Tamworth region celebrates all things water through National Water Week

With the Tamworth region of northern NSW having endured significant drought conditions in recent year, it is marking National Water Week, and its theme ‘Caring for water and Country’, by celebrating the vital and cultural role of water plays.

Having enjoyed the rain that 2021 has brought, Tamworth Regional Council’s Water Sustainability Officer, Louise Cadell, says throughout the week members of the Gomeroi Community will share their personal connections with water and Country.

Cadell advised “water has become increasingly important to all of our residents over the years, but for our First Nations people it’s been a way of life for more than 65,000 years.

“This week is a great way for everyone to continue to educate themselves around water sustainability, and deepen their understanding of the role the Indigenous community continue to play in protecting and sustaining water and Country.”

Additionally, residents are being encouraged to take on the Water Night Challenge which will help improve water mindfulness.

Council is once again sponsoring the Smart Approved WaterMark (SAWM) event, Water Night, which is being held from midday today until midnight.

New research commissioned by SAWM and conducted by YouGov found the average NSW resident has a tap running for 1 hour 44 minutes per day - 52 more minutes than the Australian per person average.

Cadell added “Water Night is all about challenging residents to become more conscious of how often they turn on the tap in a day.

“The average Australian thinks they turn the tap on nine times a day, but in reality, the figure is much higher as those who sign up to Water Night will quickly find out.”

Households who register for the event could be in with the chance of taking home a raft of water efficient prizes.

The summer of 2019/20 saw drought result in the Council only operating one public pool through summer.

The Australian Water Association's (AWA) National Water Week is being held from 18th to 24th October.

Click here for event information and resources, including Water Night Challenge hacks and activities for children, like Tap Guardians and Brake Bracelets.

Images: Tamworth Regional Council's Scully Pool was impacted by the drought of 2019 (top) and promotion for the Council's Water Night event (below). Credit: Tamworth Regional Council.