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Water Conservation and Recycling Implementation Report 2008-09
Contents
Executive summary ...........................................................................................................1
1 Introduction and context....................................................................................................... 6
1.1. The purpose of this report........................................................................................................ 6
1.2. Metropolitan Water Plan .......................................................................................................... 6
2 Planning approach................................................................................................................. 7
2.1. History ...................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2. Strategy objective .................................................................................................................... 7
2.3. Planning approach ................................................................................................................... 7
2.4. Target areas............................................................................................................................. 8
3 Achievements and progress............................................................................................... 10
3.1. Water use in greater Sydney ................................................................................................. 10
3.2. Program success ................................................................................................................... 11
3.3. Water savings ........................................................................................................................ 12
3.4. Investment.............................................................................................................................. 14
4 Water conservation activities and initiatives 2008-09...................................................... 16
4.1. Overview ................................................................................................................................ 16
4.2. Residential water efficiency ................................................................................................... 16
4.3. Business water efficiency....................................................................................................... 18
4.4. School programs.................................................................................................................... 20
4.5. Leak reduction ....................................................................................................................... 20
4.6. Water recycling ...................................................................................................................... 22
4.7. Pilot programs........................................................................................................................ 26
4.8. Regulatory measures............................................................................................................. 27
4.9. Externally managed projects.................................................................................................. 28
4.10. Community education ............................................................................................................ 29
4.11. Research and development activities .................................................................................... 29
5 Water Conservation Strategy 2009-11 ............................................................................... 32
5.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 32
5.2. Predicting future water use .................................................................................................... 32
5.3. New programs to be delivered in 2009-10............................................................................. 33
5.4. Planned strategy to 2010-11.................................................................................................. 33
5.5. Program evaluation and ranking............................................................................................ 34
5.6. Sensitivity analysis................................................................................................................. 34
5.7. Forecast water savings to 2010-11........................................................................................ 35
5.8. Forecast expenditure to 2010-11........................................................................................... 37
Appendix 1 Reporting requirements reference ......................................................................................... 38
Appendix 2 Managing supply deficiencies ................................................................................................ 39
Appendix 3 Water use trends.................................................................................................................... 40
Appendix 4 Residential water use in Australia.......................................................................................... 46
Appendix 5 Correcting for weather ........................................................................................................... 47
Appendix 6 Water conservation reporting schedule ................................................................................. 48
Appendix 7 Community education ............................................................................................................ 52
Appendix 8 Water leakage (water balance) ............................................................................................. 54
Appendix 9 Water savings assumptions ................................................................................................... 56
Appendix 10 Program evaluation and ranking............................................................................................ 59
Appendix 11 Sensitivity analysis................................................................................................................. 61
Appendix 12 Glossary ................................................................................................................................. 65
Appendix 13 List of acronyms and units ..................................................................................................... 67
Appendix 14 References............................................................................................................................. 68
List of figures Figure 1: Yearly water savings achieved since 1999.............................................................................. 2
Figure 2: Water conservation programs contribution to meeting the Operating Licence target ............. 3
Figure 3: Planning Process ..................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 4: Breakdown of total drinking water consumed by key customer segments.............................. 8
Figure 5: Breakdown of water use within residential sector (without water restrictions) ........................ 9
Figure 6: Per person demand trends 1991-2009 (12 month rolling average........................................ 10
Figure 7: Yearly water savings achieved since 1999............................................................................ 11
Figure 8: Recycled water usage by sector (excluding external schemes)............................................ 23
Figure 9: Drinking water versus recycled water use in STPs................................................................ 23
Figure 10: Water conservation programs contribution to meeting the Operating Licence target ........... 32
Figure 11: Total water demand since 1952............................................................................................. 40
Figure 12: Per person water demand since 1952 ................................................................................... 40
Figure 13: Residential sector water demand – volumetric ...................................................................... 41
Figure 14: Residential houses water demand – per property ................................................................. 41
Figure 15: Residential units water demand – per unit............................................................................. 42
Figure 16: Industrial water demand – per property ................................................................................. 42
Figure 17: Commercial water demand – per property ............................................................................ 43
Figure 18: Government and institutional water demand – per property.................................................. 43
Figure 19: Water leaks ............................................................................................................................ 44
Figure 20: Residential sector water demand forecast............................................................................. 44
Figure 21: Business sector water demand forecast................................................................................ 45
Figure 22: Forecast of non revenue water .............................................................................................. 45
Figure 23: Weather correction................................................................................................................. 47
Figure 24: Total program water saving sensitivity analysis..................................................................... 64
List of Tables Table 1: Water efficiency initiatives........................................................................................................ 3
Table 2: Yearly water savings (ML/year) ............................................................................................. 12
Table 3: Sydney Water Program Investment (gross $’000)................................................................. 14
Table 4: Drinking water savings and water recycling in operation....................................................... 25
Table 5: Collaborative research ........................................................................................................... 31
Table 6: Forecast water savings1 (ML/year) ........................................................................................ 35
Table 7: Forecast Sydney Water yearly program investment (gross $’000)........................................ 37
Table 8: Reporting guide for auditors................................................................................................... 38
Table 9: Average annual residential water supplied (kL/property) 2001-02 to 2007-08...................... 46
Table 10: Water conservation reporting schedule – Actual Performance 2008-09 ............................... 48
Table 11: Water conservation reporting schedule – Expected Performance 2009-10 .......................... 50
Table 12: Community water conservation education activities 2008-09................................................ 52
Table 13: Water balance 2008-09 (ML) ................................................................................................. 54
Table 14: Sectoral consumption 2008-09 (ML)...................................................................................... 55
Table 15: Water saving assumptions to 2010-11 and sensitivity around the forecast .......................... 56
Table 16: Individual program water saving sensitivity analysis ............................................................. 61
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Executive summaryIntroduction Sydney Water provides a yearly report to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), documenting both the implementation of its water conservation strategy and progress in meeting its water conservation target. This is a requirement of Sydney Water’s Operating Licence and is the basis for this report.
Key achievements in 2008-09 Sydney Water’s customers have made significant efforts to use water efficiently in 2008-09. Water efficiency programs are now saving 85,848 million litres (ML) a year compared to last year's figure of 76,163 ML (Figure 1).
Program highlights for individual water efficiency activities and initiatives are presented in Table 1.
Water Conservation Strategy Water conservation includes demand management, leak reduction and recycling programs targeting the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. All these aspects are included in Sydney Water’s Water Conservation Strategy.
Sydney Water first developed a water conservation strategy in 1995 to reduce demand and meet targets set in the 1995 Operating Licence. The strategy was significantly expanded in late 1999. Sydney Water’s program relies on an adaptive management process and learning from experience, involving a planning, delivery, evaluation and review cycle.
Since 1999 Sydney Water has invested over $448 million in operating and capital expenditure and over $75 million alone in the last year.
Progress against target In the Operating Licence Sydney Water is required to take action to reduce per person demand by 35% from a 1991 baseline of 506 litres per person per day. This target needs to be met by June 2011 and is equivalent to a demand of 329 litres per person per day.
In 2008-09, total demand was 491,962 ML or 309 litres per person per day (310 litres per person per day weather corrected). However, while this value is below Sydney Water’s Operating Licence target, Level 3 restrictions were in place. Sydney Water estimates that had restrictions not been in place water use would have been about 372 litres per person per day. This is a reduction of 6 litres per person per day on last year’s estimate of 378 litres per person per day without restrictions.
In September 2007, the NSW Government announced that new Water Wise Rules would replace drought restrictions once dam levels rose adequately. In June 2009, Water Wise Rules replaced drought restrictions.
The extent to which water saving behaviours adopted during restrictions will be retained by customers and over what period of time is difficult to predict. It is assumed that there will be a slow increase in water use as households and people adapt. Sydney Water estimates that there will be up to 30% retention of savings achieved by Level 3 water restriction savings at December 2010 (refer to Figure 2).
