By Gill Cooper
Barwon Water has urged Geelong residents to save water in the lead up to summer, despite confidence in its ability to secure back-up supplies.
The authority’s managing director Tracey Slatter said everyone has “a role to play” in saving water as climate change and population growth makes an impact locally.
“Common-sense, permanent water-saving rules apply every day of the year, regardless of rainfall, weather or the volume of our water storages,” Ms Slatter said.
Responsible water use in Geelong had reduced consumption significantly over recent decades, Ms Slatter said.
“Despite our population almost doubling over the past 35-plus years, Geelong’s water use is much lower now than it was in the early 1980s.”
Changes in industry and improvements in water infrastructure had also reduced usage, Ms Slatter said.
“Water demand has reduced by about 24 per cent, from more than 44,000 megalitres a year in 1981/82 to 34,000 megalitres in 2016/17.”
Barwon Water recommends local residents use hand-held hoses with trigger nozzles, sprinklers and watering systems between 6pm and 10am and recirculated water in fountains and water features, while refraining from washing paved areas or hard surfaces unnecessarily.
In a “worst case” scenario of high growth and climate change impacts, Geelong’s water supply system could require an upgrade as early as 2043, Ms Slatter said.
“Under a more likely median growth and median climate change scenario, an upgrade is not required until around 2061.”
