In response to ongoing drought conditions, the introduction of mandatory water restrictions and consistently high water use recorded by Woollahra’s residents, Council has been actively implementing a range of water conservation actions. These actions include:

• replacement of all fixtures in our facilities with water efficient fixtures
• preparation and implementation of the Woollahra Water Savings Action Plan
• participation in the Sydney Water Every Drop Counts Business  Program
• participation in the Sydney Water DIY Pilot Program
• use of bore water for irrigation of suitable sites
• investigation of alternative water sources
• installation of low flow drip irrigation into new landscaped areas
• use of drought tolerant species
• mulching of garden beds
• assessment of irrigation needs of Council’s sports fields
• installation of rainwater tanks at Council depots and amenities blocks
• incorporation of water sensitive urban design elements into infrastructure projects.

Combined, these actions have reduced Council’s annual potable (drinking) water usage by over 79,000 kilolitres. This represents a saving of 70% and clearly demonstrates our commitment to reducing water consumption.

Woollahra's Water Savings Action Plan

The introduction of the Energy Administration Amendment (Water and Energy Savings) Act 2005 and the Metropolitan Water Plan required local councils who are within Sydney Water’s area of operations to develop a Water Savings Action Plan (WSAP).

Council has been actively reducing water use through the implementation of water conservation actions since 2002/2003. Since that time Council has reduced its annual water use by nearly 80%.

Council has prepared a Water Savings Action Plan that identifies how much water is being used at Council's top ten water using sites and identifies and prioritises actions to reduce potable water use. THrough the adoption of the WSAP, Council has adopted a 20% reduction target in potable water use across Council's operations from the base year (04/05) water use. Council has achieveed this target and is looking to extend the action plan for even more reductions.

Sydney Water's Every Drop Counts Business Program

Council joined Sydney Water's Every Drop Counts (EDC) Business program in April 2005. Council initially joined the program to formalise the water conservation initiatives being undertaken in a number of departments. Participation in the program also assisted with technical reviews of Council's facilities and the preparation of Council's draft WSAP.

Through the Every Drop Counts Business Program Council has access to water consumption data for all of our properties. There are also annual reporting requirements for the WSAP on Council's top ten sites.