2006 Metropolitan Water Plan: 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan


Setting the scene: Setting the scene Need sufficient water for: People, economy & environment Population growth & river protection To withstand drought Need to minimise economic & environmental costs


Securing Sydney’s water needs: Securing Sydney’s water needs Review undertaken by independent experts Now able to diversify water supplies to ensure: More than enough water to meet needs until at least 2015 Strong position to accommodate population growth beyond 2015 Sydney can withstand current drought & any future droughts


The Plan: The Plan Undertaking climate change research Increasing recycling Reducing demand Increasing supply Defence against prolonged drought Improving catchment & river health Creating a dynamic water industry


Key initiatives: Key initiatives


Climate change research: Climate change research Researching short & long-term impacts Collaborations between water and greenhouse agencies and research organisations Informing strategic supply planning © Sydney Catchment Authority


Increasing recycling: Increasing recycling


Increasing recycling: Increasing recycling Recycling water in Western Sydney Recycling for industry New sewer mining policy Making it easier to recycle greywater at home Recycling stormwater


Western Sydney Recycled Water Initiative (WSRWI): Western Sydney Recycled Water Initiative (WSRWI) Markets for recycled water Major residential land release areas eg North West Scheme Irrigation for agriculture River flows


WSRWI – North West Scheme: WSRWI – North West Scheme


Industrial recycling: Industrial recycling Camellia Recycled Water Project Kurnell BlueScope Steel


Sewer mining: Sewer mining New sewer mining policy Beverley Park Golf Club


Greywater use at home: Greywater use at home Council approval not required Educational material available Installation by a licensed plumber Use an approved diversion device


Stormwater harvesting: Stormwater harvesting Range of projects funded by NSW Government Stormwater harvesting guidelines Councils can raise also funds for projects Bexley Municipal Golf Club


Reducing DemandDrinking water use – Greater Sydney: Reducing Demand Drinking water use – Greater Sydney


Reducing demand: Reducing demand


Reducing demand: Reducing demand


Water Savings Fund: Water Savings Fund Allocates $130 million over 4 years for water saving initiatives Financial assistance for businesses, councils & government agencies to implement water conservation & recycling projects Funds various water saving initiatives Funds Community Education


Water Savings Action Plans: Water Savings Action Plans Large water users required to develop plans Expected to result in up to 20% savings Who is required to prepare plans 237 businesses 39 Government sites all 44 Sydney councils


Every Drop Counts Business Program: Every Drop Counts Business Program Targets high water users Water savings of up to 30% Identified water savings can go into Water Savings Action Plans


Leak Reduction: Leak Reduction Saving over 33 billion litres/year by 2015 Investing more than $400 million over four years: Actively detect leaks Replace old pipes Improve speed and quality of leak repairs Reduce high pressure areas Improve flow metering


Water Smart Government: Water Smart Government Improved water efficiency in all agency buildings, facilities and tenancies Water Savings Action Plans NABERS OFFICE Water Rating Tool Use of water efficient products


Water Smart Schools: Water Smart Schools Every Drop Counts in Schools Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate Trial on leakage reduction in schools


BASIX: BASIX Applies to all new dwellings and alterations and additions to dwellings Must reduce water consumption by 40%, in greater Sydney


Rebates & offers: Rebates & offers Washing Machine Rebate Rainwater Tanks Rebate WaterFix Program Do-It-Yourself Water Saving Kit Landscape Garden Assessment


Efficiency labelling & standards: Efficiency labelling & standards WELS Scheme Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme Introduced 1 July 2006 Replaces AAAAA rating scheme


Partnering with community: Partnering with community Education Plan Water for Life Water conservation education campaigns Council communication kits Coordination, partnerships & capacity building


Partnering with community: Partnering with community Targeted Community Education Projects Schools support Ethnic communities focus Community-based education Property sector education


Increasing supply: Increasing supply Deep water in dams Investigating options for extra water from Shoalhaven


Deep dam water: Deep dam water Projects at 3 major dams Water availability increased by 40 billion litres/year 6 months extra supply in drought Completion late 2006 Photography by TVU Pty Ltd © Sydney Catchment Authority


Shoalhaven water transfers: Shoalhaven water transfers Exploring option of transferring more water Not raising Tallowa Dam Water availability increased by 30 billion litres/year Studies under way Community consultation Photography by TVU Pty Ltd © Sydney Catchment Authority


Drought measures: Drought measures New strategy of “readiness” Severe drought – tap groundwater reserves Extreme drought – start constructing desalination Strength of these options Constructed with short lead times Operating quickly to augment supply Money only spent if needed


Groundwater: Groundwater Investigations underway Up to extra 30 billion litres/year for 2-3 years For use in severe drought (dam levels about 40%) Community consultation Photography by TVU Pty Ltd © Sydney Catchment Authority


Desalination: Desalination Non-rainfall dependent Preparatory work underway Blueprint & concept design for a reverse osmosis plant For use in extreme drought - dam levels below around 30%


Improving catchment & river health: Improving catchment & river health Improving catchment health New environmental flows regimes Department of Natural Resources


Improving catchment health: Improving catchment health Sydney Catchment Authority’s actions: protect special zones and manage stormwater, sewage, riparian zones and land management Catchment Management Authorities’ actions: restore riparian vegetation Upgrading sewage treatment plants


Environmental flows: Environmental flows New environmental flows regimes Upper Nepean dams (starting with Avon Dam) Lower Shoalhaven River


Dynamic water industry: Dynamic water industry Reforms to create more competitive water industry: New licensing framework New access regime New guidelines to make sewer mining easier Water Savings Fund New guidelines for decentralised recycled water plants


What happens next?: What happens next? Ongoing monitoring and analysis Status report every year Reviewed plan every 4 years Independent Review Panel – community engagement


Stay connected: Stay connected For more information and to sign up for the Water for Life e-newsletter visit www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au