With Sydney's water supply at an all time low, it has never been more important to conserve water. With this in mind Model Farms High School at Baulkham Hills recently installed a scheme of innovative new water saving measures, which was officially launched at a ceremony at the School on 26 May 2004.

The water saving measures are part of a project called Demonstrating Water Sensitive Urban Design in Western Sydney. This aims to showcase water conservation and re-use technology at various sites throughout this region. The Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust is managing the project with help from Baulkham Hill Shire Council, Blacktown City Council, Sydney Water, Landcom and funding from the NSW Stormwater Trust.

At Model Farms High School, heavily polluted stormwater running off the school's car park and agricultural plot is filtered as it runs along one of two channels lined with native grasses. With most pollutants removed, the water is then stored in two large underground water tanks and used to water the school oval and the agricultural plot. As well, water collected from the school's assembly hall is stored in four large rainwater tanks store and used to flush the toilets.

The Chairman of the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust, Bob Junor, congratulated the School, "Strong support from the whole School made this exciting project possible. The Model Farms project is the first of its kind in Western Sydney. It provides a really innovative approach to water saving and reuse. The Trust hopes that this successful project will encourage other schools and institutions to follow Model Farms' example."

The State Member for Baulkham Hills, Wayne Merton MP, officially unveiled a sign showing how the water saving measures work. Mr Merton said, "I congratulate everyone concerned with this exciting project. I believe it represents an excellent hands-on opportunity for both the students and community to see practical and innovative ways of saving on of our most precious commodities, water".

Mr Chris Johnson, Principal of Model Farms High School, commented, "At a meeting of the School's Environment Committee 18 months ago a teacher suggested approaching the Trust in the hope of installing a rainwater tank. The Trust's response has been beyond our wildest expectations. Now we have these great water saving measures, which have also become a wonderful educational tool."

It is estimated that the new measures will save the school up to 25% on its water bills and prevent up to 90% of sediment from the School's grounds entering the local waterways.

For further information on Water Sensitive Urban Design contact the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust on 9891 4633 or visit www.uprct.nsw.gov.au.