Sydney Apartment Dwellers Win Big Under Water Saving Program

The equivalent of 150 Olympic sized swimming pools of water and over half a million dollars a year is being saved in high rise apartment buildings in Sydney under a water efficiency program being offered by Sydney Water.

Twelve high rise apartment buildings have undertaken Sydney Water’s WaterFix Strata service over the past three years, with a combined yearly saving on water bills of over $550,000 and water savings totalling 318 million litres a year.

Project Manager Tony Robinson says this is just one of the many ways Sydney Water is working to help customers save water during the drought.

“The Waterfix Strata program helps reduce strata customers’ water bills through the repair and replacement of leaking taps and toilets. We also replace old single flush toilets with modern dual flush models and replace old shower heads with more water efficient fittings,” said Mr Robinson.

“Customers pay nothing up-front and do not see an increased bill. The water efficiency upgrades are paid for over time in line with the value of the water they save.

“After this time, which normally takes around 2-3 years, the Body Corporate will see significant reductions in their water bills.”

Sydney Water works with strata managers and evaluates each building to assess the possible water savings through the building’s water use history and water efficiency benchmark tools.

Only eligible buildings with the potential for good water savings are selected, with every apartment in a building then fitted with devices and leaks fixed.

Oaks Harmony Apartments in Haymarket completed the program last year.

Strata Manager Billy Glover says they’re now saving over 30 million litres a year and are achieving a bill saving for the building of over $61,000.

“Plumbers accessed every apartment and checked for leaks. Old and leaking taps were repaired or replaced, and all shower heads were replaced with water efficient fittings,” said Mr Glover.

“We saw a reduction of nearly 28% in water use last month, compared to pre Waterfix.”

City of Sydney Council is supporting the WaterFix Strata program through their Smart Green Apartments program however Strata is available to all apartments across Greater Sydney.

If strata managers are interested, they’re urged to contact Tony Robinson at (02) 8849 5119 or email your contact details to waterfixstrata@sydneywater.com.au.