Planned strategy to 2010-11 Sydney Water has continued to review its Water Conservation Strategy to make sure it is on track to meet the Operating Licence target and 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan requirements.
Sydney Water has updated estimated water savings and costs for existing and future programs. These savings and costs have been used, along with other factors, to evaluate and rank the programs. This will help to develop a revised strategy to deliver
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the required outcomes in the most cost effective manner.
Sydney Water will continue the current programs plus some new initiatives. The key initiatives are water conservation programs for businesses (EDC Business Program), outdoor residential programs (Love Your Garden and Rainwater Tank Rebates), leak reduction in Sydney Water's distribution system and recycled water projects. Ongoing strategy and program reviews will continue to identify the best ways to attain the target. Figure 2 illustrates the key components of the strategy.
Metropolitan Water Plan
The NSW Government’s Metropolitan Water Plan outlines the measures that make sure Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains have enough water now and in the future (to at least 2015). The Metropolitan Water Plan identifies four major ways that secure our water for life: Dams, Recycling, Desalination and Water Efficiency.
Sydney Water is one of many agencies responsible for implementing the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan. Sydney Water’s responsibilities include continuing to implement water efficiency and recycling initiatives and building a desalination plant.
Figure 1: Yearly water savings achieved since 1999
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Figure 2: Water conservation programs contribution to meeting the Operating Licence target
Table 1: Water efficiency initiatives
Program Description Program Highlights
1. WaterFix (residential) Installs water efficient showerheads, tap flow regulators, toilet cistern flush arrestors and the repair of minor leaks to residential households. The service is offered to residential customers from $22 and to low-income concession cardholders for free.
8,193 homes participated in the program in 2008-09, bringing the total to 474,534. Water savings of 9,918 ML/year to date. Each household saves an average of $66 a year in energy and water bills.
2. Do It Yourself Water Saving Kits
An alternative to the full service WaterFix, the free kits contain two flow regulators for showers, two flow regulating aerators for bathroom basin taps and one flow regulating aerator for kitchen taps.
16,501 kits were distributed in 2008-09, bringing the total number of kits distributed to 204,471. Water savings of 776 ML/year to date.
3. Washing Machine Rebate
Offers a $150 rebate to residential customers and tenants who buy a washing machine with a 4.5-star water efficiency rating.
40,317 rebates were paid in 2008-09, bringing the total to 157,599. Water savings of 3,056 ML/year to date.
4. Rainwater Tank Rebate
Offers residential customers a rebate to install a new rainwater tank. Rebates range from $150 to $500 for the tank. An additional $500 (one internal connection) or $1,000 (two internal connections) rebate is provided if a licensed plumber connects the tank for indoor use.
4,860 rebates were paid in 2008-09, bringing the total to 52,527. Water savings of 1,765 ML/year to date.
5. Love Your Garden Involves a qualified horticulturist visiting a customer's home and evaluating the garden’s water needs.
8,079 properties participated in the program in 2008-09, bringing the total to 18,964. Water savings of 2,015 ML/year to date.
6. Toilet Replacement New in 2008-09, Sydney Water offers to replace residential customers’ single flush toilets with a 4 star dual flush model. The customer has the choice to repay Sydney Water over one or four bill cycles.
9,981 single flush toilets were replaced with WELS 4-star rated, dual flush models since launched in November 2008. Water savings of 224 ML/year to date.
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Program Description Program Highlights
7. Outdoor water Conservation
Involved an ongoing campaign of community education combined with regulatory measures such as pricing reform and water saving measures.
In June 2009, Water Wise Rules replaced the Level 3 restrictions. Restrictions have achieved reductions in demand and demonstrate the savings that can be achieved by reducing outdoor water use.
8. One to One Partnerships
Since 2001, Sydney Water has worked in partnership with businesses and government organisations through targeted water efficiency projects to achieve sustainable water savings.
19 large water using businesses signed up to Every Drop Counts Business Program in 2008-09, bringing the total to 411. Water savings of 23,181 ML/year to date.
9. Smart Rinse Involves installing efficient pre-rinse spray valves in commercial kitchens.
2,011 smart rinse valves were installed in 2008-09, bringing the total to 3,039. Water savings of 767 ML/year to date.
10. Top 100 Online Monitoring
Involves installing water meter monitoring services to the highest water using businesses to identify leaks.
61 businesses participated and 122 monitoring systems were installed in 2008-09. The water savings from these systems will be realised in 2009-10.
11. BizFix Involves a qualified plumber doing an audit at business sites to identify water efficiency opportunities. Sydney Water provides 50:50 co-funding to the business to implement the water efficiency measures.
70 audits and eight installations were completed in 2008-09. Water savings will be realised in 2009-10.
12. Every Drop Counts in Schools
Involves reducing water use in schools by increasing awareness of water conservation through education resources, teacher professional development and monitoring school water use to detect leaks.
Smart water monitoring and alarm systems were installed in an additional 40 schools and 39 schools attended the teacher professional development day. Water savings of 219 ML/year to date. 96 schools and 24 other groups received education resources in 2008-09 to support water conservation, bringing the total to 346.
13. Rainwater Tank in Schools Rebate
Offers schools a rebate of up to $2,500 towards the cost of buying and installing a rainwater tank. To receive a rebate, each school must complete a water conservation education program.
19 schools received a rebate in 2008-09, bringing the total to 308. Water savings of 46 ML/year to date.
14. Leak reduction Contributes to reducing leaks from Sydney’s water distribution system by actively detecting and repairing leaks, reducing high pressure areas and improving the response time to main breaks.
In 2008-09 detection and repair work was completed in 175 supply zones covering 21,021 kilometres of mains. At June 2009, 46 pressure management schemes have been established with 22 having had full pressure reduction. For the third year in a row, very high compliance was achieved with repair response time targets. Water savings of over 27,000 ML/year to date.
15. Water recycling Water recycling projects are being delivered as part of the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan. Recycling projects implemented to date include recycling at Sydney Water’s sewage treatment plants (STPs), urban and agricultural irrigation projects, residential dual reticulation and industrial projects.
Drinking water savings from recycling schemes in 2008-09 were 10,014 ML. Stage 2 of the Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme was commissioned in April 2009. An agreement was signed in August 2008 between Sydney Water and AquaNet Sydney for the Rosehill/ Camellia Recycled Water Scheme.
16. Pilot programs Sydney Water began or completed a number of water conservation pilot programs in 2008-09. These pilot programs target reductions in residential and
The pilots include: Spray Gun, Water Saver Grant, Councils Partnership, HiRise, WaterSmart Sydney and Residential Concealed Leak Detection and Repair.
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Program Description Program Highlights
business use, and leaks. Trials on alternative technologies targeting leaks are ongoing. New pilots targeting residential outdoor areas are currently under investigation.
17. Community education
Community and industry groups are being actively engaged to promote efficient water use.
Sydney Water launched a Speakers Program during Water Week in October 2008. The program aimed to communicate the new water equation (Dams + Recycling + Desalination + Water Efficiency=Water4Life) and highlight the important role the community need to play in being water wise.
18. Research & development
Sydney Water has an active ongoing research program that focuses on water efficiency and providing a sustainable water service.
Research projects in 2008-09 include understanding customer behaviour, understanding the impact of climate change on supply and demand, assessing data reliability and baseline assumptions of water use and identifying and assessing alternative servicing options.
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1 Introduction and context
1.1. The purpose of this report
The 2008-09 Water Conservation and Recycling Implementation Report is required under Part 9 of Sydney Water’s 2005-2010 Operating Licence.
The report describes: • Sydney Water’s Water Conservation
Strategy • progress towards meeting the Operating
Licence water conservation target • implementation of water efficiency
initiatives for the 2008-09 financial year • future plans for water efficiency programs • appendix 1 provides a cross reference to
specific Operating Licence reporting requirements contained within the report.
1.2. Metropolitan Water Plan
The NSW Government’s Metropolitan Water Plan outlines the measures that ensure Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains have enough water now and in the future (to at least 2015).
