Our water saving projects

How we're saving water

Water is a precious resource that we can all help conserve. We've implemented a range of projects to use water more efficiently.

In our buildings and amenities blocks we've:

  • replaced fittings with water efficient ones
  • installed rainwater tanks.

In our gardens, reserves and fields we:

  • use bore water for irrigation at suitable sites
  • install low flow drip irrigation and smart irrigation systems into new landscaped areas
  • use local native plants and other drought tolerant species
  • mulch our garden beds
  • protect outdoor taps from inappropriate use
  • review irrigation needs for sports fields
  • use smart monitoring to identify and respond to leaks and faults

In our new infrastructure projects we:

  • incorporate water sensitive urban design elements.

Combined, these actions have reduced Council’s annual drinking water usage by over 79,000 kilolitres. This represents a saving of 70% and demonstrates our commitment to reducing water consumption.

Water Tank_Holdsworth_525.jpg

Rainwater harvesting

Rainwater harvesting involves collecting rainwater from roof tops, storing the water in tanks and using it for irrigation, watering gardens and flushing toilets.

Collecting and using rain water helps Council reduce its reliance on clean drinking water and helps reduce the impact of stormwater runoff on roads, parks and drainage infrastructure.

Woollahra Council has rainwater tanks installed at 24 Council sites with total rainwater capture and reuse capacity over 430,000 litres.

Rainwater tanks reduce water costs and stormwater runoff, and help improve the water quality of our local creeks and harbour.

Saving water at Holdsworth Community Centre

We installed rainwater tanks and waterless urinals at the Holdsworth Community Centre and a water wise organic garden at Holdsworth Communal Garden, saving 700,000 litres of water annually. This project received support through NSW Government's Climate Change Fund

Stormwater harvesting

Stormwater harvesting and reuse is the collection, treatment, storage and use of stormwater run-off from urban areas. It differs from rainwater harvesting as the run-off is collected from drains or creeks, rather than roofs.

We have stormwater harvesting projects in a range of locations to reduce our use of drinking water by using the recycled water to water public parks, gardens, and sports fields.

Stormwater harvesting also reduces stress on our local streams and creeks by capturing some of the pollutants and nutrients that would otherwise enter waterways from stormwater flows.

Harvesting stormwater at Parsley Bay

The Parsley Bay Stormwater Harvesting Project was designed and constructed i\to harvest and reuse stormwater from Parsley Bay Creek for irrigation of the grass at Parsley Bay.

Parsley Bay Creek receives water from the surrounding catchment through council’s stormwater network. The creek then flows into Sydney Harbour.

The Parsley Bay Stormwater Harvesting Project captures the stormwater before it enters the harbour and reuses approximately 1,200,000 litres of creek water per year to help irrigate the grass area at Parsley Bay.

Water is harvested from the creek and diverted into a well where it is screened for rubbish then pumped across the park. The water is then pre-treated using a filters and UV disinfection before being stored in a 30KL irrigation storage tank. Water is then available in the tank ready to irrigate the park as needed.

Smart Monitoring

We use live monitoring at our highest water using sites to ensure quick detection and action for leaks, faults, and misused taps. 

Reporting leaks

  • If you spot a leak you can report it through Sydney Water
  • If you find a leak in your home or garden you need to contact a licensed plumber.
  • You can also contact Sydney Water's WaterFix Residential service to fix leaking taps, toilets and showerheads.

Floodplain Management

We have comprehensive floodplain studies available for the Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Paddington and Watsons Bay catchments. Our Floodplain Risk Management Committee will be undertaking a flood study for Vaucluse.

 Find out more about floodplain management.

Back to top