Saving water not a bore

by Wen Xing Ho

April 3, 2008

WITH summer coming to an end and the wet season around the corner, sandgropers’ watering habits must change to avoid excessive use, the Water Corporation says.

Corporation spokesperson Clare Lugar says residents and businesses need to turn off pre-programmed reticulation systems and stop watering during rainy periods.

“Most people already do this,” Ms Lugar says, “however, we need everyone to do their bit to save as much water as possible.”

During the weekend of March 29 and 30, water consumption totalled more than 1.7 billion L, almost 200 million L more than projected figures for this time of the year. According to Water Corporation research, 90 per cent of people in the metro area support water restrictions, while in the country there’s only 80 per cent support.

In summer, up to 70 per cent of the drinking water supplied to Perth residents each day is used to water gardens. There was a time when bore water use was unrestricted, but now people can only use bores three times a week.

“Most people generally follow the law,” Ms Lugar says, “but a small minority do not, and continue using water on days that they are not supposed to.”