The Metropolitan Water Plan identifies four major ways to secure our water for life: Dams, Recycling, Desalination and Water Efficiency. A comprehensive range of water saving initiatives is expected to save 145 billion litres a year by 2015, 24% of Sydney’s water needs. Recycled water will provide 12% of Sydney’s water needs by 2015. About 70 billion litres of wastewater will be recycled for industry, irrigation, residential use and river flows. A desalination plant will supply up to 15% of Sydney’s water needs (approximately 91 GL/year). Appendix 2 provides more detail on managing supply deficiencies.
Sydney Water is one of many agencies responsible for implementing the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan. Sydney Water’s responsibilities include continuing to implement demand management, leak reduction, recycling activities and building the desalination plant.
The current plan is being reviewed in order to develop the 2010 Metropolitan Water Plan. Sydney Water is involved in this process.
Sydney Water has reviewed its own Water Conservation Strategy within the context of the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan.
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2 Planning approach
2.1. History Sydney Water has implemented water efficiency activities since the early 1990s. Quarterly meter reading and usage based pricing was introduced in 1990. The usage based component of water bills has steadily increased over time. In January 1995, Sydney Water was established as a State Owned Corporation, and the new corporation’s Operating Licence included demand reduction targets for 2000-01 and 2010-11.
Sydney Water developed a Demand Management Strategy in 1995. This strategy is now a Water Conservation Strategy that includes demand management, leak reduction and recycled water projects. Sydney Water’s program relies on an adaptive management process and learning from experience, involving a planning, delivery, evaluation and review cycle.
2.2. Strategy objective The objective of the strategy is to meet the Operating Licence target in the most cost effective manner. Sydney Water is required to reduce the per person quantity of water drawn from all sources (excluding recycled water) by 35% from June 1991 to June 2011. This is a reduction from 506 litres per person per day in 1991 to 329 litres per person per day by 2011. Based on current population estimates, this per person target converts to a volumetric target of almost 531,105 ML/year by June 2011. Sydney Water’s Water Conservation Strategy is also a key part of the demand and supply balance under the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan.
2.3. Planning approach Sydney Water develops and reviews its Water Conservation Strategy using an adaptive management process. The process involves a cycle of forecasting demand, assessing the strategy's progress against the target, then developing and evaluating water conservation options to meet the target.
Sydney Water uses a levelised cost planning approach to evaluate, on an economic basis, the options to reduce demand. Figure 3 outlines the planning process. The first step in the process is to review the strategy in the context of drivers such as the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan, Operating Licence and the NSW State Plan.
Program savings, costs and associated assumptions are reviewed and a 2010-11 revised forecast is developed to determine how Sydney Water is tracking against the target.
The process is informed and supported by customer feedback and a range of research and development projects.
Figure 3: Planning Process
Review of drivers/assumptionsOperating Licence,
Metropolitan Water Plan,NSW State Plan, commercial
viability, performance of programs forecast assumptions
Revise demand forecastBaseline forecast,
forecast program savings, demand forecast
Assess progress against Operating Licence target
Refine programOptimise existing programs,
assessment and implementation of new water saving measures
Research and D
evelopment:
* Robustness and reliability of data and assum
ptions* U
nderstanding factors which influence dem
and* E
xternal scanning to identify and develop potential new w
ater saving measures
* Custom
er research* Im
pact of climate change
Documentation of revised strategy
Develop, implement and report
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2.4. Target areas The programs in the Water Conservation Strategy target all the major areas of water use. In developing the strategy, Sydney Water considers the programs and products to best address targeted areas of water use.
Figure 4 shows a breakdown of total water supplied by key customer segments. Sydney Water supplied the majority (73%) of water to the residential sector. It supplied the remaining 27% to the business and government sectors.
Figure 4: Breakdown of total drinking water consumed by key customer segments
Figure 5 shows a breakdown of water use within the residential sector. The largest uses within the sector are showering and outdoor (garden watering), typically accounting for 48% of the residential use. Sydney Water implemented a number of programs to target these uses. Water use reductions can be achieved through incentives, regulation, education, structural solutions such as water recycling, leak repairs and pressure reduction. A combination of these methods is required for effective program delivery, supported by an underlying program of research, demand analysis and program evaluation.
Key programs in the Water Conservation Strategy include: • residential indoor programs – private and
public housing. • residential outdoor education and
advisory programs. • residential rebate programs – Rainwater
Tank Rebate and Washing Machine Rebate.
• business sector programs –working one to one with large water users and offering targeted water efficiency programs to small and medium water users.
• school programs – Every Drop Counts in Schools and Rainwater Tank Rebate.
• leak reduction programs – leak detection and repair, pressure reduction and response time improvements.
• recycled water projects – recycled water use by residential, industrial and irrigation customers.
• regulations – Building Sustainability Index (BASIX), Water Efficiency Labelling Standards (WELS) and Water Efficiency Standards (WES).
Sydney Water implements most of these programs except for some regulatory and business sector programs that are being implemented by other government agencies. The level of private sector involvement is also increasing, particularly in providing recycled water. AquaNet Sydney and Veolia who will own and operate the Rosehill/Camellia Recycled Water Scheme were the first to receive licences under Water Industry Competition Act.
Sydney Water has mostly targeted its water efficiency programs at the existing customer base, primarily through incentive and education programs and reducing leaks. However, development and building approval processes provide a mechanism to ensure water efficiency practices are incorporated into all new and renovated homes. The NSW Government’s water use reduction targets for new developments through the Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) scheme will significantly reduce the incremental demand on existing water supplies.
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Figure 5: Breakdown of water use within residential sector (without water restrictions)
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3 Achievements and progress
3.1. Water use in greater Sydney
Recent history of water restrictions Water use in greater Sydney has reduced significantly during the recent drought. The introduction of voluntary restrictions in November 2002, in conjunction with the Go Slow on the H2O outdoor campaign, reduced demand through the following summer with diminishing impact through the 2003 winter. Voluntary restrictions achieved savings of 3%.
Following the introduction of Level 1 mandatory restrictions in October 2003, total savings of 12% were achieved. Level 2 restrictions were in place from June 2004 to June 2005 and achieved savings of 16%. The introduction of Level 3 restrictions increased the total savings to 17%.
In 2008-09, Level 3 restrictions were modified to allow for car washing, watering of new plants and children to play under sprinklers. These changes had a minor impact on per person demand. The major impact was from weather returning to average conditions, contributing to an increase in per person demand of 1.6%. In June 2009, Water Wise Rules replaced Level 3 restrictions. Detailed water use trends are provided in Appendix 3.
The National Water Commission compared yearly residential water supplied by Sydney Water and other major utilities around Australia. In 2007-08, it was estimated that Sydney Water supplied the average residential customer 182 kL. For more information see Appendix 4.
Water use in 2008-09 The water savings generated by the water conservation programs are estimated to have reduced per person demand by 54 litres per person per day since 1999. The observed and weather corrected per person demand trends from 1991 to 2009 are shown in Figure 6.
Observed per person demand is represented as a 12-month rolling average of total water supplied per day divided by the estimated daily population. The weather corrected trend adjusts the observed data to remove (as far as practical) the influence of weather and shows what demand would have been under ‘average’ weather conditions. It includes the savings gained from mandatory water restrictions.
In Figure 6 the red line indicates actual demand, the blue line indicates weather corrected demand and the green line indicates weather corrected demand without the presence of water efficiency programs. All lines include the impact of drought restrictions on demand.
Figure 6: Per person demand trends 1991-2009 (12 month rolling average)
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As at 30 June 2009, observed per person demand was 309 litres per person per day, an increase from 306 litres per person per day at 30 June 2008. According to Sydney Water’s Climate Correction Model, weather corrected demand for 2008-09 is 310 litres per person per day. This includes the savings due to drought restrictions. Weather correction calculations are in Appendix 5. It is estimated that without restrictions demand would have been 372 litres per person per day or about 594,000 ML. This figure is calculated by subtracting the estimated savings from the water conservation programs from an estimated baseline demand. Baseline demand (excluding savings from water conservation programs and restrictions) is estimated to be 426 litres per person per day.
