Council is developing more far-reaching methods to reduce its water use in Strathfield by a further 20 per cent. Council's commitment to reduce its water use is outlined in the Water Savings Action Plan that Council adopted in December 2006.
Council has previously developed a comprehensive sustainable water program for Strathfield, a blueprint that looks at the urban water cycle as a whole and outlines a pathway for sustainable water use in Strathfield into the future. Council's new Water Savings Action Plan ('Plan') is a key milestone of that broader sustainable program.
Council has already reduced its use of water by 50 per cent on facilities such as parks, sports and other open areas from 1990 levels. However, today 75 per cent of water that Council uses is to maintain open space, and Council is committed to find new ways to reduce its water use and to conserve water whilst maintaining safe, quality public areas for the community to enjoy.
Some of the proposed initiatives of the new Plan that will see Council reduce its water use and adopt new conservation methods in Strathfield include:
- Water efficient tap fixtures and waterless urinals in public areas
- Rainwater harvesting in tanks at locations such as libraries and the community centre
- Improved reuse of storm water, for example at Mason Park
In addition to the new Plan, Council is developing further initiatives as part of its broader sustainable water program for Strathfield that includes:
- River catchment areas - capturing rainwater before it becomes stormwater to improve river water quality
- Urban developments - planning for water sensitive design, for example filtering water run-off and diverting rainwater to landscaping
Everyone in the community is encouraged to be vigilant about reducing their water use at home and at work to ensure that 'every drop counts', particularly in light of the recent announcement that Sydney dam levels had reached 37.5 per cent.
Strathfield's water restrictions have been in place for homes and businesses since 2003.
