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It’s time to chat – water! National Water Week is just around the corner and we want to get conversation flowing within households across our community.
Each October, National Water Week (21 – 27 October) makes a splash across Australia, inspiring individuals, communities and organisations to work together to build community awareness and understanding around water related topics and challenges.
This year, council is joining the cause to empower the local community and promote this year’s theme - Water for me, water for all.
This theme encourages young people and the wider community to think about how we use water and how we can protect it so we have it in the future.
The Richmond River catchment is lucky enough to have great quality water but it’s easy to take this precious resource for granted. Understanding the importance of water will help save water and create better waterways for future generations.
Prizes
Council is offering families who get talking about their water usage habits an incentive this Water Week. Families have the chance to win:
- A double pass to Wet N Wild pass
- Ten-ticket pass to Ballina Memorial Pool and Alstonville Aquatic Centre
- One-day ticket to Ballina Memorial Pool’s Waterslide.
Entry
To enter you just need to answer a few water usage questions – like how many litres it takes to fill an average bath? You must be a Ballina Shire resident to enter. Entries close Friday 2 November. See full terms and conditions below.
Terms and conditions
To participate in the competition, the Participant must be an Eligible PersonTo be an eligible person, the person must reside in the Ballina Shire and have completed the online survey.
Ballina Shire Council employees are not eligible.The prize includes, first, second and third prize. This is a wet n wild double pass, 10-pass tickets to ballina memorial pool and Alstonville aquatic centre and a ballina waterslide day pass - respectively.
The prizes are not transferable, refundable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash Competition closes 2 November and winners will be drawn at random Friday 5 November 2018.
To be eligible respondents must provide their contact details within the online survey Entry is via the online survey available on ballinawater.com.au
The winner will be contacted via the telephone details provided in the survey. If contact cannot be made within a reasonable timeframe (two weeks) then a redraw will occur.
Council has the right for to disqualify any entrants or entries where you reasonably suspect any unlawful or improper conduct, such as infringing a third party’s intellectual property rights, or if there has otherwise been a breach of the competition terms and conditions By participating in the Competition, the Participant agrees to these Terms and Conditions Only one entry per person.
Entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted and joint submissions are not allowed. If a participant is under the age of 18 years, they will have deemed to have obtained the permission of their parent or guardian an entry into the competition and for the Promoter to use their entry as set out in these Terms and Conditions.
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If you can’t find your property’s water meter chances are we can’t either.
Each quarter, water meter readers visit properties across the shire to record water usage for your quarterly bill. But sometimes water meters can get lost amongst dirt, landscaping or overgrown grass. This makes it next to impossible for Council contractors to locate and read a property’s water usage.
When a water meter can’t be located Council staff will contact the resident and then return to the property to try again. Unfortunately, this impacts on Council resources and inevitably costs the ratepayer.
It's easy to show us your meter! Simply, clear away grass or any other obstructions from around your meter. Another idea is to clearly mark your water meter’s location with a stake and red ribbon.
Water meters are generally read in mid March, June, September and December. So next quarter, remember to find your meter and clear away any obstructions.
For more information, call Council on 1300 864 444.
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Brook’s chooks and vegie patch are blooming thanks to the fresh rain water from his new water tank. As our drier months begin the Alstonville resident is pleased to know his delicious snap peas and fresh bok choy will continue to happily grow soaking up his tank water.
Brook uses his water tank to water his garden, clean his car and for his chooks.
Brook saved $1,000 using Rous County Council’s (our bulk water supplier) water tank rebate and was only out of pocket $425 for the cost of his 10,000-litre tank. He is also now saving on his quarterly water bill which has dropped to just $30.
But Brook says although the savings and rebate are a good incentive it wasn’t the main reason he installed the water tank. “I am a big believer in water conservation because water is life. I also enjoy knowing I am decreasing my environmental foot print."
“The rebate process was very easy and I've been suggesting my friends and family also take advantage of Rous’ generous rebate,” Brook added.
By installing a water tank your family could save 50,000 litres a year plus hundreds of dollars off your water bill.
To take advantage of Rous County Council’s water tank rebate program telephone 02 6623 3800 or visit rous.nsw.gov.au
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Since 2016, residents in Lennox Head have been enjoying crystal clear recycled water which was the first of its kind in regional NSW.
This innovative water project was a long time coming and involved a range of Council staff who worked proactively to offer the sustainable water service to our community. Last month this program, and Council’s Water and Wastewater Treatment Engineer Thomas Lees, was recognised by the Water Industry Operators Association at their annual industry conference in Tamworth.
Thomas won best overall paper for his summary of Lennox Head's recycled water service. Congratulations to Thomas and our Water and Wastewater Team for their winning effort!
Click here to find out more about recycled water.
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Council has recently commenced the first round of routine plumbing inspections for homes in Ballina Shire that are fitted with recycled water plumbing.
Over the coming weeks, Council's Water and Wastewater staff aim to inspect around 200 homes due for their five-yearly inspection. Council will directly contact property owners who are due for the plumbing inspection, which should only take staff 20-minutes to complete.
These regular plumbing audits are essential to comply with the Section 60 approval (Local Government Act) to supply Recycled Water to residential homes in our shire.
According to this approval homes are required to have a routine plumbing inspection every five years and at any time the house is sold. The first round of audits occurred nearly five years ago, and this round of inspections will ensure we are up-to-date with this requirement. From previous experience, we expect compliance levels to be very high but if issues to arise, such as missing signage, Council staff will work collaborative with home-owners to resolve any issues.
Any major issues, such as incorrect plumbing resulting in a cross-connection will be made safe on-site by our staff.
This activity will grow into the future as the number of recycled water connections grow to the ultimate planned figure of over 9,000 connections (currently almost 1,400).
More information
Contact our Water and Wastewater Team on 1300 864 444.