--- title: Graffiti management program turns TasWater assets into works of art description: TasWater is turning its assets into colourful works of art with a forward-thinking community engagement program. --- [![Indigo by AWA logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Indigo_colour.png?height=24&name=Indigo_colour.png)](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) [![Ozwater logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Ozwater.png?height=24&name=Ozwater.png)](https://www.ozwater.org/) [![Careers in Water logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png?height=24&name=Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png)](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/) [![NWW logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/NWW.png?height=24&name=NWW.png)](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org/) - [Join ![user icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-user-icon.svg "user icon")](https://www.awa.asn.au/new-registration) - [Member Hub ![user icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-locked-icon.svg "user icon")](https://memberhub.awa.asn.au) - [About us ![about us icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-about-us-icon-copy.svg "about us icon")](https://www.awa.asn.au/about) - [Contact us ![contact icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-contact-icon.svg "contact icon")](https://www.awa.asn.au/contact-us) [Skip to content](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/community/engagement/graffiti-management-program-turns-taswater-assets-into-works-of-art#main-content) [![Australian Water Association | 60 Years](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/images/logos/AWA-logo@2x.png?width=180&height=85&name=AWA-logo@2x.png "Australian Water Association | 60 Years")](https://awa.asn.au) - [ Home ](https://www.awa.asn.au) - [ Membership ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership) Show submenu for Membership ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Membership for me ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership/individual) Show submenu for Membership for me ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) --- - [ Branch committees ](https://www.awa.asn.au/local-branch) - [ Specialist Networks ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership-specialist-water-networks) - [ Young Water Professionals ](https://www.awa.asn.au/young-water-professionals) - [ Membership for my organisation ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership/corporate) Show submenu for Membership for my organisation ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) --- - [ B2B ](https://www.awa.asn.au/business-connections) - [ Australian Water Directory ](https://www.awa.asn.au/digital-marketplace) - [ Careers in Water ](https://www.careersinwater.com.au) Show submenu for Careers in Water ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Jobs Board ](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/jobs) - [ Resources ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources) Show submenu for Resources ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Indigo ](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) - [ Latest Industry News ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news) - [ Strategy 2030 ](https://www.awa.asn.au/strategy-2030) - [ Current Magazine ](https://www.awa.asn.au/member-magazine) - [ Water e-Journal ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/water-e-journal) - [ Reconciliation Action Plan ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/reconciliation-action-plan) - [ Future of Water Report ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/futureofwaterreport) - [ Podcasts ](https://www.awa.asn.au/podcasts) - [ Advertising & Media ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/media-releases) - [ Past Papers ](https://www.ozwater.org/program/past-papers) - [ Events ](https://www.awa.asn.au/upcoming-events) Show submenu for Events ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Upcoming Events ](https://www.awa.asn.au/upcoming-events) - [ Events Calendar ](https://www.awa.asn.au/national-events-calendar) - [ Ozwater ](https://www.awa.asn.au/events/ozwater) - [ Photo Gallery ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/133291504@N03/albums) - [ Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards) Show submenu for Awards ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Awards Overview ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards) - [ Individual Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-individual) - [ Chris Davis AM Fellowship ](https://www.awa.asn.au/chris-davis-am-fellowship) - [ Guy Parker Award ](https://www.awa.asn.au/guy-parker-award) - [ Organisation Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-organisation) - [ Student Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/student-awards) - [ Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards/student-awards/asjwp) - [ View Honour Roll ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-honour-roll) - [ Programs ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs) Show submenu for Programs ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ International Program ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs/international) - [ Advocacy ](https://www.awa.asn.au/advocacy) - [ Mentoring ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs/mentoring) - [ Graduate Program - Water ](https://www.awa.asn.au/program/graduate-program-water) - [ National Water Week ](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org) - [ Circular Water Taskforce ](https://www.awa.asn.au/program/circular-water-taskforce) - [ ANZBP ](https://www.biosolids.com.au/) - [ Home ](https://www.awa.asn.au) - [ Membership ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership) Show submenu for Membership ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Membership for me ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership/individual) Show submenu for Membership for me ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) --- - [ Branch committees ](https://www.awa.asn.au/local-branch) - [ Specialist Networks ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership-specialist-water-networks) - [ Young Water Professionals ](https://www.awa.asn.au/young-water-professionals) - [ Membership