Warm weather prompts waterwise reminder for festive travellers
Water Corporation employees Kylie and Meera undertaking water efficiency inspections at the Dunsborough Lakes Caravan Park.
Holidaymakers are being urged to remain waterwise this festive season, with warm weather and an influx of visitors likely to see increased demand for drinking water in some of WA’s most popular tourist towns.
The populations of holiday hotspots like Dunsborough and Yallingup, as well as Albany, Esperance and Denmark on the south coast and Exmouth in the Mid West, can swell to several times their regular size during the summer break.
Water Corporation Demand Delivery Manager Damien Postma emphasised that excessive or unnecessary water use could put pressure on regional water schemes over the holidays, making it more important than ever to stay waterwise.
“It’s crucial that people, especially visitors to holiday destinations, are mindful of their water use given the seasonal increase in demand over summer,” Mr Postma said.
“We know Western Australians do a fantastic job of being waterwise. However, we also know summer is getting longer and hotter while winter is getting drier. This means we can’t afford to get complacent when it comes to conserving valuable water supplies.
“Our message is to please be aware of personal and household water use and take steps to avoid unnecessary consumption. Small changes at a household level make a big difference across the community, helping to ensure drinking water remains secure and sustainable in the face of climate change.”
The reminder follows a long, hot summer earlier this year and comparatively dry winter across much of the South West Land Division, including Perth’s driest six months on record between October 2023 and March 2024.
Across southern WA, average winter rainfall has fallen by 15-20 per cent since the mid-1970s, leading to an 80 per cent reduction in dam streamflow along the Darling Scarp.
Those travelling away from home this holiday season can help conserve drinking water by:
• Checking for hidden household leaks and making repairs before going on holidays.
• Making sure garden irrigation is working correctly and set only to designated watering days.
• Switching off water-using appliances before leaving home.
• Keeping showers to under four minutes.
• Avoiding washing cars, boats and pets unnecessarily, or hosing down pavement.
• Ensuring backyard pools are covered to reduce evaporation.
To further help tourist towns prepare for an influx of summer visitors, Water Corporation is working with regional councils and high-water use businesses, such as accommodation providers, to reduce consumption and promote efficiency.
To help save water around the home, special offers are now available to Water Corporation customers in both metropolitan and regional areas.
Those in Perth and Peel can receive a rebate of up to $200 off eligible waterwise irrigation products or services, while various offers tailored to different regions and climates are available to regional customers through Water Corporation’s Waterwise Towns Program. For information on all offers, search “waterwise offers”.
For more waterwise tips and advice for those going on holiday, visit Water Corporation’s website.
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E: media@watercorporation.com.au
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Water Corporation employees Jaxon and Estella down at Rose Gardens Caravan Park in Emu Point, Albany.
One of the artworks to be displayed on billboards across the South West and Great Southern, reminding Western Australians to be waterwise over the summer break.