Media Release

03 Aug 2006

School Rainwater Tank Rebate Available Until 2008

Sydney Water’s Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate Program will be available until July 2008.

The Rainwater Tanks in Schools Program is part of the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Water Plan to help save more than 145 billion litres of water a year.

Since the program began in April 2004, 152 schools have bought a rainwater tank and received a rebate of up to $2,500.

More than $375,000 in rebates have been paid to schools under the program, helping to save around 30 million litres of water each year.

Schools typically use rainwater tanks to provide water for gardens, ovals and toilet flushing.

There has been an increase of more than 600 per cent in applications this year and schools will be able to join the program up until July 2008 in line with the residential Rainwater Tank Program.

Rainwater tanks are a practical way to save precious drinking water and schools have adopted the program as a valuable educational tool to teach children how to use water wisely and look after the environment.

To be eligible for a rainwater tank rebate schools must:

• Be a public or private primary or secondary school (Sydney Water must be the school’s water provider).
  
• Purchase a rainwater tank with a minimum capacity of 10,000 litres or 4,500 litres for small schools with 300 pupils or less.
  
• Connect the rainwater tank to either a fixed irrigation system and/or the toilets and comply with local council requirements.
  
• Complete a water conservation education program within 12 months of receiving the rebate or have done so in the past two years.

Schools in Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains wanting to apply for a rainwater tank rebate can contact Sydney Water on 1800 724 650.

Rainwater Tank rebates of up to $650 are also available for households. More than 23,000 rebates worth $7 million have been paid since the residential program began in 2002.

The Home Page contains links to information about other rebates available.

 

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