The WaterSmart voluntary behaviour change program approach was based on the philosophy of ‘helping people to help themselves’ and encouraged people to think about their own water needs and problems and finding ways to solve them.

Purpose

The purpose of the program was essentially three-fold:

• to bring about change in participants’ behaviour and use of water
• to understand the needs of participants as articulated in the conversations
• to learn about benefits of the approach, consider the difficulties, and recommend changes for future programs.

The changes

Those people involved in the program for the 12 month period, and had conversations and further interactions over time, reported significant changes that they made to the efficiency of their appliances and fixtures as well as to their behaviour.

People changed appliances and fixtures

In Yarra Valley Water’s service area, over 8,000 households participated in the WaterSmart Program. Of these, 77% of participants said the program helped them save water.

During the program:

• 45% installed a water-saving showerhead
• 64% said they used a shower timer or timed themselves in the shower
• 14% installed water flow restrictors.

People reduced water use

Overall, average water consumption has reduced since the beginning of the program.

Further analysis of water use will be conducted, after summer and when participants have had a chance to implement further changes.

Finally, and most importantly, lessons have been learnt and documented to support further development of water conservation programs for the future.