Council water savings
The state of our water supply is an issue that affects everyone and is therefore a high priority to Council.
Water Savings Action Plan
Leichhardt Council has developed the Water Savings Action Plan in accordance with the Energy Administration Amendment (Water and Energy Savings) Act 2005 and DEUS guidelines. The purpose of this Plan is to investigate how water is used by Council operations and to identify measures that will reduce water use. The plan concentrates on Council’s top eleven water using sites, which include the Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, Council’s Administration Centre, Ovals and Reserves. These sites account for 80% of Council’s total water use.
The water savings measures listed in this Plan will be implemented over the next four years and will reduce Councils potable water demand by 17,827 kL per year – that’s equivalent to the yearly water use of around 100 houses.
Leichhardt sees the conservation of water as a high priority and has implemented the following measures to use water more effectively and reduce wastage.
Water Saving Devices
Many older facilities found in park amenity blocks and Council owned buildings can be inefficient, causing unnecessary usage. Where possible Council has replaced toilet cisterns with efficient dual flush ones and installed waterless urinals, low flow taps and AAA rated shower heads. Future replacement of old facilities will occur at Leichhardt Oval No.2 King George Park, Lambert Park, Birchgrove Oval, Leichhardt Town Hall and Leichhardt Depot over the next four years under the Water Savings Action Plan.
Park Irrigation
Due to water restrictions Council has had to limit the volume of water used on Ovals and sportsgrounds. Over the past few years, Cloudmaster irrigation systems have been installed at a number of these parks which monitor rainfall and only water when it is needed. These systems enables Council to control irrigation to the second and can even be operated via mobile phone. The Cloudmaster irrigation system will be installed in remaining irrigated Ovals over the next four years. Where possible, rainwater collected from surrounding buildings and amenity blocks will used to supplement irrigation using existing irrigation tanks.
Monitoring Usage
An integral step to conserving water is knowing how much is used and where it used. Council has begun a monthly monitoring program of water meters to track usage at our major water using sites. Usage that exceeds monthly targets will be investigated by Council.
Rainwater Tanks
Tanks that collect rainwater falling on rooftops can be used as a water supply for non-drinking purposes, reducing demand on our potable water supply. Council has installed water tanks at Elkington Park, Balmain Town Hall Glass House, Birchgrove Park and 19 Leichhardt Street Child Care Centre. Council will continue to install water tanks where appropriate to promote using alternative water supplies.
Tackling Water Saving
Leichhardt Council and the Balmain Tigers have teamed up to tackle water savings at Leichhardt Oval, home of the Balmain Tigers and Wests Tigers rugby league teams. More information on this project can be found here.