Pilbara to boost water savings by billions of litres

Pilbara communities will save up to 1.15 billion litres of water each year through a $1.5 million expansion of water-efficiency projects.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, Senator Don Farrell, has approved expansions of Integrated Water Efficiency Projects in the East Pilbara and West Pilbara regions of Western Australia.

“Saving an additional 1.15 billion litres of water, which is the equivalent of about 460 Olympic swimming pools, through the expansion of these projects, will play an extremely important role in addressing water scarcity in the Pilbara,” Senator Farrell said.

“It will reduce the pressure on the area’s precious drinking water sources in the short- and long-term.

The expansions involve installing 5700 smart water meters in the East Pilbara townships of Port Hedland and South Hedland and 7400 smart water meters in the West Pilbara townships of Karratha, Roebourne, Point Sampson and Wickham.

“The smart water meters will reduce water losses by improving leak detection in the household supply system,” Senator Farrell said.

“They will also enable consumers to make more informed decisions about their water usage.

“Investment in these projects further demonstrates the Australian Government’s commitment to securing water supplies for cities and towns in regional Australia.”

The expansions were made possible as a result of $1.5 million of savings identified in another regional integrated water efficiency project receiving funding under the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns program.

More than $12 million is being provided for these projects through the Australian Government’s Water for the Future initiative.