A partnership between the region’s water management company and a not-for-profit housing provider has saved millions of litres of drinking water.
Barwon Water and Common Equity Housing Limited (CEHL) have combined forces to carry out a range of water-saving measures at 42 properties across the Geelong region that saved nearly 4 million litres of water over the last financial year.
Using initiatives including the installation of new tapware and fittings, repairing and replacing leaking toilet cisterns and leak detection and repairs, Barwon Water’s Community Housing Retrofit Program (CHRP) saved 3.83 million litres and helped tenants save about $10,000 in water charges.
The program is part of a wider range of water efficiency initiatives conducted by Barwon Water that saved 263 million litres in 2025-26.
Barwon Water’s general manager of planning, delivery and environment Seamus Butcher said a variety of relatively small changes could make a big difference to water savings.
“By installing new taps, fixing leaks or upgrading toilets from single flush to dual flush, the efficiency of properties can be vastly improved,” he said.
“We’re committed to actively supporting our customers, keeping bills affordable and helping them to be sustainable with their water use.
“Programs such as this also strengthen our water efficiency and help to secure supplies for our growing region.”
As the sustainability director of CEHL’s Phoenix Co-op in Geelong, Gabrielle Griffin understands the value of making every drop of water count, especially during dry conditions.
“It’s one of those unseen things – leaks and drips from old or inefficient fixings,” she said.
“These savings will benefit the members of our co-op. As a co-op director, I can see how this will save money on less plumbing in the long run.”
CEHL managing director Liz Thomas said the partnership supported the co-ops and members in saving water and money, and contributed to CEHL’s own environmental, sustainability and governance goals.
“CEHL is committed to actions that reduce our ecological footprint and housing affordability, and this partnership proves that both can go hand in hand,” she said.
Barwon Water has secured funding to continue delivering the CHRP in 2025-26.
Visit barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/saving-water for more details on Barwon Water’s grants and rebates for businesses and residents.
