Tapping cash flow

By Tania Martin
AN EMERALD woman has pocketed some extra cash after a leaking tap led her to take part in a water audit.
Helen Ritt was shocked when she opened her water bill to find it double the usual amount.
But instead of just paying the bill, Ms Ritt contacted Yarra Valley Water (YVW) and was told she was eligible for a free water audit under the Smart Homes program.
The program provides low-income households with a free water efficiency audit by a licensed plumber.
Following the audit a plumber may then carry any small repairs that need doing such as leaking pipes, washers and toilets.
Ms Ritt said the program was great because as a single mother she would never have been able to afford to call a plumber to investigate the extra water usage.
The audit found that Ms Ritt had a leak in an outside tap in her front yard and a washer on her toilet needed replacing.
She said the tap and toilet was fixed by the plumber and paid for by YVW.
Ms Ritt said the program has saved her more than $60 on her water bill
As a result of the smart homes program Victorian households have reduced water usage by 20 per sent and cut an average $80 off their water bills.
YVW managing director Tony Kelly said the program has been a great support and resource for customers and hopes that it can serve as a blueprint to other utility organisations around Australia. “It is a practical solution to reduce household expenses whilst educating customers on using water more efficiently,” he said.