Improving water security in times of drought

21 August 2018

Tuesday, 21 August 2018

Improving water security in times of drought

Waverley Council is reducing its reliance on drinking water to carry out irrigation and for other uses by almost doubling the capacity of its groundwater harvesting system at Waverley Park.

The system currently provides five million litres [megalitres] of recycled water each year, but will be able to provide nine megalitres- enough water to fill more than three Olympic-sized pools- each year once a current upgrade is completed next month.

Waverley Mayor, Cr John Wakefield, congratulated the Council for investing in sustainable methods to help maintain our beautiful recreational spaces and carry out cleaning.

“With the entire state now in drought, Waverley Council is doing its bit to save precious drinking water by using sustainable alternatives,” Mayor Wakefield said.

The system captures groundwater seepage at the park and filters the water to irrigate Waverley Oval, sports fields and ornamental gardens, as well as for flushing toilets at the Margaret Whitlam Recreation Centre.

“By upgrading the system, we are improving water security in times of drought, and most importantly, helping make sustainability second nature in Waverley.”

The system stores around 50,000 litres of water in an underground tank, maintaining open space in that area of the park.

Waverley Council also harvests water from a bore at Barracluff Park in Bondi to irrigate the grass there. This also supplies water to Council’s water trucks to irrigate gardens and street trees

Groundwater makes up around 23% of the Earth’s fresh water, making it a valuable water supply.

To learn more about, and to support Waverley Council’s environmental initiatives, visit secondnature.org.au