More information about the Program

The Community Housing Retrofit Program is designed to help not-for-profit community housing organisations save water, helping reduce their water bills. We come out to audit properties and see where water can be saved. This might be by repairing leaks or replacing old fittings and fixtures – from showerheads to hot water services. You can see more examples of easy ways to save water here.

The program’s supported by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), and is available to groups serviced by Melbourne’s metropolitan water organisations, South East Water, Greater Western Water and Yarra Valley Water.

Am I eligible? 
  • Are you a Not-for-Profit community housing organisation?
  • Do you own or are you responsible for the maintenance of the properties?
  • Is your housing located in our service area, or that of a metropolitan water organisation?

If you answered yes to all these questions you may be eligible. If you’re interested in the program, get in touch so we can find out more about you and how we can help. Send an email to community@sew.com.au and we'll get in touch soon. 

The Community Housing Retrofit Program is designed to help not-for-profit community housing organisations to save water and reduce water bills.

It does this by auditing properties and identifying ways in which they can save water followed by repairing leaks and replacing inefficient fittings and fixtures.

This program is available to all not-for-profit community housing organisations in our service area.

This program is supported by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

Email us at community@sew.com.au

We are happy to work with organisations in a way that suits their capacity. There is a range of ways that we currently work:

  • Some organisations like to be very involved in the process and choose to organise and attend all audit and retrofits;
  • some organise the time and dates for audit with the tenants but do not attend the audit or retrofits;
  • at a minimum it would require the organisation to let tenants know about the program and that we will be in contact and provide us with a list of property addresses and contact details and we can book everything in.

The most common items that are replaced/repaired as part of the program are:

  • Showerheads 
  • Taps 
  • Toilets
  • Hot water services
  • Leaks

The program will cover up to $12,000 per property.

Audits take approximately 20mins to undertake and are conducted by a licenced plumber.

The CHRP Program Manager also attends the audit to discuss with the tenant ways in which to save water in the home and provide support options if required.

A report detailing the required works is provided to your organisation to approve before the retrofit is conducted.

Any Certificate of Compliance or warranties are provided to you for your records on completion of the works