Gold star for Freo’s water saving actions

Earlier this year, the City of Fremantle was re-endorsed as a Gold Waterwise Council for 2020.

The Waterwise Council program is a partnership between the Water Corporation and Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. Fifty nine local governments have been accredited since it was established in 2009, reaching over 1.6 million residents.

To achieve gold status local councils must not only meet strict criteria related to their own water consumption but also encourage schools and property developers to participate in Waterwise programs.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said it was a great achievement for the City to be re-endorsed as a Gold Waterwise Council.

“Sustainable water management is part of our commitment to being a One Planet council so naturally we are very pleased this result,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“Fremantle was the first local government in WA to become a One Planet council when we were accredited in 2015, and we’ve met our community target of a 10 per cent reduction in scheme water use by 2020.

“To achieve our Waterwise gold status, the City had put in place a process for regular inspections of pipes and fittings and real-time metering to identify any leaks and get them repaired quickly.

“We’ve also increased the use of Waterwise plants and water efficient irrigation systems in our landscaping projects, and created a policy to encourage residents to establish Waterwise verge gardens.”

Another key contributor to the City’s gold status was the Fremantle Leisure Centre.

Manager John East said the Leisure Centre had been part of the Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program since 2016.

“Some of our water saving actions included fitting water reducers to showers and taps, reducing backwashing times to filters and putting blankets on the swimming pools each night to reduce evaporation,” Mr East said.

To find out more, visit the One Planet Sustainable Water page on the City of Fremantle website.