also the Chief Health Officer of the Department of Health. These include, premises with more than 8 occupants, output of more than 540 litres of sewage per day, or a lot with multiple premises. This will require the payment of an additional fee ($118)
Once approval is granted, ensure the system is installed by a plumber and they issue a Compliance Certificate
Request an inspection by the City’s Environmental Health Officer by calling (08) 9205 8555 and present them with the Compliance Certificate
Once the inspection is complete and the system approved, a “Permit to Use” the apparatus will be granted ($118 fees currently waived for this permit).

To learn more about greywater, visit gwig.org or download the West Australian Greywater Guide.

Top tips and resources to reduce water use

Check your sprinkler watering days and FAQ here
See how your water use compares to other households at Your Waterwise Status
Learn about alternative water supply opportunities like greywater systems and rainwater harvesting
Access waterwise advice for your home and garden and building/renovating a waterwise home
Learn about Perth's precious groundwater and everything you need to know if you have a garden bore.

Sustainable verge awards

Congratulations to the winners of the Sustainable Verge Awards and thank you to all the entrants for showing us what's 'growing on' in your gardens and sharing the ecological, social and water saving benefits of your verge.

Residential Waterwise Nature Strip

Winner: Eileen Jackson
Runner up: Patricia Stevenson

Biodiverse Residential Nature Strip

Winner: Jennie Arts
Runner up: Alex and Amy

The Sustainable Verge Awards aims to acknowledge community contributions to the establishment of nature strips throughout our streetscapes. These nature strips (verges) provide both ecological and social benefits related to key goals of our Waterwise Council endorsement, Urban Forest Plan, Local Biodiversity Strategy and Strategic Community Plan.

Award categories

1. Residential - Waterwise Nature Strip

Existing verge incorporates elements to reduce water consumption and encourage stormwater infiltration, such as: waterwise plants, use of recycled water, application of mulch, or efficient (drip style) irrigation systems.

2. Residential - Biodiverse Nature Strip

Existing verge incorporates elements to improve biodiversity such as a diverse range of local native plant species and an increase in habitat and food provision for native wildlife.

3. Business/Organisation - Sustainable Nature Strip

Existing verge includes:

Waterwise elements to reduce water consumption and encourage stormwater infiltration
Elements to improve biodiversity (increase local native plant species, and habitat and food for native wildlife)
Innovation, such as conversion to wheel strip parking which allows use of the space for biodiversity as well as by customers.

Prizes

Winners of each category will receive a $500 prize pack and runners-up in each category will receive a $250 prize pack. Winners will be notified by phone, email or social media in May 2022. Winners will also be promoted on the City’s Facebook page and website (photograph of verge will be included).
One winner from each category will receive: $100 voucher – WA Wildflower Society Nursery, Water Smart Flow Meter, $350 voucher – Green Life Soil Co.
One runner up from each category will receive: $50 voucher – WA Wildflower Society Nursery, Water Smart Flow Meter, $150 voucher – Green Life Soil Co.