At the prize draw were (L-R) Parkes Shire Councillors Alan Ward and Bill Jayet, Banjo the Recycled Water Scheme Mascot, Mayor Ken Keith OAM and Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton.
The drinking water in Parkes has been given the tick of approval with 43% of locals rating the water quality high or very high.
In the 2019 Parkes Water Survey residents were asked to rate their satisfaction with the quality and affordability of Parkes’ drinking water. They were also asked to gauge community attitudes towards the Recycled Water Scheme, which will use recycled water to irrigate public greenspaces.
Participants in the survey went into a draw to win Council vouchers towards their water bills.
The first prize, a $250 Council voucher towards the winner’s water account, went to Kristy Davison. Second prize winner, David Potts, won a $150 Council voucher, and Mark O’Neil claimed third prize, a $75 Shop Parkes Card.
“This year we had 164 respondents, which provides a strong sample of the population,” said Mayor Ken Keith OAM.
“It is particularly encouraging to see that the overwhelming majority of our residents regularly undertake water saving practices.”
Generally, respondents expressed satis-faction with the quality of Parkes drinking water: 40% rated Parkes water quality as average; 43% considered it to be high or very high; 85% reported satisfaction with the value for money.
The survey results show that the new Re-cycled Water Scheme is well received, with over 92% of respondents expressing sup-port, 6% neutral, and only one respondent expressed disapproval.