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Sump dumped to help water pump - and make garden grow

A SUMP at Winterfold Primary School in Beaconsfield has officially closed, as the next stage of a water-recycling scheme gets under way.

The Winterfold water-harvesting project – a first for WA – uses storm water channelled from the city’s drainage system which, after cleaning, is stored and used for irrigation.

Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri and school principal Kerry Misich shovelled soil on the sump site to mark its closure, allowing for the planting of a waterwise native garden that will use some of the harvested water.

“Once finished, the new garden will help teach students about effectively managing their own gardens and water conservation,” Mayor Tagliaferri said.

“An integral part of conservation is education and getting students involved in a hands-on way is one of the best ways to learn.

“Water is our most precious resource and we all have to do our bit in helping preserve this asset for future generations.

“This innovative water-harvesting system will be able to capture more than 8 million litres of water annually for re-use and is presenting some exciting opportunities for the city’s drainage network.”

A $227,000 community water grant has made the project possible; one of more than 4500 granted in the last round of funding.