Our water, their home

Our drinking water comes from the environment; rivers, creeks and, sometimes, from aquifers underground (this is called groundwater).

We aren’t the only ones relying on this water.

These waterways are home to birds, platypus, frogs and fish. Rivers also give life to native trees and plants that provide important habitat for many other animals and birds. The same water that sustains us, sustains the environment.

When you turn on the tap, you're using the same water that our local wildlife needs to thrive. That’s why it helps to imagine the platypus when you use water. It may help you use a bit less—because our water is their home.

Cultural significance

The Barwon Water service region is of spiritual and cultural significance for the Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners. We recognise the Barwon and Moorabool rivers and their landscapes as interconnected living entities and the Traditional Owners as the ‘voice of the living entities’.

“Ngubitj bulayt bengadak” - Water connects us all

What is 'Our water, their home' about?

As we prepare for a long term shift towards a hotter, drier climate, we’re encouraging all our customers to learn about where drinking water comes from, and how we are sharing it with the environment.

We want you to reframe how you think about water, and make change in your own life to use less of this precious resource.

Greater Geelong’s drinking water is supplied by the Barwon and Moorabool rivers, which are amongst the most flow-stressed in Victoria.

Extra water also can be drawn from the Victorian water grid via the Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline (this water comes from catchments east of Melbourne). During dry conditions we can also access water from an underground aquifer in Anglesea (the Anglesea borefield).

Colac is supplied from the West Gellibrand and Olangolah reservoirs on the Gellibrand River in the Otway Ranges. During drought, Colac can be connected to the Geelong supply system.

Lorne and Apollo Bay have their own separate water supply systems, in the Otways.

You can learn more about where your water comes from and how it gets to you on our ‘Water you know’ page.

Science is telling us that our climate is becoming warmer and drier.

The Australian continent has warmed by around 1.5 degree Celsius since 1910.

We have seen a reduction in inflows to our region’s water storages – a ‘step change’ of between 30 to 60 per cent reduction in average annual inflows since 1997, compared to the long-term average.

Less rainfall in future will have a direct impact on our region’s rivers, and the creatures that live in and around them.

Small steps can make a big difference...

  • Limit your shower to 4-minutes or less
  • Use a timer to water your garden overnight
  • Look for leaks and fix any you find

Being more efficient with water will help the environment and lower your water and energy bills, too. Learn about water saving tips and programs to help you be waterwise on our saving water page.

  • Their scientific name Ornithorhynchus anatinus translates to ‘duck-like bird-snout’.
  • Platypuses dive with their eyes closed and ‘see’ using electrical sensors in their bills to find food.
  • Male platypuses have venomous spurs on their rear ankles – they are one of the few venomous mammals.
  • Their family is older than dinosaurs. The first fossil platypus relatives date back 61-million years!
  • They lay eggs and their young drink their mother’s milk by licking it off their skin.
  • One of the top predators in many Australian waterways, platypuses help maintain ecosystem balance and waterway health.
  • In Wadawurrung language, the platypus is the perridak.

Want to learn more?