Perth and Peel households are being encouraged to take advantage of free waterwise irrigation offers this spring.
Available to Water Corporation customers in the metropolitan area, offers include a free garden irrigation check by an endorsed waterwise irrigator and a rebate towards the installation of a weather-based irrigation controller.
With up to 40 per cent of domestic scheme water use being outdoors, installing a weather-based irrigation controller is an easy way for households to save water and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The controllers detect rain and automatically adjust sprinklers to prevent over-watering.
A trial at 60 Perth homes found average water use reduced by around 15 per cent annually – equivalent to about two backyard swimming pools of water.
Through the Weather-based Irrigation Controller Rebate, Water Corporation will provide up to $300 towards a new weather-based irrigation controller, including set up and installation by a waterwise service provider.
In addition, 2000 free visits from waterwise-certified irrigators are available to help ensure scheme and bore reticulation systems are operating efficiently in the lead up to summer.
The offers come at a perfect time for bore users, with penalties now in effect for anyone breaching the revised two-day-a-week watering rosters.
This change was introduced by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation last year to help rebalance Perth's groundwater supply in response to the impact of climate change on water-dependent ecosystems.
More than 3500 households claimed a waterwise offer last year, with over 4,000 sprinklers replaced and 326 leaks repaired.
It helped save 33 million litres of valuable drinking water – equivalent to nearly 15 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
"All the signs point to it being a very hot summer, so now really is the time to ensure our homes and backyards are as waterwise as possible," Water Minister Simone McGurk said.
"These annual offers from Water Corporation are a great opportunity for households to not only reduce their bills, but also help conserve water which we know is one of WA's most valuable resources.
"It's no secret that climate change has had a dramatic impact on rainfall across southern WA, but by making smarter choices around the home we can still enjoy healthy, waterwise gardens."
Offers are available until May 31, 2024 or until allocation is exhausted.
To find out more about the Weather-based Irrigation Controller Rebate and the Spring Irrigation Check visit watercorporation.com.au/waterwiseoffers.
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