Water savings in 2008-09 Since implementing the Water Conservation Strategy in 1999, Sydney Water estimates that water savings of 85,848 ML per year have been achieved. These savings have primarily been from: • leak reduction (27,120 ML/year) • the EDC Business Program (23,948
ML/year) • residential indoor and outdoor programs
(17,754 ML/year) • drinking water substitution from water
recycling (10,014 ML/year).
Table 2 and Table 3 show detailed program savings and costs to date, respectively. Figure 7 shows the growth in water savings
from water efficiency programs over the past ten years.
During the past year, water conservation programs increased water savings by an estimated 9,685 ML/year with an expenditure of over $75 million.
3.2. Program success Sydney Water continues to achieve its highest water savings through leak reduction, the business program and WaterFix. The Every Drop Counts (EDC) Business Program was a finalist in the 2008 Savewater Awards and a runner up in 2009 AWA Water Environment Merit Award for EDC Online.
The Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme, providing high-grade water to BlueScope Steel, continues to contribute significant water savings. Sydney Water commissioned Stage 2 of the Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme in April 2009, providing recycled water to the Port Kembla Coal Terminal and Wollongong Golf Club. An agreement between Sydney Water and the successful project company AquaNet Sydney for the Rosehill/Camellia Recycled Water Scheme was signed in August 2008. Savings from recycling will continue to increase as further schemes are commissioned.
Sydney Water has played a major role in implementing WELS and BASIX, though Sydney Water does not manage these. The water savings from these schemes are beginning to be realised and provide an important long-term contribution to the strategy.
Figure 7: Yearly water savings achieved since 1999
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3.3. Water savings Table 2: Yearly water savings (ML/year)
Program 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09
Residential
WaterFix1 765 2,525 3,559 4,285 4,889 5,901 7,270 9,002 9,747 9,918
DIY Water Saving Kits2 40 180 618 911 776
Washing Machine Rebate 10 118 118 260 1,172 2,430 3,056
Rainwater Tank Rebate3 31 155 481 928 1,394 1,868 1,765
Love Your Garden 5 157 198 524 1,150 2,015
Toilet Replacement Service 7 14 224
Education, water saving measures and pricing4
Business
Business programs5 680 2,298 4,307 5,767 8,116 12,250 20,058 23,181
Smart Rinse 1 260 767
BizFix 12 12 0
Top 100 Online Monitoring 0
School
Every Drop Counts in Schools 102 102 219
Rainwater Tanks in Schools 3 21 38 43 46
Leak reduction
Active Leak Detection and Repair 949 5,439 9,089 12,374 15,148 16,790 18,506 20,915 21,974 22,959
Pressure Management Program 0 0 0 0 0 0 102 161 840 3,431
Improved leak/break response times 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 730 730 730
Recycled water
Existing STP reuse and minor recycling6 5 5 5 5 626 671 1,838 2,101 2,047 2,160
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Program 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09
Rouse Hill Recycled Water Scheme (Stage 1 & 2) 313 1,337 1,370 1,698 1,652 1,402 1,704
Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme Stage 1 (BlueScope Steel) & Stage 2
4,335 6,652 4,3987
Botany - Orica (non Sydney Water scheme) 200 529 927
SOPA (non Sydney Water scheme) 850 778 588 599 723 767 823
Regulatory measures
WELS 431 1,139 1,774 3,220
BASIX 949 2,854 3,381
Pilots8
Spray Gun 19
Water Saver Grant 131
Total 1,719 7,969 13,333 20,166 27,364 31,885 40,147 58,026 76,163 85,848 1. WaterFix includes Department of Housing and the Expanded WaterFix. 2. Estimated wastage rate (ie. number of DIY kits distributed but not installed) has increased in 2008-09 compared to 2007-08. This has resulted in an apparent decrease in water savings. 3. In 2008-09 the estimated savings due to customers that would have purchased a rainwater tank even without a rebate has been subtracted from the total savings resulting in an apparent decrease in
savings compared to 2007-08. 4. No savings are attributed to this program as they are included in the savings from the drought restrictions, and cannot be separately differentiated. 5. This includes savings from the One to One Partnerships, Pilot Water Savings Fund, Enhanced Water Savings Fund, Climate Change Fund, Water Saving Action Plans and NSW Government Water
Efficiency. 6. Based on the 1998-99 drinking water use at STPs as baseline (2,555 ML/year). 7. Drinking water savings have reduced compared to 2007-08 due to Wollongong Recycled Water Plant being offline for part of the year. 8. Savings from pilots are subject to further evaluation.
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3.4. Investment Table 3: Sydney Water Program Investment (gross $’000)
Program 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 Residential
WaterFix 45 4,000 12,068 6,508 4,609 4,133 5,264 5,965 7,099 8,054 1,963
WaterFix (Department of Housing, includes Expanded Program)
1,204 2,973 5,356 539 0
DIY Water Saving Kits 1,296 2,926 1,839 753 244
Washing Machine Rebate 474 796 18 1237 7,381 10,642 6,588
Rainwater Tank Rebate 374 1,386 3,687 3,926 4,225 5,249 2,671
Love Your Garden 249 181 865 954 2,089 2,967 3,104
Toilet Replacement Service 454 18 4,943
Education, water saving measures and pricing 230 750 185 2,047 818 1,621 174 94 1,723 0
Business
Business programs1 841 1,000 393 1,884 2,142 3,726 16,138 30,453 11,210 4,828
Smart Rinse 228 563 1,128
BizFix 5 200 2 308
Top 100 Online Monitoring 297
Recycled water program development and managing existing schemes2
450 537 918 675
School
Every Drop Counts in Schools 10 127 261 238 200
Rainwater Tanks in Schools 153 446 299 244 83
Leak reduction
Active Leak Detection and Repair 500 1,400 1,100 1,681 2,482 2,455 4,838 5,491 5,561 6,545
Pressure Management Program 135 256 1,828 4,953 9,757 15,113
Improved leak/break response times 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000
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Program 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 Recycled water
Operational schemes:
Existing STP reuse and minor recycling 231 342 4,727 1021 519 330 500
Rouse Hill Recycled Water Scheme (Stage 1 & 2) 3,600 4,912 51,167 2,200
Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme Stage 1 (BlueScope Steel)
260 7,507 10,968 5,148 1,000 1,000 1,114 3,000
Schemes under development3:
Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme Stage 34 261 12,002 66
Hoxton Park Recycled Water Scheme 266 240 749 14,159
Other irrigation 275 0
Pilots
Outdoor Residential Program 518 0
Spray Gun 259
Water Saver Grant 474 625
Councils Partnership 1,233
HiRise 247
Program Management
Program Management 516 796 1,315 893 1,130 992 883 943 894 164
Total 45 6,087 16,014 9,896 20,205 24,378 31,432 52,731 83,618 128,937 75,143 1. The costs for the business program include one to one partnerships, Climate Change Fund (former Water Savings Fund), Pilot Water Savings Fund and NSW Government Water Efficiency. 2. This is the cost to Sydney Water for developing recycled water programs within the business sector. 3. Costs for schemes under development only include costs incurred by Sydney Water such as planning and some capital costs. Many of these projects involve significant investment by developers or the
private sector, which is not captured in this table. 4. Financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08 also include Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme Stage 2. Stage 2 became operational in 2008-09. Wollongong Stage 3 is still in the planning phase. Financial
viability needs to be confirmed.
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4 Water conservation activities and initiatives 2008-09
4.1. Overview Sydney Water’s water conservation activities and initiatives in 2008-09 include programs in the areas of: • Residential water efficiency • Business water efficiency • School programs • Leak reduction • Water recycling • Pilot programs • Regulatory measures • Externally managed projects • Community education • Research and development.