for my organisation ](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership/corporate) Show submenu for Membership for my organisation ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) --- - [ B2B ](https://www.awa.asn.au/business-connections) - [ Australian Water Directory ](https://www.awa.asn.au/digital-marketplace) - [ Careers in Water ](https://www.careersinwater.com.au) Show submenu for Careers in Water ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Jobs Board ](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/jobs) - [ Resources ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources) Show submenu for Resources ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Indigo ](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) - [ Latest Industry News ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news) - [ Strategy 2030 ](https://www.awa.asn.au/strategy-2030) - [ Current Magazine ](https://www.awa.asn.au/member-magazine) - [ Water e-Journal ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/water-e-journal) - [ Reconciliation Action Plan ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/reconciliation-action-plan) - [ Future of Water Report ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/futureofwaterreport) - [ Podcasts ](https://www.awa.asn.au/podcasts) - [ Advertising & Media ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/media-releases) - [ Past Papers ](https://www.ozwater.org/program/past-papers) - [ Events ](https://www.awa.asn.au/upcoming-events) Show submenu for Events ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Upcoming Events ](https://www.awa.asn.au/upcoming-events) - [ Events Calendar ](https://www.awa.asn.au/national-events-calendar) - [ Ozwater ](https://www.awa.asn.au/events/ozwater) - [ Photo Gallery ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/133291504@N03/albums) - [ Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards) Show submenu for Awards ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ Awards Overview ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards) - [ Individual Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-individual) - [ Chris Davis AM Fellowship ](https://www.awa.asn.au/chris-davis-am-fellowship) - [ Guy Parker Award ](https://www.awa.asn.au/guy-parker-award) - [ Organisation Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-organisation) - [ Student Awards ](https://www.awa.asn.au/student-awards) - [ Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards/student-awards/asjwp) - [ View Honour Roll ](https://www.awa.asn.au/awards-honour-roll) - [ Programs ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs) Show submenu for Programs ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-plus-icon.svg) ![Plus icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-menu-minus-icon.svg) - [ International Program ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs/international) - [ Advocacy ](https://www.awa.asn.au/advocacy) - [ Mentoring ](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs/mentoring) - [ Graduate Program - Water ](https://www.awa.asn.au/program/graduate-program-water) - [ National Water Week ](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org) - [ Circular Water Taskforce ](https://www.awa.asn.au/program/circular-water-taskforce) - [ ANZBP ](https://www.biosolids.com.au/) ![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-nav-hamburger.svg) ![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-nav-close.svg) [Resources ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources) > [Latest News ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news) > Graffiti management program turns taswater assets into works of art # Graffiti management program turns TasWater assets into works of art Sept 23, 2019 | 1 mins read ![User Icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-user.svg "User Icon") by Water Source TasWater is turning its assets into colourful works of art with a forward-thinking community engagement program. It’s almost inevitable that infrastructure like pump stations and reservoirs will be sprayed with graffiti at some point, but remediation tends to be low on the priority list for many businesses. In fact, according to [TasWater](https://ozwater.org/Watersource/business/workplace/former-sydney-water-md-joins-taswater-board/) Facilities Officer Rachelle Downey, the Tasmanian utility would only take action if it received a complaint from the public about an offensive tag. “Generally we would go in and just paint over the existing graffiti, but this creates a blank canvas and it would get targeted straight away,” Downey said. “I thought we needed to take a different approach.” https://omny.fm/shows/australianwater/rachaelle-downey-on-managing-graffiti A chance meeting with the youth services coordinator at a local council presented the perfect opportunity to develop a new strategy that benefited the utility, its customers and young people in the community. “I found when I was looking at the graffiti on our assets that we had a lot of really beautiful art on there,” Downey said. “I realised we could do something with our ugly infrastructure and provide an opportunity for young people to paint something on a big scale.” The result was a pilot program with Clarence City Council that brought young people together with three local street artists to paint three reservoirs and a pump station with family-friendly designs. This has saved TasWater money, [provided the community with rejuvenated infrastructure](https://ozwater.org/Watersource/business/partnerships/taswater-awards-multimillion-dollar-capital-works-contract/) and, perhaps most importantly, given the young people involved a chance to express themselves in a more productive way. “It’s been great to see the outcomes for the young people … their self confidence skyrocketed,” Downey said. “One of them has even been looking for a tattoo apprenticeship because he has a bit more self-belief in his skills as an artist.”  As for the assets that were given a makeover? None have been tagged, Downey said. “Unauthorised entry, like fence and lock cutting, hasn’t happened at the sites we’ve painted,” she said. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.” TasWater will now roll the program out across the state. *Has your organisation been involved in an innovative or interesting project? Submit a paper, panel or workshop to Ozwater’20, held in Adelaide from 5 to 7 May 2020. For more information, click *[*here*](http://bit.ly/Ozwater20papers)*.