Council's Action on Saving Water

Frankston City Council is committed to sustainable water use. Over the past several years, the drought and water restrictions have intensified Council's efforts to conserve water.

In 2006, Council adopted a Sustainable Water Use Plan. The plan aims to minimise drinking water in Council assets and use 45% less drinking water compared to the volume of water used in 2000-2001.

Below are some of the strategies undertaken by Council to use water more wisely:

• Undertaking an annual water audit program and implementation of water saving recommendations in Council facilities (e.g. water efficient showerheads, flow restrictors, dual flush toilets, waterless urinals, push-button timers, spring loaded taps, waterwise gardening, rainwater tanks for toilet flushing and irrigation)
• Investigating and implementing projects to use alternative water sources for irrigating recreation reserves, garden beds and street trees, including the use of Class C and A recycled water from the South Eastern Outfall
• Developing a Municipal Drought Response Plan to identify where further water savings can be achieved and provide future direction for our open space network including parks and leisure services
• Developing an internal water reporting system for performance based monitoring of Council's water use and achievement against targets

Over the past several years, Council has implemented a range of actions to advance sustainable water use in its own operations.

Some of these actions include:

• Recycled Water Scheme - development of infrastructure to use recycled water on Council's recreation reserves such as Ballam Park, Jubilee Park and Lloyd Park
• Sustainable Water Use Project (Stormwater and Urban Conservation Fund) -collection of rainwater at the Operations Centre for high pressure cleaning of Council vehicles, flushing of toilets and to supply water for irrigating trees and plants around Frankston City
• Drought Proofing Reserves - measures include changing several sports grounds from cool to warm season grasses, upgrading irrigation systems, applying wetting agents and aeration techniques
• Water Saving in Aquatic Centres (Smart Water Fund Project) - implementation of water saving measures in Council's two aquatic centers, including the collection of rainwater for the flushing of toilets and showers, installation of pool blankets, push button taps on showers and taps, flow regulators on showers and taps, retrofit of existing single flush toilets to dual flush systems and timer and rain sensor control on irrigations sprinklers
• Rainwater tanks - Installation of tanks at a number of Council facilities to capture, store and use rainwater for toilet flushing and irrigation
• Tap valves - Installation of flow restriction valves in Council's sporting pavilions and other facilities to reduce water flow in taps and showers
• Dual flush toilets and waterless urinals - installation of dual flush toilets in Council facilities and waterless urinals at the Frankston Arts Centre

Council also supports a range of community programs to encourage water saving efforts in Frankston City.

 Related Information

• Sustainable Water Use Plan
• Saving Water
• Stormwater
• Showerhead Exchange Program
• Grants and Rebates
• Education and Projects

For further information please contact the Environment Department on 9784 1747 or e-mail environment@frankston.vic.gov.au.