Melbourne Targets 155 Litres per Day

Monday, 24 November 2008

Melburnians are being asked to get behind a new water saving campaign to reduce the city’s average residential consumption to less than 155 litres per person per day. 

Stage 3a water restrictions will also remain in place to support the voluntary Target 155 campaign.

Premier John Brumby said the Target 155 campaign was a balanced way to ensure Melbourne has enough water until the major water projects come online from mid-2009.

“Unprecedented drought, climate change and population growth mean Melbourne is facing severe water shortages,” Mr Brumby said.

“The Government is increasing Melbourne’s water supplies by 240 billion litres – or more than half of our current water use - to ensure we don’t run out of water. However, until these major water projects are finished we need to step up our water saving efforts.

“Target 155 combined with Stage 3a water restrictions will achieve similar savings to Stage 4 while offering the community greater flexibility on how to achieve the target.” 

Target 155 is based on a highly successful campaign in south-east Queensland which saw a large reduction in residential water consumption. A similar program was also used in Ballarat.

Based on current consumption levels the average person in Melbourne uses around 180 litres per day over summer while the average use throughout the year is approximately 165 litres.

Mr Brumby said Melbourne is a year closer to the completion of the major water projects.

“We need a diverse range of solutions to meet our water challenges including non-rainfall dependent sources of water and ongoing water conservation,” he said.

“Our major projects include the Tarago Reservoir reconnection in mid-2009, water savings from irrigation upgrades via the Sugarloaf Pipeline in 2010 and Australia’s largest desalination plant.

“We are also using more recycled water than any other city and will have another 100 billion litres of recycled water from 2012 with the $300 million Eastern Treatment Plant upgrade.

Melbourne’s water storages are currently at 33.3 per cent compared with 40.2 per cent at the same time last year. While we had an average of at least 75 mm of rainfall in the catchments over the weekend, the amount of runoff is limited by the dry conditions.

Water Minister Tim Holding said are many measures to help residents reach the 155 litres per person, per day target.

“The combination of Stage 3a and Target 155 means limited garden and sportsgrounds watering will continue and there will be a greater focus on reducing indoor water use,” Mr Holding said.

“If personalised targets can't be regularly met then mandatory targets or Stage 4 water restrictions may be introduced.” 
“The easiest way to save water in the home is to shorten showers to four minutes and get a free 3-star water efficient showerhead through a Victorian Government exchange program.

“The Brumby Government also offers rebates for installing water saving devices like rainwater tanks, greywater systems and dual flush toilets.”

Monitoring of Target 155 will commence on 1 December, with progress reported weekly.

The campaign will include print, radio and television advertisements, an information pack for all Melbourne households and a new website, which will provide water saving tips and help individuals to track their water consumption. The campaign will cost approximately $5.4 million over summer.

Regional water authorities, who are responsible for setting water restrictions in towns across Victoria, have the option of adopting a similar personalised target campaign if appropriate in their region.

Mr Holding said small and large businesses would be called upon to support Target 155.

“A support program will be rolled out during summer to encourage smaller businesses to take action, while larger businesses are already required to develop a mandatory water management action plan (WaterMAP).

“Water authorities will today talk with industry groups to enlist their support for the campaign.” 

Briefings will be held with the a range of groups including the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Industry Group, Australian Hotels Association, Nursery and Garden Industry of Victoria, Municipal Association of Victoria and Master Builders Association.

There is a range of ways that the daily target can be achieved including:

• Reducing showers from seven minutes to four minutes saving 42 litres per person;
• Installing a water efficient showerhead saving 20 litres per person; and
• One less load of washing a week saving a family of four five litres per person.

More details about Target 155 and Stage 3a water restrictions and tips on how to reduce your household water consumption are available from www.target155.vic.gov.au or by contacting your local water authority.