Waterwise business recognition scheme

The Recognition Event acknowledges customers participating in the Waterwise Business Program for their ongoing commitment to water efficiency and achieving a significant improvement in water use.

There are two levels of recognition:

• Platinum waterwise business - recognising one business as a leader in water efficiency, demonstrating best practice and innovation in water management for the WEMP reporting year.
• Gold waterwise business - recognising businesses that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to the program by implementing a number of key water management actions and achieving significant improvements in water use.

Benefits

Being recognised provides a number of benefits for your business:

Platinum waterwise business

• Invitation to attend the annual Waterwise Recognition Event hosted by the Minister for Water
• A trophy to acknowledge you as Waterwise Business of the Year
• A case study about your water saving efforts, published on our website 
• Promotion as a leader in water efficiency
• Waterwise Platinum branding to promote your water saving achievements which can be used on your website, email signatures and publications.

Gold waterwise business

• Invitation to attend the annual Waterwise Recognition Event hosted by the Minister for Water
• A certificate to acknowledge achieving Gold Waterwise Business status
• Your organisation's name listed on our website
• Waterwise Gold branding to promote your water saving achievements which can be used on your website, email signatures and publications.

Eligibility

To be recognised as a waterwise business you need to meet the following criteria:

Platinum status

To be recognised as a Platinum Waterwise Business you must meet the Gold criteria plus outline in 300 words or less how your organisation has demonstrated leadership or innovation in water management.  One winner will be selected from all applications per reporting year.

Gold status

• An appropriate industry water efficiency performance indicator is used to assess performance and set targets
• Your WEMP action plan is prioritised based on highest water using areas and includes evidence that the following minimum actions have been implemented (where applicable*)
• Minimum 4 Star WELS rated water efficient fixtures and fittings have been installed
• Relevant education is provided for staff and/or patrons to encourage waterwise behaviour (e.g. training, display of information, posters, stickers etc)
• Regular monitoring of water use via manual meter reading, building management systems, sub meters, or use of smart meters (where available)
• Leak detection and repair is part of business as usual.
• Irrigation is compliant with watering rosters
• The creation of a water management team with representation from across the business
• Demonstrated improvement in water use efficiency compared to your WEMP baseline year

*where the action is not applicable to the business type it will not be considered to be a mandatory requirement for recognition.

Annual recognition

We review Water Efficiency Management Plans (WEMPs) and Annual Reports to make a shortlist of customers who meet our eligibility criteria. Customers eligible for gold recognition will be notified in February/March. All Gold Waterwise Business customers are eligible to apply for Platinum Waterwise Business. This recipient is announced at the Waterwise Recognition Event in May.