Last Friday, Power and Water’s Living Water Smart program was awarded the Australian Water Association (AWA) Program Innovation award for the Darwin Community Leak Program, while their school curriculum unit That’s My Water was a finalist.
The AWA Northern Territory Branch presented the awards at the 28th Water in the Bush Conference dinner to acknowledge outstanding contributions of water industry professionals across northern Australia.
In response to a finding that leaks contribute to about 12% of water use in Darwin homes, with around one in eight homes having an average leak of 500,000 litres, or $1000 per year. Living Water Smart introduced the Community Leak Program in early 2017.
Leak checkers conducted leak checks at just over 30,000 residential water meters. Over 3000 leaks were found and to date residents have fixed around 65% of leaks, saving one billion litres of leaking water per year. The program has also been extended to the Katherine region.
Power and Water’s Senior Manager for Client Services Jacqui O’Neill said she and her team were very honoured to receive the coveted Program Innovation Award.
“It is wonderful to be acknowledged by the Australian Water Association for the innovation of our Community Leak Program. The program has made a positive impact on the community, encouraging sustainable water use. Our dedicated team has been raising awareness about checking for and fixing leaks and encouraging long-term behavioural change to help preserve our precious water resource.”
Ms O’Neill says the $200 Leak Find and Fix rebate has helped to fuel the change in homes and businesses.
“The rebate has also helped generate business for plumbers who are registered with the program, in helping residents locate and repair their leaks. Nineteen Darwin plumbers are registered with the program and almost 2,500 rebates have been issued.”
Living Water Smart’s That’s My Water! program was commended as a finalist in the same Program Innovation category. Living Water Smart partnered with the Department of Education to introduce the innovative school curriculum unit, tailored to Year 5 and 6 Darwin students about sustainable water use in the Darwin region.
Helen Chatto Girraween Primary School Principal says That’s My Water! encourages students to take ownership of a genuine local issue.
“I am thrilled to see first-hand how the program is capturing genuine interest with our students. Power and Water’s investment into development through STEM harnesses students with the knowledge about what simple habits can be altered to reduce water consumption.”
