Waterwise Council
In 2017, the Shire of Denmark was officially endorsed as a Waterwise Council by the Water Corporation and Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. Waterwise Council endorsement is awarded for the Shire’s commitment to sustainable water management in Denmark. Endorsement criteria included: development of a Water Efficiency Action Plan, which set water use targets, and actions on how to achieve those targets, over the next 5 years; staff waterwise training; a review of community and Shire water use; and, no breaches of ground or scheme water for 12 months. The Shire’s Water Efficiency Action Plan (2017-2022) can be viewed here
Waste Water Treatment Irrigation Project
The Shire of Denmark has entered into a recycled water supply agreement with Water Corporation. The agreement is for 15 years, supplying 140kL per day to irrigate the oval at Mclean Park. There is no recycled water supply charge to the Shire. Currently, all wastewater discharges to a creek that enters the Wilson Inlet adjacent to the Ricketts Reserve.
The Shire works for the project include works at Mclean Oval to be able to accept the treated wastewater and a pipeline connecting to the boundary of the wastewater treatment plant.
Water Corporation works includes necessary water treatments plant works and a pump station to provide pressure for delivery of the wastewater.
The Shire has installed a second 200kL tank and upgraded the irrigation system as part of the project. The project scope requires the Shire to establish a pipeline from Zimmerman Street to the tank at Mclean Park; this is in the draft budget for 2022/23.
The revised start date for Water Corporation works is 5 July 2023 and it remains the Water Corporations intention to have the treated water ready to use for the irrigation season this coming summer.
The project aligns with the Shire's Sustainability Strategy Waterwise pillar and delivers a positive outcome for our environment.
Water Consumption and Costs - Performance of the Shire's Assets
Annual water performance data (from 2012-2013) can be found in the Shire's Annual Reports at http://www.denmark.wa.gov.au/documents/?CategoryId=40
Rainwater Tanks and Greywater Re-use Systems Policy
In February 2010, Council adopted a Town Planning Scheme Policy Number 40: Rainwater Tanks and Greywater Re-use Systems. The Shire of Denmark developed this policy to encourage landowners, developers and builders to incorporate rainwater tanks and greywater re-use systems within residential areas. This will achieve a number of environmental benefits including:
- Reduced risk of water restrictions in the future;
- Increased local awareness of water scarcity and usage;
- Promoting the responsible use of water supplies and reducing the demand on the Water Corporation supply network;
- Encouraging waterwise developments through recycling of greywater and other initiatives; and,
- Promoting an overall increased level of sustainability within residential areas.
Waterwise Website Links
Water Corporation-endorsed Residential Greywater Ready Plumbing Guidelines
Waterwise Council Program