The savings, expenditure and key performance indicators for these activities and initiatives in 2008-09 are shown in Appendix 6. Also shown are the planned programs for 2009-10.
4.2. Residential water efficiency
The residential water efficiency programs include: • WaterFix • Do It Yourself (DIY) Water Saving Kits • Washing Machine Rebate • Toilet Replacement Service • Outdoor water conservation • Rainwater Tank Rebate • Love Your Garden
WaterFix WaterFix offers householders the opportunity to have a qualified plumber visit their home to provide a new water efficient (3-star rated) showerhead and tap flow regulators, a toilet cistern flush arrestor for single flush toilets
and the repair of minor leaks. The service has a retail value of $180. WaterFix is free for low-income households holding a Pensioner Concession Card, a Health Care Card or a Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card. It is provided to other customers from $22. If requested, additional showerheads are $22 each for the basic range and $66 each for the premium range.
Since it began in 2000, Sydney Water has serviced 474,534 houses. This includes Department of Housing (DoH) properties. This is the equivalent to 29% of all households in Sydney Water’s area of operation.
In 2008-09, Sydney Water serviced 8,193 households. It is estimated that WaterFix, including DoH, has achieved estimated water savings of 9,918 ML/year.
Since WaterFix commenced, Sydney Water has installed 526,528 water efficient showerheads or has inserted inline regulators to make existing showerheads water efficient. This total also includes the initial pilot program.
Plumber installs a water efficient showerhead as part of WaterFix
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DIY Water Saving Kits Sydney Water developed the DIY Water Saving Kit as an alternative to the full service WaterFix (see previous page). The kits provide householders with the opportunity to modify their existing inefficient showerheads and taps so that they provide a similar flow rate to water efficient models. Providing kits also gives easy access to water efficiency for householders who would prefer to organise their own installation.
Since introducing the DIY kits in 2005, Sydney Water has distributed 204,471 kits. In 2008-09, Sydney Water distributed 16,501 DIY kits. It is estimated that water savings of 776 ML/year have been achieved from this program.
Washing Machine Rebate Sydney Water provided a rebate of $150 to residential customers who bought a new washing machine with at least a 4-star water efficiency rating from March 2006 to 31 July 2008. A new rebate was offered from 1 August 2008. The minimum water efficiency rating for washing machines qualifying for the new rebate is 4.5 star.
Since this rebate was offered, the market share of 4.5-star water efficient washing machines has increased from around 5.3% to almost 36.8% in May 2009.
In 2008-09, Sydney Water paid 40,317 rebates. Sydney Water has paid 157,599 rebates since March 2006 saving a total of 3,056 ML/year.
Toilet Replacement Service Sydney Water offers householders the opportunity to have a qualified plumber visit their home to replace their single-flush toilet with a new 4-star, water-efficient dual-flush toilet. Single-flush toilets are one of the biggest users of water in homes - using 12 litres of drinking water with every flush. By switching to a 4-star dual-flush toilet, households can save about 25,000 litres of water every year. Householders are able to make a single payment or can spread the cost over four water bill cycles.
In 2008-09 Sydney Water replaced 9,981 single-flush toilets, saving an estimated 224 ML/year.
Outdoor water efficiency The largest end use of water in Sydney is outdoor water use. The demand for water outdoors is more discretionary than indoor water use. This provides greater potential to influence behaviour through education, marketing and other initiatives.
Through the drought restriction education campaign, customers were encouraged to maintain water efficient gardening and outdoor water use practices. An outline of the education activities and community events for 2008-09 is provided in Appendix 7.
Sydney Water’s website contains a Plant Selector. This tool enables residents to choose plants suited to their local soil and weather conditions, helping them save water without restricting their choice of garden design.
The Smart Approved WaterMark scheme is Australia’s water saving labelling program for products and services that help reduce water use around the home including garden irrigation. The scheme complements the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme for indoor fittings and appliances (see section 4.8).
In September 2007, the NSW Government announced that new Water Wise Rules (eg not watering your garden in the heat of the day) would begin once dam levels rose enough to replace drought restrictions. These rules will stay in place regardless of dam levels. In June 2009, Water Wise Rules replaced drought restrictions. Sydney Water has implemented a promotion and education campaign to support these measures. Sydney Water will also continue to implement a range of education and community activities that promote water conservation.
Rainwater Tank Rebate Sydney Water offers customers a rebate for installing and connecting a new rainwater tank, excluding properties that have to install a tank to comply with BASIX. To encourage the maximum water saving yield from a tank, Sydney Water offers rebates ranging from $150 for a 2,000-litre capacity tank to $500 for tanks with a capacity equal to or greater than 7,000 litres.
An additional rebate is available if a licensed plumber connects the tank for indoor use to supply washing machines or toilets. This
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additional rebate, which was $150 from July 2006, was increased in October 2006 to $300 to further promote indoor connections and increase savings. In July 2007, the NSW Government announced a further increase in this rebate to $500 for a connection to a washing machine or toilet and $1,000 for a connection to both.
Sydney Water has paid 52,527 rebates since 2002. In 2008-09 Sydney Water paid 4,860 rebates to customers, more than 405 a month, achieving water savings of 1,765 ML/year.
Love Your Garden Sydney Water offers tailored advice about a garden's specific watering needs. This offer is targeted at customers who use significant amounts of water on their garden. The service involves a qualified horticultural expert visiting a customer’s home and evaluating the amount of water the garden needs. Tools such as tap timers, rain gauges and tap tags are provided along with a detailed report. This service is valued at an estimated $180 but is provided to customers for $33.
Since it began in 2007, Sydney Water has advised 18,964 residential properties with 8,079 in 2008-09. It is estimated that savings of 2,015 ML/year have been achieved through better watering practices and smart water tools.
4.3. Business water efficiency
EDC Business Program The EDC Business Program works to bring world’s best practice in water efficiency to Sydney businesses. The EDC Business Program was a finalist in the 2008 Savewater Awards and was a runner up in 2009 AWA Water Environment Merit Award for EDC Online.
The non-residential customer sector used about 27% of the water supplied to customers in 2008-09 (Figure 4).
The EDC Business Program includes: • One-to-one partnerships • Smart Rinse • Top 100 Online Monitoring • BizFix • EDC Business Program – customer
support and marketing.
Sydney Water working with businesses to bring about water efficiencies
One-to-one partnerships Sydney Water is fostering one-to-one partnerships with Large Water Users (LWU) to achieve sustainable water savings and best practice. These partnerships are based around continuous improvement in water management. Sydney Water’s partners include major industrial, commercial and institutional water users. The partnerships involve: • a water management diagnostic to
understand and improve water management in the business
• a water efficiency audit to identify potential cost effective water saving opportunities
• assist in trials of new technologies and implementing commercially viable water saving projects.
Since 2001, Sydney Water has developed partnerships with 411 customers. In 2008-09, the EDC Business Program exceeded its targets with 19 new LWU businesses joining the program and 50 water efficiency audits completed.
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To date, One-to-one Partnerships has achieved savings of 23,181 ML/year1.
Smart Rinse Sydney Water identified that pre-rinse spray valves used in commercial kitchens are inefficient. Replacing these with low flow pre-rinse spray valves reduces water use by an average of 42%.
Smart Rinse began in 2007-08 and has been well received by business customers. In 2008-09 2,011 smart rinse valves were installed saving 767 ML. 3,039 smart rinse valves have been installed since 2007-08.
Water efficient devices in commercial kitchens
Top 100 Online Monitoring Sydney Water provides water meter monitoring services to the highest water using businesses that do not already have permanent monitoring installed. Sydney Water assists to identify the leaks and it is up to the business owner to fix the leak.
1 This includes some savings from the Climate Change Fund, Water Saving Action Plans, Pilot Water Savings Fund, NSW Government Buildings and Enhanced Water Savings Fund.
In 2008-09, 61 businesses participated, which led to the installation of 122 monitoring systems. Some businesses had more than one monitoring system installed due to multiple water meters. The water savings from these systems will be realised in 2009-10. An additional 100 sites will be targeted in 2009-10.
