City is set to tap into water conservation

KNOX City Council is ready to lead the way on water after voting last week to adopt a new plan on sustainable water use.
Knox mayor David Cooper said the council’s Sustainable Water Use Plan outlined how the council would reduce water usage by 25 per cent, based on pre-water restriction usage levels, by 2015.
“It covers all aspects of council’s water use and focuses on where it can conserve water, recycle water, find alternative sources of water and not use water at all.
“Council’s plan is based on an audit of water used in its facilities, which showed that over 80 per cent of its water is used for recreation facilities, such as sports grounds and parks,” he said.
Cr Cooper also encouraged residents to do a basic water audit around their home, garden or work place to find ways to conserve water.
“Council’s plan will not only help save water, but also money. It is a positive step forward to proactively identify ways to conserve water in council’s facilities,” Cr Cooper said.
The plan also complements the State Government’s Our Water Our Future plan.
Tirhatuan Ward councillor Mick Van de Vreede added to the council recommendation a proposal to complete a business case for implementing sustainability initiatives in council facilities to improve energy and water efficiency for the 2006/2007 financial year, an idea that received unanimous backing.
“The sooner we start (reducing our water consumption), the sooner we start showing leadership and setting an example to the rest of the community,” Mr Van de Vreede said.