Grants open for water education projects

6 March 2009

Minister for Water, Phillip Costa, announced $375,000 in grants under the NSW Government's Water for Life Education Program for councils and community organisations throughout greater Sydney to increase awareness of water wise practices.

To be eligible for grant funding of between $5,000 and $50,000, projects will need to improve water use efficiency to reduce demand or build the capacity of the people of greater Sydney to play an informed and active role in working towards a sustainable water future.

Mr Costa said improved awareness of water wise practices, such as increased recycling, modifying water use at home and at work, as well as alternative supplies, were all issues to be promoted through the water education projects.

Initiatives funded under the grants will deliver and support community water education projects, assist local government to engage the community in a wider range of water awareness programs, as well as protect and restore water catchment areas.

Presently, households use about 70 per cent of the water supplied in the Sydney region, while business and government account for approximately 30 per cent. With highly variable rainfall, the propspect of a growing population and uncertainty about how climate change will affect water supplies, education has an important role to play in encouraging people to save water. Education, together with water efficiency, desalination, and increased water recycling, will help to secure greater Sydney's long-term water future.

Applications for funding close at 5pm on Friday 24 April 2009.

Further information is available on the Education projects funding package page.