They’re saving water – Scouts’ Honour

By Sarah Weitnauer in Heroes on 3 June 2011
Scouts standing in front of a newly-installed rainwater tank

The average Scout Group has used between 80-100% less water since installation and saved between $100 and $700 on their annual water bill.

Caring for the environment is one of the Scout Laws, and Scouts Australia were rewarded for upholding this law last year by winning the savewater! award® for Community Groups. How? By implementing a program that saves around 100 megalitres of drinking water each year!

Scouts Australia helps young people aged 6 to 25 learn and grow through a range of activities including camping, leadership development, community service and environmental projects. To celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2007, Scouts Australia implemented the “100 Year Water Tank Project”, which saw the installation of a 5000L rainwater tank at every Scout Hall in Australia. Completed in early 2010, 1103 Scout Halls received a tank supplying water to all toilet and bathroom areas for showering and flushing. The average Scout Group has saved 80-100% of its water since installation!

And guess what else? Winning the Community Groups Award meant Scouts Australia won a $1000 cash prize! I bet your community group would like to be in on that!

Scouts Australia, receiving the 2010 savewater! awards® Community Groups Award

Scouts Australia, receiving the 2010 savewater! awards® Community Groups Award from Paul Bilston, National Sales & Marketing Manager, Interbath

The national 2011 savewater! awards® call for entries have now opened, giving you and your community group the opportunity to showcase your water savings efforts. The savewater! awards® are now in their ninth year, and have emerged as Australia’s leading awards for water sustainability, recognising and rewarding excellence in water conservation and efficiency.

Entries for the national 2011 savewater! awards® close at 5pm (AEST) on Monday 8 August 2011. Check out www.savewater.com.au and show us how you have been upholding Scout Law by downloading an application form and submitting an entry now! Good luck!

Thousands of Scouts gathered together

For more information on the ’100 Year Water Tank Project’, head to http://www.savewater.com.au/programs-and-events/savewater-awards/past-winners-finalists/2010-winners/community-groups

Know of a community group that’s doing great things in water efficiency? Comment below!