* [ Engagement ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/engagement) [ TasWater ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/taswater) [ Tasmania ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/tasmania) [ Utilities ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/utilities) Share [![email icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-email.svg "email icon") ](mailto:?subject=Graffiti%20management%20program%20turns%20TasWater%20assets%20into%20works%20of%20art&body=Check%20out%20https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/community/engagement/graffiti-management-program-turns-taswater-assets-into-works-of-art) [![facebook-icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-facebook.svg "facebook icon") ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/community/engagement/graffiti-management-program-turns-taswater-assets-into-works-of-art) [![LinkedIn icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-linkedin.svg "LinkedIn icon") ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/community/engagement/graffiti-management-program-turns-taswater-assets-into-works-of-art) [![Twitter icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-twitter.svg "Twitter icon") ](https://twitter.com/home?status=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/community/engagement/graffiti-management-program-turns-taswater-assets-into-works-of-art) ## RELATED NEWS ### [ Tasmanian treatment plant takes out top Australian prize for tap water ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/workplace/tasmanian-treatment-plant-top-australian-prize-tap-water) Cecilia Harris Many small Tasmanian communities have received a water treatment make-over in recent years and the results have been award-winning. [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/workplace/tasmanian-treatment-plant-top-australian-prize-tap-water) [![TRILITY's Tony-Hourigan with TasWater acting CEO Tony Willmott and TasWater Central North Coordinator Jake Ward](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/trility-uvtreatment-taswater.jpg?width=352&name=trility-uvtreatment-taswater.jpg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/taswater-installs-uv-treatment-to-provide-safer-drinking-water) ### [ TasWater installs UV treatment to provide safer drinking water ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/taswater-installs-uv-treatment-to-provide-safer-drinking-water) Cecilia Harris Tasmania's Bracknell Water Treatment Plant has received additional water quality safeguards with the installation of an ultraviolet… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/taswater-installs-uv-treatment-to-provide-safer-drinking-water) ### [ Tasmanian boil alerts lifted as TasWater completes historic 24glasses program ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/community/public-health/tasmanian-boil-alerts-lifted-as-taswater-completes-historic-24glasses-program) Ruth Cooper Public health alerts have been removed from all TasWater connected water supplies, with the utility confident its customers can now… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/community/public-health/tasmanian-boil-alerts-lifted-as-taswater-completes-historic-24glasses-program) Advertising --- ### Subscribe to our newsletters Sign up to get the latest news and insights from us Advertising --- ![white arrow pointing upwards](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-white-arrow-up.svg) Top [![Footer-logo-02](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Footer-logo-02.svg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/) The **Australian Water Association** acknowledges the Traditional Custodians across Australia, where we live, work and play, for their deep connection to our precious waters and land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and the ancestors who have cared, protected and nurtured Country for many thousands of years.   Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices, and names of people who have passed away. Please [let us know ](mailto:membership@awa.asn.au)if anything on the site causes distress. - [About us](https://www.awa.asn.au/about) - [International](https://www.awa.asn.au/programs/international) - [Principal Members](https://www.awa.asn.au/membership) - [Resources](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources) - [Jobs Board](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/jobs) Branches [ ACT ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/act) [ NSW ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/nsw) [ NT ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/nt) [ QLD ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/qld) [ SA ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/sa) [ TAS ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/tas) [ VIC ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/vic) [ WA ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/wa) [ IWAA ](https://awa-asn-14568786-hs-sites-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/local-branch/iwaa) Subscribe to our newsletter Follow us [![nav-icon-facebook](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-facebook.svg) ](https://www.facebook.com/australianwater) [![nav-icon-instagram](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-instagram.svg) ](https://www.instagram.com/australianwaterassociation/) [![nav-icon-youtube](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-youtube.svg) ](https://www.youtube.com/c/australianwaterTV) [![nav-icon-twitter](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-twitter.svg) ](https://twitter.com/AustralianWater) [![nav-icon-linkedin](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-linkedin.svg) ](https://au.linkedin.com/company/australian-water-association) [![nav-icon-flickr](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/nav-icon-flickr.svg) ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/133291504@N03/albums) Australian Water Association PO Box 841, Chatswood NSW 2057 Phone [ + 61 2 9436 0055 ](tel:+%2061%202%209436%200055) ABN: 78 096 035 773 [ Contact us ](https://www.awa.asn.au/contact-us) Copyright 2025 - Australian Water Association - [ Terms of Use ](https://www.awa.asn.au/terms-of-use) | [ Privacy ](https://www.awa.asn.au/privacy-policy) | Sitemap