wellness
Perth CBD Workers Boost Water Intake During Dry Winter Months
Dry winter conditions across the central business district are prompting workers and residents to adjust their fluid intake to sustain energy through the cooler months.
How we reported this
Residents in the Perth CBD should target 2.5 to 3 litres of fluid each day this July to offset the effects of low humidity that dries out airways and skin.
The recommendation comes as local wellness groups track rising reports of fatigue among office workers who skip regular water breaks during the shorter daylight hours. July marks the middle of the dry season when indoor heating and air conditioning pull moisture from the body faster than many notice. The City of Perth recorded 12 consecutive days without measurable rain ending July 6, which has left footpaths dusty and increased the need for consistent sipping throughout the day.
Refill points and workshops in the core
Two initiatives now give people concrete places to stay on top of intake. The City of Perth installed eight chilled water refill stations along Murray Street Mall last September, each dispensing filtered water at no charge and tracking usage that reached 48,000 litres in the first six months. A few blocks away on St Georges Terrace, the Perth City Farm runs a monthly hydration workshop that meets in the greenhouse classroom and teaches how to flavour water with local citrus and herbs without added sugar. Both spots sit within easy reach of the main office towers.
Numbers behind the advice
A 2025 audit by the City of Perth’s environmental health team found that 62 percent of surveyed CBD employees drank less than two litres on typical workdays. Bottled water sold at the corner cafe on Hay Street now averages $3.80 for 600 millilitres, while tap water from the new stations costs nothing. These figures line up with national health guidelines that list 2.1 litres for women and 2.6 litres for men as baseline needs, with extra volume advised when humidity sits below 40 percent, a level common here through winter.
People can meet the target with plain water, weak herbal tea or water infused overnight with cucumber slices and mint from the farm market. Carrying a reusable bottle and stopping at the Murray Street stations twice during a shift keeps intake steady without extra cost. Those who feel light-headed by mid-afternoon should add an extra 500 millilitres and check with a local GP if symptoms continue.