BizFix BizFix assists business customers by providing 50:50 co-funding to install flow regulating and water efficient fittings in bathrooms and kitchenettes to reduce water use. A qualified plumber performs an initial audit of the business to identify water efficiency opportunities. Following the audit, a report is provided detailing the water efficiency recommendations and providing a quote for Sydney Water to return and carry out the work.
In 2008-09, Sydney Water completed audits at 70 businesses. To date eight installations have occurred. Water savings will be realised in 2009-10.
EDC Business Program – customer support and marketing Sydney Water has implemented a range of initiatives to support its business partners. They included: • the 2008 EDC Business Program Water
Efficiency Awards recognising companies and individuals that showed leadership in water efficiency in 2007-08
• producing The Conserver, an industry water efficiency magazine showcasing business success stories
• creation of co-branded posters for businesses and a DVD for the hospitality industry detailing ways to be more water efficient
• launching EDC Online - a web based tool enabling EDC Business partners to analyse, track and report on their water use
• organising seminars on water efficiency for local councils and the tertiary education sector.
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4.4. School programs Two of Sydney Water’s water conservation programs specifically target schools – EDC in Schools and the Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate.
EDC in Schools EDC In Schools is a collaboration between Sydney Water and the Department of Education and Training (DET).
It provides: • access to education material and teacher
professional development to support water efficiency and develop responsible water citizenship in the school
• water monitoring and alarm systems in 40 selected government schools each year. The target schools are high water using schools and those making water efficiency a priority
• materials to help schools identify leaks by regularly monitoring water use through water meter readings.
In 2008-09, Sydney Water provided educational resources and support to 96 schools and 24 other groups. Since the program began in 2004, 346 schools and other groups have received education resources and support.
In 2008-09 Sydney Water installed online monitoring systems in 40 schools and provided professional development opportunities to 39 schools. To date, 81 schools now have the monitoring system installed. The 41 schools that joined in 2008 have achieved estimated water savings of 219 ML/year.
Rainwater Tanks in Schools Sydney Water’s Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate was introduced as an extension of the successful Rainwater Tank Rebate for residential properties. Sydney Water offers schools a rebate of up to $2,500 toward the cost of buying and installing a rainwater tank in the school and connecting it to toilets or a fixed irrigation system. To receive a rebate, a school must also have completed a water conservation education program with students in the past two years or have committed to completing one in the next 12 months. The school must also do a water
audit and develop a school water conservation plan.
Since its introduction in April 2004, 308 schools have received a rebate, including 19 in 2008-09. It is estimated that savings of 46 ML/year have been achieved. The rebate will continue until June 2012.
Rainwater tank installed in a school
4.5. Leak reduction Sydney has around 21,000 kilometres of pipes which carry water to customers. Like all water pipe networks around the world, leaks and breaks can occur in the system. Leaks can be caused by many things, including deterioration of joints and fittings and cracks in the pipes caused by ground movement or water pressure changes.
Sydney Water’s Leakage Management Program commenced in 1999 as a key component of the strategy to achieve the water conservation target.
To develop an appropriate economic measure for the Leakage Management Program, Sydney Water has assessed the economic level of leakage (ELL). ELL is the point where the cost of leak reduction activities equals the savings from reduced demand. The ELL is determined in accordance with the Best Practice Principles in the Economic Level of Leakage Calculation report published by the UK Water Industry Regulator, Office of Water Services, in 2002.
This program has reduced leaks from 188 ML/day in 2002-03 to 105 ML/day in 2008-09 or less than 8% of drinking water drawn. This result compares well internationally. Reducing leaks further becomes increasingly difficult and uneconomic.
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The Leak Management Program consists of a number of elements: • Active leak detection and repair • Pressure management to reduce high
pressure areas in the system • Improved response time to main breaks • improved flow metering.
In addition, Sydney Water has a Water Mains Renewal Program that ensures the integrity and performance of the water system. Refer to Appendix 8 for more information on leakage and the water balance.
Active Leak Detection and Repair Active Leak Detection and Repair involves acoustically scanning for leaks and repairing identified leaks. This continuously targets Sydney Water’s supply zones on an assessed priority basis. Leaks are found on water mains, connections to the mains, and on fittings such as hydrants and valves.
Without active leak detection, leaks from pipes would increase each year. Since Sydney Water began active leak detection in 1999, it has reduced leaks by over 22,900 ML/year. About 980 ML/year of this was achieved in 2008-09
In 2008-09, Sydney Water inspected and repaired 175 supply zones totalling 21,021 km of mains. In 2009-10, Sydney Water will inspect 21,000 kms of mains to ensure the gains achieved to date are maintained. Minimal additional leak reduction is expected from this program.
Pressure Management Sydney Water aims to supply water in a pressure range suitable for households and businesses whist reducing leaks and breaks. However, in some areas the pressure remains too high. This program involves installing pressure reducing valves in the high-pressure areas to reduce water pressure and hence system leaks and main breaks.
Sydney Water expects to implement about 150 pressure reduction schemes between 2005 and 2012. At June 2009, Sydney Water has established 46 schemes, with 22 having had full pressure reduction. It is estimated that savings of over 3,400 ML/year have been achieved so far. Savings of over 10,000 ML/year are forecast on completion of the program.
Sydney Water staff inspecting pipes for leaks
Improved leak/break response time Sydney Water is required by Clause 4.13 of its Operating Licence to meet specified response times for water main breaks and leaks. This reduces water loss from leaks and breaks. It is estimated that savings of over 730 ML/year are being achieved by this initiative.
Flow meters Accurate measurement of flows into supply zones is important as leak levels reduce and leaks become harder to find. Flow meters provide information on the relative level of leaks across the network. This enables leak investigation teams that scan the pipes acoustically to target potential leaks.
Sydney Water replaces and renews flow meters to target leak reduction. In 2008-09, Sydney Water installed 13 new flow meters and renewed 22 existing flow meters bringing the total number of flow meters installed under this program to 125. Sydney Water is also installing flow meters as part of Pressure Management. In 2008-09 Sydney Water installed 52 flow meters bringing the total to 70.
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4.6. Water recycling The combination of population pressures, climate change and increasing environmental awareness by the broader community have led to water recycling becoming a key component of securing Sydney’s water supply in the future. Recycled water contributes to drinking water savings where recycled water can be used in place of drinking water.
As part of the NSW Government’s 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan, about 70 billion litres of wastewater may be recycled for industry, irrigation and residential use. Recycled water will provide 12% of Sydney’s water needs by 2015. To support this target, Sydney Water seeks to provide recycled water schemes where it is economically, technically and environmentally feasible to do so. The total amount of recycled water supplied in 2008-09 was about 27.2 billion litres (table 4).
Sydney Water is working with relevant government agencies to deliver many of the water recycling projects identified in the plan. Sydney Water is also supporting a number of emerging sewer mining and stormwater harvesting schemes being planned or developed by local councils, businesses and developers.
The following section outlines Sydney Water’s current and future recycled water initiatives that reduce both drinking water demand and sewage treatment plant discharges.
Overview of current recycled water program Sydney Water operates a wide range of recycled water schemes. In 2008-09, Sydney Water has saved 10,014 ML of drinking water from schemes that have been in operation since 1999 (Table 4).
Schemes that contribute to drinking water savings include the Rouse Hill Recycled Water Scheme, Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme (BlueScope Steel and Port Kembla Coal Terminal), golf course and playing field irrigation schemes and reuse at Sydney Water’s STPs.
Recycled water projects run by other organisations also contribute to drinking water savings. These include the Sydney Olympic Park Authority’s Water Reclamation
and Management System at Homebush and Orica’s project at Botany.
Sydney Water was required under its Operating Licence to reduce drinking water use by 80% at the Malabar, North Head and Bondi STPs. All other STPs and storm flow sewage treatment plants must use at least 85% recycled water for treatment. This target has now been met at Sydney Water’s sewage treatment plants.
