The $500,000 project, partly funded by Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management, has demonstrated this at Brookton, where a dam has been constructed to catch the town’s storm water run-off for watering the local sports oval.

Wheatbelt NRM operations manager Natarsha Woods said each year, millions of litres of top quality scheme water were used on town gardens and sports grounds.

“So much water is being lost that could otherwise be put to better use,” Ms Woods said.

“Instead of using our precious drinking water, which is expensive to treat and pump long distances, we need to use the rainfall that runs off our roads, driveways and paths.

“We’ve helped to fund construction of a dam which will store this storm water runoff, combined with the town’s treated waste water.

“This can then be used on the local oval and town gardens to help sustain them, especially during the summer months when extra water is needed.”

The town’s NRM officer Harvey Morrell said the Brookton shire would also benefit as its annual water bill of $70,000 was expected to drop.

“We’re hoping to save 100,000 kilolitres of drinking water per year, when the dam is up and running,” Mr Morrell said.

The water will be chlorinated and have all the solids removed, then it will be pumped into the dam which can hold 50,000 kilolitres.

“By collecting the storm water we’re also helping to address the problem of salinity in the town,” Mr Morrell said.

“Storm water filters into the underground water table, which then rises, bringing with it salt, which does damage to our town infrastructure and not to mention homes.”

Mr Morrell said the shire was planning on building another two to three dams over the next few years to help store the treated water.

“We hope to eventually give residents the option of a “third pipeline” which people can tap into and use on their gardens,” Harvey Morrell said.

“This project is huge, especially in a town the size of Brookton, where the population of about 1,000 is helping to make such a huge water saving.”

Partners involved in the project include Wheatbelt NRM, Federal Government, Brookton Shire, Department of Education and Co-operative Bulk Handling.