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Westernport Water’s ‘Water-Watcha’ wins friendsA national group of water experts has backed a water auditing system proposed by Westernport Water’s Managing Director, David Mawer. By S - 17th December 2007 - Back to News The Australia-first system, developed with backing from the Sydney University of Technology, has won support from the Savewater Alliance.
The ‘Water-Watcha’ proposal involves water auditors judging the water conservation measures of large tourist events and presenting their data as a scorecard.
The audit is conducted one to two months before the event and awards it a star rating, much like fuel consumption stars on modern cars.
The star rating leads to an accreditation standard.
Already the Savewater Alliance is hoping to apply the audit to the Port Fairy Folk Festival and the Pyramid Rock festival.
The pilot will also be used to make a template that will be circulated to every water authority in Australia.
The Savewater Alliance is a not-for-profit group that works with water businesses, government agencies and companies to deliver water conservation nationally.
Savewater Alliance CEO Nigel Finney said: "David Mawer came to us with the idea. The impetus came from Westernport Water after discussions over issues concerning water use at temporary events.
"David wanted to list all the things that could be done to get events operators away from using potable water. He devised this audit system. There’s never been anything like it before in Australia."
Mr Finney said events organisers, tourism and accommodation operators and others in the leisure industry could also adopt the system and use it to promote their water-saving credentials.
Mr Mawer said: "It is satisfying to see industry-wide take-up of the idea. It shows that Westernport Water is a leader in water conservation nationally."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: susanw@ptarmigan.com.au

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