The City of Bayswater has been named WA's top water saving council by the Water Corporation, taking out the prestigious Platinum Waterwise Council of the Year title alongside the City of Cockburn.
The Waterwise Council program is a joint partnership between the Water Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) and supports councils to improve liveability in their communities and water efficiency in their operations.
Mayor Dan Bull said City officers have worked hard to achieve Platinum status.
“The awards recognise the City's commitment to our natural water systems and sustainable practice.
"We have identified opportunities to achieve maximum water efficiency and reduce water contamination.
“The actions we take mitigate climate change at a local level and protect our sensitive natural environments and waterways.
As a result of the implementation of its Waterwise Bayswater Strategy, the City has already seen an improvement in the quality of stormwater entering the Swan River, having reduced excess nutrients into the Bayswater Brook system by 30%.
Becoming a Platinum Waterwise Council is a further testament to the City’s commitment to saving water and reducing harm to the environment.
The Waterwise Bayswater Strategy has delivered a number of projects this year. For example, it converted a drainage area into a micro wetland at Peters Place. The Peters Place project came in a close second from the six nominated this year for the Water Corporation's 2021 Community Choice Award.
The City has also worked with local school children on Waterwise projects. For example, inspired by the City’s transformation of Peters Place, students from John Forrest Secondary College approached Council to restore the drain behind their school. They are now working with the City and the Water Corporation on plans for the project.
In an additional win for the City, Bayswater Waves Aquatic Centre received an inaugural Gold Waterwise Aquatic Centre award for demonstrating best practice water management in an Aquatic Centre by running the centre in the most water efficient way possible.