Hundreds of thousands of litres of rainwater are being harvested each year from the roof of the EA Networks Centre (EANC) and recycled for irrigation and washdowns.

Rain that falls on the roof of the stadium and pool hall is fed by a network of gutters and pipes to two 33,000-litre tanks at the rear of the facility. A day of steady rain is enough to fill the tanks.

In summer, water for irrigation is fed at night from the tanks through to gardens, lawns and trees at the front of the centre.

EANC staff have organised the area into different irrigation zones, with water supplied by drip and pop-up spray irrigation. Previous attempts to keep the grass green and trees and plants from dying were hampered by a lack of water.

The rain now provides enough water for irrigation and washdowns to some external service areas.

It’s part of a focus on smart water use at the centre, where in the past the rain water just went into the stormwater ground swale.

The investment in irrigation means visitors are greeted by lush lawns and healthy trees and shrubs as the irrigation system is controlled by computer and happens between 11pm and 4am.

Council Community Services Group Manager Steve Fabish said rain that fell on the roof was an untapped resource.

“Recycling it for irrigation made good sense and it fits with our philosophy of using water and energy wisely.”