Don’t take a break from saving water these holidays

DEMAND for water in the Geelong region is expected to increase by more than 60 per cent over summer, so Barwon Water is hitting the streets with a new campaign to encourage residents and holidaymakers to use water wisely.

Barwon Water has recruited a new mascot to help spread the word – Drop the water droplet, who always does the right thing with water. Drop will star in the campaign alongside his furrow-browed friend Drip, who is very wasteful with water.

Spreading the message “Don’t be a drip, every drop counts”, the characters will remind people to take shorter showers, use the half-flush, and remember permanent water saving rules.

Barwon Water managing director Tracey Slatter said summer was an important time to use water responsibly because of drier weather and increased demand from holidaymakers.

“Surfers aren’t the only ones preparing for a big swell this summer. A wave of holidaymakers will visit our region, increasing our population by more than 200,000 people.

“We’re reminding people that while they’re relaxing down the beach they shouldn’t be relaxing their water-saving habits.

“Simple steps make a big difference. Cutting just two minutes off your shower reduces water use by 30 per cent, and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth saves about 10 litres of water per minute.

“Permanent water savings rules also apply and we’re reminding residents and property owners to fit their garden hose with a trigger nozzle, only turn on a sprinkler or watering system between 6pm and 10am, and to use a broom instead of water to clean hard surfaces like driveways and paths.

“These are simple and common-sense ways we can all contribute to saving water and help keep our water supplies secure throughout the warmer, drier months.”

Barwon Water has distributed information to caravan parks and hotels and will reveal its new vintage caravan and Drop mascot at 10 popular events over summer, including the Tranquility at Twilight Fair in Ocean Grove on January 5 and the Portarlington Mussel Festival on January 12.

The campaign is one of the ways Barwon Water is responding to feedback from customers who said they wanted Barwon Water to lead the way in promoting sustainable water use.

For more information, visit barwonwater.vic.gov.au/summer-campaign.