'Tackling Water Saving'
The Tackling Water Saving project is a joint initiative between Leichhardt Council and Balmain Leagues Club to reduce water usage and encourage water saving actions in the community.
The project is centred around a water saving rugby league match at Leichhardt Oval (more details are in the promotional activities section below).
Leichhardt Oval, home of the Balmain Tigers and Wests Tigers rugby league teams, is the second highest water using site in the Leichhardt Council area and under current water restrictions it is difficult for the ground to meet the standards required by the National Rugby League. To address this, grant funding was successfully attained through the Commonwealth Government Community Water Grants fund. This funding provided for the installation of 450,000 litres of underground rainwater tanks, which receive water from the main stadium roof, carpark and hill, as well as drainage from the playing field. When full, the tanks provide enough irrigation water for the oval for up to 6 weeks without rain in the summer! A more efficient irrigation system for the field was also included in the grant (including automatic controls and sensors to cut off excess watering) which allowed for an upgrade to the field drainage. So not only will there be huge water savings but the players will also benefit from the upgraded playing field, which is safer and more durable.
An aerial view of the project can be viewed here: 
Tackling Water Saving_aerial view of project site (187.24kB)
The ‘Tackling Water Saving’ project promotes the water savings occurring at Leichhardt Oval and encourages everyone to play a part in using water wisely by tackling water saving on their home turf. Although the infrastructure installed at Leichhardt Oval is a large project, not all water saving initiatives need to be – even small steps towards water conservation help. If everyone does even just one more water saving act, it will make a big collective difference to help secure Sydney’s water supply into the future. This is particularly important as water is a scarce resource and Sydney, as it expands, is vulnerable to water shortages in times of extreme droughts and shortage of rainfall. Water conservation and water security are crucial to our future. Plus, by saving water you could also save money!
Please visit the Water for Life and Sydney Water websites for more information on initiatives and water saving actions that will further help secure our water supply into the future.
Progress
Installation of the rainwater tanks and upgrade of the playing field at Leichhardt Oval was completed prior to the commencement of the 2009 rugby league season. The field is now in full use not only by the Wests Tigers and Balmain Tigers rugby league teams, but also by other sporting and community groups.
Promotion of the new water saving infrastructure at Leichhardt Council is now underway. Keep an eye out for the 'Tackling Water Saving' logo and advertising at Balmain Leagues Club, Leichhardt Oval and in publications by Council and the Tigers. An up-to-date list of promotional activities occurring can be viewed in the next section.
News Items
This section will be updated with media releases and more, which promote the ‘Tackling Water Saving’ project!
Media release_130709 (29.98kB)
Perimeter signs at Leichhardt Oval (23.22kB)
Corflute signs at Leichhardt Oval (45.75kB)
Water Saving Checklist (126.47kB)
Poster for Water Survey at Balmain Leagues Club (120.30kB)
Children's colouring-in design (344.53kB)
Funding for the ‘Tackling Water Saving’ project has been provided by the Australian Government’s Community Water Grants, which complements state government funding already received to upgrade Leichhardt Oval as a whole.