Page 23 - MPA

Darwin Leak Check program to save one billion litres of water
Living Water Smart, an initiative of the Northern Territory’s Power and Water Corporation, has recently launched an innovative residential Leak Check program to help Darwin residents save water. The Darwin plumbing sector is partnering with the program to provide services through Living Water Smart’s new $200 Leak Find and Fix rebate – and more local plumbers are needed.
Most people who know Darwin, know that it enjoys a wet and a dry season, where most of the annual rain fall happens over a four to five month period between November and April. Approximately three quarters of the city’s residents believe this leads to a water supply that is infinite, but this is a myth. The Darwin region is using more water than can be captured and supplied, and leaks are wasting billions of litres of water annually. In fact Living Water Smart has found that one in eight homes has a water leak wasting an average of 500,000 litres or $1000 per year. The Leak Check program aims to check 30,000 residential water meters by the end of 2018 for signs of household leaks.
More than 10% of homes have already been checked with leaks found wasting over 90 million litres. So far the biggest leak found was 3.2 million litres per year, which undetected would have cost the homeowner over $6,000. Through the partnership with local plumbers, the $200 Leak Find and Fix rebate will ensure residents save money on the costs of leak repairs, and in turn save on their water bill. Eleven local plumbers have already signed up as registered suppliers and Living Water Smart hope more will join the program.
‘This is a great initiative for all involved parties – our customers save money, it generates additional business for local plumbers and we help preserve our precious water resource,’ says Power and Water’s Senior Manager Client Services, Jacqui O’Neill. While offering the leak check service, Living Water Smart also aims to help residents understand what they can do to identify leaks themselves through using a simple 3-Step Leak Check.The $200 rebate is available through a registered supplier whether one of the Living Water Smart Leak Checkers finds a leak or residents do so themselves. ‘Our engagement across government, with industry and the community is key to our success. Partnering with key industry associations like The Master Plumbers Association assists us in connecting with professionals across the business sector,’ says Jacqui O’Neill.
Invitation to Darwin plumbers
Living Water Smart invites Darwin plumbers to become a registered supplier for the Leak Find and Fix rebate. If your business is based in Darwin and you would like to find out more call (08) 8995 5861, email info@livingwatersmart.com.au or visit the website at livingwatersmart.com.au.
What’s on offer for plumbers?
• The ability to offer a value-added service to your customers
• Supporting promotional collateral to help you promote your leak find and fix services
to existing and new customers
• Promotion of your business through our marketing channels - website, social media
and our Customer Service Centres in Darwin city and Palmerston
• Supporting promotional campaigns about the Leak Check program on TV, radio, print
and social media
• Additional exposure of your business through good news stories on our website and
through local media.
Note - Plumbers need to be qualified, licensed and meet the requirements for the NT Plumbers Association.
NORTHERN TERRITORY MEMBERS
Northern Territory
FuLL MEMbErs
Aldirect Plumbing and Gasfitting Pty Ltd Ausplumb NT
Centre Plumbing
Commons Plumbing (NT) Pty Ltd Downright Plumbing & Gas
Fred NT Pty Ltd
Gold Medal (NT) Pty Ltd
Greg Harwood Plumbing and Gasfitting Pty Ltd Mousellis and Sons Pty Ltd
Pacific Plumbing Group
Peter Rintel
Power Projects (NT) Pty Ltd
Selter Shaw Plumbing Plumbing Pty Ltd Stockwell Water & Gas Pty Ltd Symonite Pty Ltd t/a Tap and Drain Doctor
InDustry MEMbErs
Galvins Plumbing Supplies Rhino Industrial Pty Ltd Solahart NT
Territory Plumbing Supplies Pty Ltd Think Water – Winnellie & Virginia Tradelink