Yarra Valley Water to help community groups to save water and money

Yarra Valley Water’s Community Water Efficiency Program is helping community organisations with grants of up to $10,000 available to help save water and money.

The program will enable organisations such as community centres and not-for-profit organisations to upgrade their plumbing to save water and redirect money to their work in the community.

The program is one example of how Yarra Valley Water is bringing its purpose to life - to support the health and wellbeing of customers and to create a brighter future for communities and the natural environment - through conserving water.

Organisations that apply for a grant will need to demonstrate how the money will help them to save water and how they will be able to better support their community.

Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Pat McCafferty said that the program would help community organisations to identify simple plumbing improvements that could make a huge difference.

“We’re committed to helping the community we serve to thrive, and sometimes it’s the simplest upgrades that can make a huge difference to an organisation’s water bill.

“These organisations provide really important services to the community, and it’s great that we can help them save money which can be channelled into the work they do,” Mr McCafferty said.

Last year Yarra Valley Water launched a similar program which saw $160,000 of improvements completed amongst the 27 community organisations that received funding.

Many of the organisations were pivotal in supporting community members during coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.

The Mooroolbark Uniting Church was able to upgrade leaking cisterns in the toilet and complete other maintenance work. These works have allowed them to better support the local community, including a large Burmese community, many who have newly arrived in Australia.

The Monkami Centre in Croydon is a disability service used by 130 adults with special needs. Receiving a grant last year enabled them to repair their hot water service, upgrade the tapware and install dual flush toilets.

Applications for Yarra Valley Water’s Community Water Efficiency Program can be lodged at www.yvw.com.au.communitygrants from 19 April to 30 April 2021.