Congratulations to all Kempsey Shire’s water-users

It is National Water Week (19-25 October) and Kempsey Shire Council is taking the opportunity to pat the Shire’s water-users on the back for their efforts in reducing water consumption over the past year. Figures submitted by Macleay Water to the Department of Water & Energy for its annual water and sewerage performance report for 2007-08 show that despite an increase in the number of water connections in the shire, overall water consumption has decreased by 259 megalitres. In 2007-08 the Shire had 11,117 water connections which used a total of 3014 megalitres of water.

Residents are further encouraged to be wise in National Water Week and take positive action to help protect our water as ‘Clean Water Essential for Life’. Check your household for water leaks. For Water Week adopt one new waterwise practice at home or in your garden. We can all do that! For more information visit the Macleay Water website at www.macleaywater.com.au.

Smart Approved WaterMark   

Attention is also drawn to products and services labelled with the Smart Approved WaterMark. This Australia-wide, not-for-profit program helps you make an informed choice about saving water around your home, garden and pool. WaterMark is sponsoring National Water Week and residents are encouraged to access www.smartwatermark.org to obtain more information.

WATERWISE SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Aldavilla Primary School Accreditation

A big congratulations to Aldavilla Primary School who will receive recognition as a 'Waterwise School' under an innovative water education program currently being rolled out within our shire and on the North Coast, initiated and sponsored by Kempsey Shire Council’s Macleay Water, through a regional partnership of local water authorities and Cascade Environmental Education Centre.

During National Water Week at a special school assembly on Thursday, 23rd October 2008 from 12 noon, students at the Aldavilla Public School will receive recognition as a 'Waterwise School'.

David Munday, Principal of Aldavilla Primary said “It is an extremely worthwhile, educational experience for all our students. Environmentally very powerful in tackling the issues that we all face around water conservation, sustainability and responsible usage. Learning outcomes for students have been transferred into their homes with students encouraging parents to conserve water in ways they observed and learnt about. At Aldavilla Public School we hope this will be an important ongoing component of our curriculum.”

Photographic Competition Entries on Display at Library

Entries in the Macleay Water ‘Clean Water Essential for Life’ photographic competition will be on display at Kempsey Library during this week.

The winning entries have been judged by two well known local professional photographers: Scott Whitehair who is an ex Sydney Morning Herald and Macleay Argus Photographer; and Leo Meier who is one of Australia’s leading photographers and has had his photographic work featured in 40 books and several magazines.

The exhibition is worth a look, so call into Kempsey Library this week and see how local photographers capture the theme.