Since 1995, Sydney Water has increased the amount of recycled water used in its sewage treatment plants from 17 ML/day to 43 ML/day (Figure 8), significantly reducing the volume of drinking water used at the plants (Figure 9).
Rouse Hill Recycled Water Scheme The Rouse Hill community use recycled water for watering gardens, flushing toilets and other non-drinking uses. NSW Health has now approved recycled water to be used in washing machines. The scheme, which is Australia’s largest residential water recycling project, supplies about 4.7 ML/day to over 18,000 homes and businesses.
Sydney Water has now expanded the Rouse Hill Recycled Water Plant, giving it the capacity to provide recycled water to up to 36,000 homes in Rouse Hill and surrounding areas.
Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme Sydney Water operates one of the biggest water recycling projects in Australia, the Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme.
Stage 1 of the scheme provides up to 20 ML/day of high quality recycled water to BlueScope Steel from the Wollongong Recycled Water Plant.
In April 2009, Stage 2 of the scheme was commissioned with highly treated, disinfected recycled water being supplied to the Port Kembla Coal Terminal and Wollongong Golf Club. Stage 2 replaces approximately 1.4 ML/day of drinking water. Nearby Wollongong Council Parks will start to use recycled water later in 2009.
Due to the project’s success, Sydney Water is investigating the potential to expand the scheme by amplifying the recycled water treatment plant to provide more recycled water to large industrial water users in the area.
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Figure 8: Recycled water usage by sector (excluding external schemes)
Figure 9: Drinking water versus recycled water use in STPs2
2 Based on the 1994-95 drinking water use at STPs as baseline (4380 ML/year)
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West Camden Sewage Treatment Plant Sydney Water constructed an 8.5 km pipeline from West Camden Sewage Treatment Plant to Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute to supply recycled water. This scheme has been operating for more than a year and is supplying more than 140 ML/year of recycled water to Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute for irrigation purposes.
Hoxton Park Recycled Water Scheme Construction is well under way on the Hoxton Park Recycled Water Scheme. This scheme will provide high quality recycled water to about 13,000 homes to be built in Edmondson Park, Middleton Grange, Ingleburn Gardens and the Panorama Estate development, as well as the Yarrunga Industrial Area. The scheme is expected to be running by 2013, with recycled water flows gradually increasing as the area develops to 1.8 GL by 2025.
Ropes Crossing Recycled Water Scheme The Ropes Crossing Recycled Water Scheme will provide recycled water to new homes. When the scheme is completed, it will provide 1,550 homes with up to 500 ML/year of high quality recycled water. The scheme is expected to start operating in 2013.
Rosehill/ Camellia Recycled Water Scheme
The recycled water plant and pipeline system will be built, owned and operated by AquaNet Sydney and Veolia Water Australia. Construction has commenced. Savings of up to 12 ML/day of drinking water are expected by 2011. The Rosehill/Camellia Recycled Water Project will supply high quality recycled water to major industrial and irrigation customers in western Sydney. AquaNet Sydney and Veolia Water have obtained the required licences under the Water Industry Competition Act for the scheme.
Replacement Flows Project Up to 50 ML/day of drinking water is currently released from Warragamba Dam into the Hawkesbury-Nepean River for the environment and for other uses. The Replacement Flows project, as part of the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan will substitute dam water with highly treated recycled water.
The project will help meet Sydney’s water needs by retaining the dam water that would otherwise be released to the Hawkesbury-Nepean River while also maintaining river health. It does not contribute to the Operating Licence target as the target has been defined in terms of customer use. However, it does contribute to ensuring Sydney's long term water supply-demand balance. Sydney Water is currently building a recycled water plant at St Mary’s for this project. About 24 km of pipeline has been placed. This project should be operational in mid 2010.
Stormwater Harvesting Stormwater harvesting projects in Sydney are primarily developed and managed by local councils. The Climate Change Fund (former Water Savings Fund) has supported 30 stormwater harvesting projects in the Sydney region to the value of over $10 million.
Sydney Water is supportive of such stormwater harvesting projects and is assisting local councils across the metropolitan area to investigate stormwater reuse opportunities. Sydney Water has also developed a stormwater harvesting agreement allowing external parties to harvest stormwater from Sydney Water’s stormwater system.
Sydney Water is currently negotiating stormwater harvesting agreements with local councils in the metropolitan area. One successful agreement that was formed in 2008-09 was with the City of Sydney. Sydney Water will invest $100,000 in the operation and maintenance of the pilot stormwater harvesting and reuse scheme at Sydney Park, Alexandria. The outcomes of the pilot will be used to assess the feasibility of Sydney Water proceeding with the full-scale scheme.
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Table 4: Drinking water savings and recycled water used in 2008-09
Source (STP) Scheme Type of use Scheme in operation
Drinking water savings (ML/yr)1
Recycled water used (ML/yr)
Onsite Reuse
All STP’s Onsite reuse in STP’s Industrial -- 2,115 15,549
Offsite Reuse
Quakers Hill Ashlar Golf Course, Blacktown Irrigation 1974 - 90
Castle Hill Castle Hill Golf Course, Castle Hill Irrigation 1983 - 111
Bombo Kiama Golf Course, Kiama Irrigation 1998 - 97
Picton Carlton Farm, Picton Irrigation 1999 - 422
St Mary’s Dunheved Golf Course, Dunheved Irrigation 2000 3 68
Rouse Hill Rouse Hill Recycled Water Scheme Residential 2001 1,704 1,704
Gerringong (Gerroa) Aorangi Farm, Gerroa Irrigation 2002 - 111
West Camden Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Scheme, Menangle
Irrigation 2007 - 405
West Camden West Camden Agricultural Release Irrigation 2008 - 2,096
Richmond Richmond Golf Course, Richmond & University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury
Irrigation 1967, 1996 - 277
Liverpool Warwick Farm Race Course & Liverpool Golf Course
Irrigation 1980 & 2004 32 91
Penrith Hickeys Lane Reserve, Penrith & Penrith Stage 1
Irrigation 1994 & 2007 11 20
Wollongong2 Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme stage 1 (BlueScope Steel) & Wollongong Stage 2 (Port Kembla Coal Terminal, Wollongong Golf Course)
Industrial & irrigation
2006 & 2009 4,398 4,398
West Hornsby Tanker reuse - 2009 - 2
Wollongong Tanker reuse - 2009 - 1
External Schemes
Water Reclamation and Management System
SOPA (non Sydney Water scheme) Irrigation/ Residential
2000 823 823
Groundwater Botany Orica (non Sydney Water scheme)
Industrial 2007 927 927
Total 10,014 27,192 1. Drinking water savings for recycled water schemes in operation after 1999. 2. Recycled water supplied and drinking water savings have reduced compared to 2007-08 due to the Wollongong Recycled Water
Plant being offline for part of the year.
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Sewer Mining The NSW Government is facilitating the development of sewer mining and stormwater harvesting schemes. Many of these schemes receive funding from the Climate Change Fund (former Water Savings Fund). Sydney Water has issued guidelines that detail approvals required for a sewer mining proposal. Sydney Water developed a standard sewer mining agreement which is available on the Sydney Water website.
Sydney Water has organised two free seminars on sewer mining, highlighting case studies and how to establish sewer mining operations. Sydney Water has processed in excess of 60 sewer mining applications, but does not control all the factors that determine whether or not these proposals proceed.
The Pennant Hills Golf club has tapped into Sydney Water's sewer to produce recycled water to irrigate its golf course. The club will save up to 100 ML/year of drinking water and received $1,100,000 funding from the former Water Savings Fund.
Kogarah City Council is using recycled water from Sydney Water’s sewer to irrigate its parks, playing fields and the Beverley Park Golf Course. This project will recycle 125 ML/year of wastewater.
A development in Pyrmont known as Workplace 6 has a sewer mining facility in operation, which should save 16 ML/year.
