Minister's public appeal to turn Perth sprinklers off in winter

Water Minister Graham Jacobs has made a public appeal for all Perth residents, local government and commercial companies to turn off their sprinkler systems this winter.

"I make this appeal for everyone to accept as a civic duty the need to turn off the reticulated watering systems as we move through what appears to be a below-average rainfall period for the Perth metropolitan region this year," Dr Jacobs said.

The Minister said the frustrating and disappointing aspect from the Water Corporation's point of view was that throughout summer and well into autumn, daily water consumption was less than what would have been expected and well on track to saving the anticipated 45 billion litres through the sprinkler roster and other water demand measures. 

"However, from that time on, despite the long warm and dry spell, during which it could be expected consumption would be a little higher, it became much higher and, until last week, remained ridiculously high," he said.

"It's still far too high and industry groups have supported the corporation in its statements that sprinkler watering is not necessary at this time of the year.  Irrigation experts have stated outright that there is enough moisture in the mornings for there to be no need for sprinkler watering now. 

"Consumption in the past week has dropped to a still high 500 million litres a day compared to the unsustainably high 700 million litres and into the 800 million litres a day of a couple of weeks ago. Despite this, there are possibly 20 per cent of householders with their reticulation systems on and using them on their allocated days even though it is completely unnecessary and a waste of water.  

"I urge these people to turn their systems off now." 

Referring directly to the 8 billion litres above target on expected consumption for the year to June 30, 2009, Dr Jacobs said a critical element of Western Australia's overall water supply strategy was to restrain water demand and, vital to that, saving 45 billion litres of water each year on anticipated demand through the sprinkler roster and other initiatives. 

"That hasn't happened in 2008-09 and we are almost 8 billion litres above the target," he said.

"The State Government supports the Water Corporation's concerns that, if we can't quickly get back on track, serious consideration will be given to a winter sprinkler ban.  

"This idea would not be a panic move but a realistic reaction to the current situation.  The State needs to bank water now for the summer, even if we do get good winter rains.

"It's a common sense approach."