Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre’s roof set to capture run off for irrigation

Work on repurposing the roof at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre (ALAC) in Western Australia so that rainwater runoff can be used to irrigated local sporting fields is set to commence.

The City of Albany received a $62,000 Western Australian Government Grant in November for the installation of two 250-kilolitre water tanks and pipe infrastructure that will capture rainwater from the roof for irrigation of ovals as well as being used for the Centre’s toilet flushing systems.

Expected to save about three million litres of water a year and save about $19,000 annually, the Council will contribute $32,250 to the project.

City of Albany Executive Director Community Services, Nathan Watson said an estimated 520-kilolitres of rainwater would be harvested through the project, advising “the City is very pleased to receive this grant which will allow ALAC to decrease its use of the town’s limited potable water supply.

“As an endorsed Water Corporation Gold Waterwise Aquatic Centre, we are always looking for opportunities to be more efficient with our water usage.

“This initiative allows us to take another step in reducing our overall water usage while continuing to be a leader in sustainable water practices.”

The water efficiency initiative follows ALAC’s implementation of a biofuel system several years ago to heat the facility’s pools and significantly reduce its gas consumption.

Albany was among nine regional local governments to secure first-round funding from the State and Commonwealth funded $3.2 million Community Water Supplies Partnership Program.

The program provides funding of up to $100,000 for regional communities to secure additional non-potable water sources and tackle the impacts of climate change.

Image: The Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre. Credit: City of Albany.