Water Saving at Werribee

Class A recycled water from the Western Treatment Plant is used at Werribee Open Range Zoo for landscape irrigation. The use of recycled water further reduces the zoo's reliance on drinking water.

In a world first for a Hippopotamus exhibit, a natural filtration process has been employed at Werribee Open Range Zoo to treat water in the Hippopotamus pools. This water is pumped through a 5,000 square metre wetland system, treating it to a high standard.

Management of weeds is an integral part of our care of natural vegetation areas. Over the past decade, more than 180,000 trees, shrubs, grasses and aquatic sedges have been planted along and in wetlands adjoining the Werribee River.

Low toxicity herbicides are used to manage weeds with biological control measures are used to control pest plants when these are available. These include Cochineal Mealy bug for the control of Prickly Pear and a rust fungus for control of Bridal Creeper.

Our Water Smart Garden (below) demonstrates efficient use of water in gardens.