Water Quality and Conservation
In This Section:
Benefits of Rainwater Tanks in Ballarat
Connect a rainwater tank to your building and save up to 40% of your water use!
City of Ballarat commissioned a consultant to undertake a study of the benefits of rainwater tanks plumbed to buildings in the Ballarat region.
The investigation found that rainwater tanks connected to uses within a building save significant amounts of mains water, they also have some benefit in flood mitigation and improving the quality of water entering our stormwater system.
For the best results, a volume of 3,000 L or more per 100 m2 of roof is recommended, and plumbed into as many uses as possible e.g. toilets, laundry, hot water, garden irrigation etc.
A permit from the City of Ballarat may be required to install a rainwater tank if the property is under a relevant overlay, such as a heritage overlay. Before installing a rainwater tank, residents should contact our Statutory Planning team on 5320 5536 to find out if they need to apply for a permit or not.
Why not read through the “Benefits of Rainwater Tanks in Ballarat” Report, or even calculate the potential benefit of a rainwater tank for you particular situation the Alternative Technology Association's “Tankulator” is a good guide.
Why is water quality and conservation important?
Global water consumption has risen almost tenfold since 1900 and world population is expected to increase by 45% in the next thirty years. As the driest continent, Australia is particularly susceptible to drought.
Water quality deteriorates when water is in low supply and as a result of urban development. Examples include increased salinity and outbreaks of blue green algae. Also, reuse of stormwater or recycled water requires efforts to maximise the quality of the water to be re-used.
While there is continued debate about how best to mamange our water resources, it is prudent for individuals and communities to use water in a non-wasteful way at home and in our places of work and recreation.
The water use hierarchy suggests a decision making sequence for the management of water resources.
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Water restrictions
Ballarat is on Permanent Water Saving Rules from January 2011. Under Permanent Water Saving Rules;
* Water from a hand-held hose may be used at any time provided the hose is fitted with a trigger nozzle and is leak free.
* Residential or commercial gardens and lawns may be watered with a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can at any time; or by means of a watering system between the hours of 6pm - 10am on any day.
* Public gardens and lawns and playing surfaces may be watered with a hand-held hose, bucket or watering can at any time; or by means of a watering system fitted with a rain or soil moisture sensor between the hours of 6pm - 10am on any day; or in accordance with an approved Water Use Plan.
* Fountains and water features may be used if the fountain or water feature recirculates the water.
* Cleaning of hard surfaces (including; driveways, paths, concrete, tiles, timber decking) may be used where the cleaning is required as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency; or if staining to the surface has developed and then only once a season; or in the course of construction or renovation, and then only by the means of: a high pressure water cleaning devise; or if such a device is not available, a hand-held hose or bucket.
For more information on water restrictions, see the Central Highlands Waterwebsite.
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How to measure your water use
You can assess the amount of water your household uses by reading your water account. Click here for an explanation of Central Highlands accounts and here for details of Central Highlands fees and charges.
More specifically, you can calculate your weekly, daily and per person use by looking at your meter. Click here to find out how to read your meter.
It is recommended we aim to use no more than 155 litres of water per person per day. (An average bucket holds 9 litres of water). In Australia we currently average 222 litres per day per person. Sub Saharan Africans use 15 litres per day.
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How to save water at home
The average family use approximately
- 50% of their water in the bathroom,
- 22% in the laundry,
- 19% in the garden,
- 8% in the kitchen.
Showers use the most water, followed by washing machines.
Therefore, the greatest water savings in the home are achieved by:
- installing water efficient shower heads
- Having shorter showers
- Using front loading washing machines
- Only doing full loads of washing
- Undertaking water saving gardening practices
Click here for more water saving ideas for the home.
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How to save water in your business
Business and industry can significantly reduce costs by considering water saving, reusing and recycling options. The method used and the quantity of water that can be saved will depend on the type of business.
Information about options for capturing and using rain water, reusing greywater, treated sewage and industrial waste are lised on EPA Victoria's website.
Information for specific businesses including the farming sector is available on the State Government Our Water Our Future website.
A funding program for water saving initiatives by industry and organisations is available through Victoria's Smart Water Fund.
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Rebates for water saving products
Living Victoria Water Rebate Program from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2013. Information for this rebate program can be found on the State Government water website www.water.vic.gov.au/saving.
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How everyone can help protect water quality
When it rains, water runs off out roofs, driveways, footpaths and roads into stormwater drains. The stormwater drains carry this water straight into our creeks, rivers and lakes. Increasingly, stormwater is being harvested and redirected for specific uses. In Ballarat an important stormwater harvesting project is the Lake Wendouree Supply project.
Anything that stormwater collects along the way affects the quality or health of the water and is sometimes called stormwater pollution. This can include rubbish, grass clipping, cigarette butts, dog poo, sediment, chemicals and fertilisers.
Everyone can help avoid stormwater pollution. For example:
- Sweep pathways and shopfront areas and pick up the refuse rather than sweeping or hosing it into the gutter.
- When undertaking building or gardening projects, stockpile soils and sands on site, not on the nature strip, footpath or road.
- Never pour chemicals or oils into drains.
- Put cigarette butts in the bin.
- Collect leaves and grass clippings and put them on garden beds or in compost.
- Pick up after your dog if they poo in the street.
http://dogspatch.html
- Wash your car (if water restrictions allow) on a grassed area rather than on the road. Or use a car wash that recycles water.
- Don;t litter. Report those who do - Litter Report Line on 1800 35 25 55
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How Council is conserving water quality and reducing water use in its own operations
The City of Ballarat has been very active in implementing water saving initiatives in recent years. Council is aiming for a sustained 40% reduction in water use in its own operations compared to 1999/2000 usage levels. A target 15% reduction in community water use and 25% in water use for all new developments us also aimed for.
Actions to achieve these goals are set out in Council's Water Action Plan andSustainability Strategy. Stormwater quality is being managed according to the best practice principles.
Some of the many actions Council have undertaken to conserve water resources to date include:
- Treated waste water is used to water 6 sports ovals and to supply Lake Wendouree saving up to 40 megalitres of water per year. (1 megalitre is 1,000,000 litres or 1,000 cubic metres).
- Bores have been developed at 9 sites to utilize groundwater.
- A range of measures have been taken to irrigate sports grounds efficiently.
- Stormwater is harvested to irrigate ovals and gardens and to refill Lake Wendouree.
- Pool filter backwash water re-use treatment plant are used at Ballarat Aquatic Centre and Eureka Pool. Backwash water at other pools is used to irrigate garden areas.
- All showers at 50 metre pools utilize water efficient shower heads.
- Water tanks have been installed at teh Operations Depot and no potable water is used to wash down trucks and plant. Over 30 waterless urinals have been installed in high use areas.
- Water sensitive landscaping and gardening practices are being employed in parks and gardens.
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