WA businesses save more than 11 billion litres of drinking water in 2021-22

Water Corporation CEO Pat Donovan with Waterwise Industrial Business of the Year, Cockburn Cement.  

• Billions of litres of water saved by waterwise businesses in 2021-22
• 277 businesses and 18 buildings State-wide participate in water efficiency programs 
• Water Corporation's non-residential water-saving programs have saved more than 135 billion litres of water since 2007

Western Australian businesses have been celebrated for saving more than 11 billion litres of precious drinking water in 2021-22 at a special event attended by Water Minister Simone McGurk today.

The 277 businesses and 18 commercial offices are part of Water Corporation's Waterwise Business and Waterwise Building programs, which have saved more than 135 billion litres since 2007 - equivalent to 135 Optus Stadiums full of drinking water.

The programs aim to work collaboratively with the State's larger water-using businesses and premises to reduce water consumption and improve efficiency through tailored Water Efficiency Management Plans (WEMPs) and Action Plans.

Hollywood Private Hospital was awarded Waterwise Commercial Business of the Year for a range of initiatives including upgrading distribution infrastructure and fittings and investing in native plants as part of their landscaping - helping reduce overall water use by 13 per cent despite a recent expansion.  

The Waterwise Industrial Business of the Year went to Cockburn Cement Limited for their efforts to install submeters to better manage onsite water use and using stormwater and recycled water in its operations.

Since joining the program in 2013, Cockburn Cement's water use has fallen by 59 per cent. In 2021-22 alone, the business saved an incredible 27.5 million litres of water - equivalent to 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Four waterwise buildings were acknowledged for their commitment to water efficiency, achieving gold status under Water Corporation's Waterwise Building Program.

The 40-level Exchange Tower in Perth's CBD was crowned Waterwise Building of the Year for demonstrating a number of water efficiency initiatives including using new technology to track and alert staff to unusual water use.

The Waterwise Business program supports the WA Government's Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan (Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2) to establish leading waterwise communities for Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) by 2030.

To learn more about the Waterwise Business and Building programs visit http://www.watercorporation.com.au/Waterwise/Waterwise-programs

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

"It's fantastic to see so many businesses making a genuine effort to implement waterwise practices, not just in their office spaces but across operations and landscaping too.

"As climate change continues to impact WA's water supply, it's imperative all sectors of the community, and in particular businesses and local governments, work together to improve efficiency.

"Taking action to reduce water use at work not only helps preserve WA's water supplies, it also positions employers as sustainable and environmentally responsible, which we know is increasingly important to employees.

"I am incredibly pleased to see these programs growing each year and thank all building managers and staff for their water-saving efforts in 2021-22."

Minister's office - 6552 6600 

Waterwise Business Program

Platinum Waterwise Commercial Business of the Year

Recognises a commercial business that is a leader in water efficiency and demonstrates best practice and innovation in water management for the 2021-22 WEMP reporting year.

Platinum Waterwise Industrial Business of the Year

Recognises an industrial business that is a leader in water efficiency and demonstrates best practice and innovation in water management for the 2021-22 WEMP reporting year.

Gold Waterwise Business

Recognises outstanding commitment to the program by implementing a number of key water management actions in their WEMP and achieving a significant improvement in water use.

Waterwise Building Program

Platinum Waterwise Building of the Year

Awarded to a commercial office building that went above and beyond to deliver outstanding water sustainability outcomes and demonstrated best practice water use.

Gold Waterwise Buildings

Awarded to a commercial building that has demonstrated best-practice water management.

Waterwise Building Endorsed recipients

New buildings that have met endorsement requirements

Waterwise Commercial Business of the Year recipients, Hollywood Private Hospital, with Water Minister Simone McGurk and Water Corporation Chairman Ross Love.

Water Minister Simone McGurk with Waterwise Building of the Year recipients, Exchange Tower, and Water Corporation Chairman Ross Love.