Barwon Water spreads the water-saving message

BARWON Water is out and about in the community this month raising awareness of the importance of being water efficient at home and on holidays.

At “community pop ups” at summer events and markets on the Surf Coast and Bellarine, friendly Barwon Water staff will be reminding holidaymakers and residents about the region’s permanent water saving rules, and encouraging local water saving measures through Target Your Water Use program.

Dedicated community pop ups will be held at the Portarlington Mussel Festival, Anglesea Riverbank Market, Lorne Foreshore Market and along the foreshore at Apollo Bay and Barwon Heads.

Barwon Water managing director Tracey Slatter said the summer campaign would step up a gear over the next few months, with community pop-ups in coastal towns and widespread promotion of the permanent water saving rules.

“The pop-ups will be a great way for us to spread the word and encourage locals and holidaymakers to save water this summer.

“We’re also reminding our customers that permanent water saving rules are always in place to ensure if we each save a little, we all save  a lot.”

The rules are:

• Only using irrigation systems and sprinklers after 6pm and before 10am
• Fitting hoses with a trigger nozzle
• Recirculating water in fountains and water features, and
• Water cannot be used to clean hard surfaces (including, driveways, paths, concrete, tiles, timber decking), except where cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency.

The rules are uniform across Victoria and apply to drinking water only. They do not apply to recycled water, tank water (rainwater) or greywater.

Coming pop ups include in Barwon Heads from 11am-1pm on January 21, Apollo Bay from 11am-1pm on January 22 and 28, and at the Lorne Foreshore Market on January 25.

In addition to the pop ups, as part of the summer campaign, Barwon Water has updated its website with a dedicated “save water” page that includes information about the permanent water saving rules (PWSR) and other tips and information about how to save water.

You can also google “PWSR” to find out more.