Pilot program offers cash back on water savers

RESIDENTS can now claim rebates on a range of water-saving products as Barwon Water rolls out a new summer pilot to help households cut consumption in the home and garden.

The WaterSmart Home and Garden Rebate pilot program offers money back on eligible items including pressure washers, drip irrigation systems, efficient showerheads and pool covers.

Barwon Water says the initiative is designed to help customers reduce water use and bills at a time when the region’s storages have dropped to 16-year lows following the driest year on record in the Barwon catchment. Storages entered summer below 50 per cent for the first time since 2009, when stage 4 restrictions were in place.

Barwon Water general manager of planning, delivery and environment Seamus Butcher said small actions across the community could collectively protect the region’s supply.

“These water-saving actions might seem relatively small, but collectively they can make a significant difference to our storage levels,” he said.

“As our climate gets drier and the population grows, our region cannot depend on rainfall alone to meet an increasing demand for water.

“Barwon Water is investing in a range of water sources and making savings where we can, and we’re also here to support customers in making every drop count.”

Barwon Water’s sustainability programs have saved 545 million litres of water since July 2023, and the organisation is on track to meet its aim of saving 1,000 million litres by June 2028.

Eligible products under the new rebate program are all water efficient and most are Smart Drop Certified.

For more information, head to barwonwater.vic.gov.au