More than 50 drought-affected farmers across the country are sharing in one million litres of water being delivered in the space of just one week, as part of a national water-saving initiative, #FinishWaterWaste.
A joint initiative between Finish and Rural Aid, #FinishWaterWaste is coinciding with National Water Week (19-25 October), and will span water deliveries to farmers in Qld, NSW and SA.
In SA, at this stage, 52,000 litres of water is set to be shared between two Carrieton farmers, but water has been offered to all farmers around Carrieton and Hawker, as these areas have been identified as 'exceptionally dry'. Any farmers looking to benefit from the scheme are encouraged to register with Rural Aid.
So far in 2020, Rural Aid has delivered 709,000 litres to 33 farmers in SA to farmers across the Mid North, Eyre Peninsula, Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Fleurieu Peninsula, Riverland, and South East.
The one million litres that is being donated during National Water Week has been raised via a combination of in-store purchases of Finish Quantum Ultimate Pro at Coles between September 2 and October 27, and #FinishWaterWaste promises made on social media.
Each #FinishWaterWaste tag, and each pack of Finish Quantum Ultimate Pro dishwasher tablets purchased, triggered a donation of 40 litres of water from Finish, delivered by RuralAid to drought-affected farmers.
Rural Aid chief executive officer John Warlters said the impact of drought continued to "drag on" for many farming communities across Australia, despite rainfall in recent months.
Participating in the #FinishWaterWaste initiative is a very easy way we can make a real difference.
- TANYA HENNESSEY
"There are still many producers who need our support to keep their farms going as they eagerly await much-needed and substantial rain," he said.
"We're therefore incredibly proud to be working alongside Finish to roll out the largest #FinishWaterWaste water delivery to date.
"Delivering one million litres in just one week is no mean feat! These deliveries will go a long way in helping farmers as they prepare for Summer and the hottest months ahead."
In an effort to further increase awareness of the water scarcity issue and boost water donations to farmers, Finish has also launched the #FinishWaterWaste "40 Litre Challenge", challenging Aussies to live on 40 litres of water for one day.
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Comedian and Finish ambassador Tanya Hennessy took on the #FinishWaterWaste "40 Litre Challenge", encouraging more Aussies to be water conscious.
"Taking on Finish's 40 Litre Challenge and recently spending three days in the drought-impacted community of Orange in New South Wales, has been eye-opening," Ms Hennessey said.
"It's heartbreaking that water is like liquid gold to our fellow rural Aussies, and (those in metropolitan areas with ready access to water) so often take it for granted.
"Participating in the #FinishWaterWaste initiative is a very easy way we can make a real difference."
Organised by the Australian Water Association, National Water Week makes a splash across Australia in the third week of October each year, aiming to inspire individuals, communities and organisations to build awareness around the value of water. Further information about the week can be found here.
Details: finishwaterwaste.com.au.
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