New regional communities announced for Waterwise program

• Nine new regional communities invited to participate in the 2018-19 Waterwise Towns Program

• In 2017-18, the program saved more than 75 million litres of water

Residents from Albany in the south to Nullagine in the north of Western Australia are encouraged to take part in the State Government's Waterwise Towns Program and help save precious water.

The Water Corporation is contacting selected regional communities across the State, inviting people to take part in the program which includes free showerhead swaps and comparative water use letters so people can see how much water they use and look at ways to reduce that amount over time.

Areas selected for the 2018-19 program are Albany, Mount Barker, Norseman, Leonora, Laverton, Menzies, Geraldton, Jurien Bay and Nullagine.

Up to two old showerheads can be replaced at no cost with water-efficient ones by taking the old showerheads and a copy of a recent Water Corporation bill to selected locations in each community.

The State Government is also rewarding Albany and Mount Barker residents who buy a new rainwater tank or have an existing rainwater tank plumbed into their homes, with a rebate ranging from $500 to $1,000.

Offers through the Waterwise Towns Program are available until May 31, 2019 or until showerhead stocks last, and rainwater tank program funds have been expended.

The program selects different regional communities each year to take part, with water saving offers tailored to suit local conditions.

For more details, visit https://www.watercorporation.com.au

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"I encourage people living in these communities to take advantage of this State Government program, as climate change continues to have an impact on our water supplies.

"Given around 22 per cent of all household water use is in the shower, swapping your old showerhead for a water-efficient one at no cost is one of the simplest ways to save water in your home.

"A water-efficient showerhead can save you around 20,000 litres of water a year.

"The Waterwise Towns Program has seen some excellent results in recent years. Last year's participating communities saved an impressive 75 million litres of water - that's enough water to fill more than 33 Olympic-sized swimming pools."