Yarra Valley Water is reporting strong progress as Melbourne organisations adopt digital tools to improve water efficiency. Through the WaterSmart program, participating businesses saved 70 million litres and more than $360,000 last financial year.
This outcome comes at a critical time as storages across the region continue to fall due to dry conditions and higher demand.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Natalie Foeng said WaterSmart is giving businesses the visibility needed to take practical action.
“Melbourne’s storages have dropped by more than 13 per cent in the past 12 months due to drier conditions, so every litre we save matters.”
“WaterSmart gives businesses the tools and visibility to make practical changes that will have a lasting impact. Small adjustments can deliver big results.”
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What are businesses learning from digital water monitoring?
The program, funded by the Victorian Government and delivered by water corporations, combines data loggers, audits and tailored insights. It is designed to uncover hidden inefficiencies, reduce avoidable losses and help organisations make informed operational decisions.
Ford is one of 170 businesses supported by Yarra Valley Water. Environmental Facility Compliance Supervisor Steve Verescuk said the technology has already helped the company address several issues.
“As a business, reducing our environmental impact is important and this program has greatly supported that effort.”
“The data loggers installed through the program allow us to monitor our water usage in real time. They have already enabled us to detect and repair a couple of leaks, saving a substantial amount of water.”
How are councils using WaterSmart to support community services?
Local governments are also using WaterSmart to reduce losses in public facilities and community spaces. Yarra Ranges Council has adopted the system across several high-use sites.
Councillor Jim Child said early leak alerts have prevented unnecessary water loss and avoided damage.
“Our staff have had great success with the WaterSmart Program. The program allows us to remotely monitor water usage at key sites, which in turn helps us to identify leaks and issues.”
“Given the increasingly hot and dry conditions associated with climate change, conserving water is more critical than ever, particularly in high-use community spaces.”
A recent WaterSmart alert led staff to a high-traffic public toilet where a spike in water use signalled a concealed leak behind a wall. Early intervention prevented structural damage and avoided further water loss.
Why WaterSmart business water savings matter for Melbourne?
The combination of real-time data, targeted advice and operational support is becoming a vital tool in Melbourne’s water security planning. With storages declining, the ability to reduce losses at scale is increasingly important for both businesses and community assets.
The WaterSmart program continues to expand as more organisations recognise the value of digital monitoring in strengthening operational resilience and lowering costs.