Seven Albany schools are set to save 2.6 million litres of drinking water each year, the equivalent of 62 backyard swimming pools, through a Cook Government initiative helping regional communities become more waterwise.
Coinciding with National Water Week, the initiative showcases how schools in Western Australia’s Great Southern region are leading by example, with students, teachers and maintenance teams working together to reduce unnecessary water use.
Five primary schools and two high schools participated in a Waterwise audit delivered through Water Corporation’s Waterwise Towns Program, which identified practical ways to conserve water across school grounds and facilities.
As part of the upgrades, new dual-flush toilets and time flow taps were installed to prevent accidental water wastage, while older fixtures were replaced with modern, water-efficient alternatives.
Water Minister Don Punch said the schools’ efforts show how local leadership can drive community-wide water savings.
“Despite a wet winter, rainfall across the Great Southern has, and will continue to, decline over the long term,” he said. “By 2050, we’ll need an extra 1.8 billion litres of drinking water each year to support community growth and unlock new economic opportunities. Desalination will need to form part of the region’s longer-term water supply, however, it doesn’t mean we can get complacent when it comes to saving water. We all need to play our part in securing our water future.”
The Waterwise Towns Program also provides a range of free offers and rebates to regional customers in eligible areas. Depending on their location, residents can access free water-efficient showerheads, rebates for rainwater tanks, and replacements for single-flush toilets, as well as discounts for approved irrigators who repair leaks in reticulation systems. These offers are available until 31 May 2026.
Waterwise communities adapting to a changing climate
Samantha Rowe MLC said the schools’ participation reinforces the importance of community-led conservation.
“It’s fantastic to see local schools pitching in to reduce water use and making sure the waterwise message is known by students,” Rowe said. “Water is such a precious resource across WA, and we all have a role in ensuring it remains for future generations.”
Being waterwise is especially critical in the Great Southern, where winter rainfall has fallen 16 per cent since 1968 and is projected to drop by a further 21 per cent by 2050. This has already reduced groundwater availability, which supplies around 90 per cent of drinking water to the Lower Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme.
To meet future demand and support economic growth, the Cook Government and Water Corporation are investigating seawater desalination as a long-term solution for regional water security.
For more information about regional water-saving programs and rebates, visit watercorporation.com.au/waterwise.