City of Cockburn

City of Cockburn
PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC
Western Australia

Telephone: (08) 9411 3444

Office hours
8:30am to 4:30pm
Monday - Friday
Closed Public Holidays

General Enquiries
If you are not sure where to direct your general enquiry please drop us a line via our web form or email customer@cockburn.wa.gov.au

Water

Australia is the world’s most driest inhabited continent.  It is essential we protect this precious resource. Good building and landscape design can help to conserve water and protect it from contamination.  The energy used to produce and deliver drinkable water to Perth homes is enormous, so by saving water you will also be saving energy and reducing greenhouse gasses. 

REDUCING WATER USE

Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce water and energy use inside and outside the home:

  • Choose water efficient showers, toilets, taps and appliances.  Flow restrictors can be installed on many existing fittings at low cost
  • Fix leaks as soon as they are noticed.  A dripping tap can waste many litres of water a day
  • Reduce lawn and paving and plant local native species – see the landscaping tab for more details on how to make your garden more water-wise
  • Re-use water where possible this can be as simple as collecting water from a shower in a bucket or installing a grey water re-use system

For more information on water saving tips please visit the City of Cockburn’s water campaign at www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/water

GREYWATER RE-USE SYSTEMS

Greywater systems allow householders to conserve water by re-using wastewater from bathrooms and laundries (greywater) on gardens and lawns on their property.  Greywater is best suited to:

  • Fruit trees where fruit is above ground
  • Nutrient and water-loving exotic plants that can tolerate alkaline water (e.g. not azaleas, gardenias or camellias)
  • Lawn

To learn more about greywater use in Cockburn, visit the City’s Health Services webpage:  http://www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/Council_Services/Health_Services/Effluent_Disposal/default.asp#greywater    

RAINWATER

Rainwater can be collected and used as delicious chlorine free drinking water or to water your garden.  Some things to consider when purchasing a rainwater tank  are:

  • The intended use(s) of rainwater
  • The amount of water needed to supply these uses
  • Your roof area – as this will determine how much water you can collect 

If using rainwater for drinking, maintenance is essential to avoid health risks.  See the City’s Health Services ‘Rain Tank Safety’ brochure to find out more: http://www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/Council_Services/Health_Services/Safe_Water/default.asp