Macquarie University is building a sewer mining project to irrigate sporting fields. This project, which incorporates innovative reed bed technology, could save up to 50 ML/year of water. The university received a grant of $350,000 from the former Water Savings Fund.
Caltex and Koppers at Kurnell entered into a funding agreement for $5.18 million from the former Water Savings Fund and remain committed to developing this sewer mining project. Treated effluent will be extracted from the Cronulla STP outfall pipeline and further treated for industrial uses. This project could save up to 2,000 ML/year of water.
Among others who are progressing sewer mining proposals are the Darling Walk redevelopment at Darling Harbour (25 ML/year), the 1 Bligh St Sydney redevelopment known as “Space” (40 ML/year), North Ryde Golf Club (100 ML/year) and Sydney Airport (100 ML/year).
4.7. Pilot programs Sydney Water trialled a number of programs in 2008-09. These pilots target water efficiency in residential and business use as well as reducing leaks.
The Spray Gun pilot commenced in 2008-09 and aimed to retrofit inefficient spray guns with water efficient models and assess the savings that could be achieved. The manufacturing sector was identified as the sector where most savings were achievable. On average, it was identified that all business sectors could reduce their spray gun water use by an average of 57%. The pilot exceeded the target (120) and installed 240 efficient spray guns, saving 19 ML/year.
The Water Saver Grant pilot awarded 41 grants between $2,000 and $20,000 to small and medium water using businesses in 2008-09. Grants were awarded to implement water efficiency measures based on cost effectiveness to businesses from various sectors including hospitality, commercial and industrial. In 2008-09 water savings of 131 ML/year have been achieved.
The Councils Partnership Pilot involves Sydney Water and Councils working together to assist small and medium water using businesses to achieve water savings. Sydney Water is co-funding the employment of 10 project officers working across 12 Council areas to determine the effectiveness of this approach. The councils participating in this program from 1 July 2009 include Auburn Council, The Hills Shire Council, Fairfield City Council, Hornsby Shire Council, Leichhardt Municipal Council, Canada Bay Council, Parramatta City Council, Randwick Council, Waverley Council, Woollahra Municipal Council, City of Ryde and City of Sydney.
The HiRise pilot is targeting 30 high-rise buildings over three years to improve water efficiency in this sector.
The WaterSmart Sydney pilot will test a new methodology for engaging households to increase their water efficiency. Sydney Water is running it with the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. The understanding gained from this pilot will determine if this approach has the potential to achieve cost-efficient water savings on a larger scale. Informed decision making on the priority of future water efficiency programs will also be investigated.
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The Residential Concealed Leak Detection & Repair pilot commenced mid way through 2008-09. It uses meter reading data to flag possible concealed leaks. Sydney Water offers a free leak detection service, where a concealed leak is suspected. If the service detects a leak the customer is provided with a quote to carry out the repair. In 2008-09, 543 letters have been sent to residents with suspected leaks. To date, 42 concealed leaks have been identified as part of this pilot.
Leak detection on large pipes is expensive and technically difficult. The Sahara technology was successfully trialled and will be used in 2009-10 to survey 10 km of trunk mains. Sydney Water is still continuing to trial other alternative technologies. Results will be known in 2009-10.
Sydney Water has also been investigating new outdoor residential programs in the areas of remote sensing irrigation, irrigation, maintenance and design, accredited garden centres and reducing water loss from pools. These investigations will continue in 2009-10.
4.8. Regulatory measures
As well as taking direct action to reduce water demand, Sydney Water supports the development and implementation of a range of regulatory processes for the sustainable use of water resources.
Some forms of regulation are highly effective in reducing water demand at a relatively low cost to the community. These include: • pricing signals • ongoing outdoor water saving measures
(appliance rating, labelling and minimum performance standards)
• urban planning regulation – BASIX.
In addition to these measures, the NSW Government is investigating a range of regulatory measures for commercial and industrial premises, and possible measures to provide information on a dwelling’s water efficiency when it is sold.
Pricing signals IPART has set a four-year program of Sydney Water prices, from 2008-09 to 2011-12. There are increases in both water and
wastewater prices. For a household consuming 200 kL a year, in 2008-09, the overall bill was 17% higher than the previous year.
In 2009-10, the increase will be 11.2% including CPI. Over the course of the four-year program, 2008-09 until 2011-12, the total increase will be 15.5% plus CPI. This includes the increase in prices Sydney Water pays for ‘bulk’ or raw water to the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA).
The impacts of increasing prices on water use, particularly outdoor water use are difficult to measure during a drought when restrictions are in place. Even without restrictions, Water Wise Rules may make it difficult to differentiate the impact of price. For this reason, savings from pricing are jointly reported with savings for outdoor water conservation measures (see section 4.2).
In addition to changing the price structure, Sydney Water is investigating mechanisms to reduce water use in multi unit dwellings through individual metering. For example, few strata units and flats are individually metered. As a consequence, most unit owners in multi-residential developments pay for a share of the building’s total water use, rather than paying for their unit’s actual use.
National Water Conservation Rating and Labelling Scheme The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme is a national scheme that: • includes mandatory ratings and labelling
for a range of appliances and fittings • develops minimum performance
standards for products.
The products covered by the scheme are clothes washing machines, dishwashers, showers, taps and flow controllers, toilet equipment and urinals. The water efficiency scheme is managed by the Australian Government’s Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts - the same government department that has responsibility for the national energy labelling scheme.
The mandatory standards are currently in place for toilets. The Regulation Impact Statements (RIS) for plumbing and additional products are both currently in the drafting stage. The RIS documents should be completed end of 2009.
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Sydney Water estimates savings of 3,220 ML/year have been achieved in 2008-09 by consumers buying more efficient appliances. The WELS scheme should increase the availability and market share of more efficient appliances, leading to increased savings in future years. Savings of 6,602 ML/year are expected by 2010-11.
Water efficient washing machines for sale in retail outlets
Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) The NSW Government introduced BASIX, the Building Sustainability Index, in 2004. BASIX is a state-wide planning policy that ensures new residential dwellings are designed to use less drinking water and are responsible for fewer greenhouse gas emissions by setting energy and water reduction targets.
BASIX for new homes uses a NSW benchmark to set a reduction target. The water benchmark equals 90,337 litres per person a year and is based on average NSW per person water use in 2002-03. From this benchmark, a reduction target of 40% is required for all new homes. There are a range of options to meet the BASIX reduction target, including using recycled water, rainwater tanks, water efficient devices and water efficient appliances.
BASIX for alterations and additions differs from BASIX for new homes in that there is no set reduction target. Instead, the scheme sets specific requirements for building work, based on the type of project. These requirements have some flexibility and apply only to the section of the home that is being renovated.
Sydney Water has provided data and advice to the Department of Planning to develop BASIX. Sydney Water and the Department of Planning are currently progressing a joint monitoring and evaluation program for BASIX. The monitoring program will assess the performance of BASIX compliant homes against reduction targets and inform the BASIX policy, assumptions and calculations.
It is estimated that the BASIX program is now saving about 3,381 ML/year, and that this will increase to 7,162 ML/year by 2010-11.
4.9. Externally managed projects
Other water efficiency projects or initiatives currently being managed by external government agencies include: • Water Savings Action Plans • Climate Change Fund • National Rainwater and Greywater
Initiative • Green Precincts Fund • Hawkesbury-Nepean River Recovery
Project.
Water Savings Action Plans 240 business and 40 government sites using more than 50 ML/year of water, and all 44 councils in Sydney, Blue Mountains and the Illawarra are required to prepare Water Savings Action Plans. The NSW Government expects that these high water users will implement cost effective actions to realise water and cost savings and contribute to more sustainable operations. It is expected that organisations that implement Water Savings Action Plans, will achieve average water savings of 20%.
Climate Change Fund As of 1 July 2007, the Climate Change Fund replaced the Water Savings Fund. The Water Savings Fund was initially established in 2005 to provide $30 million a year for four years to deliver significant water savings across Sydney.
Businesses, councils and NSW Government agencies are able to apply to the fund for monies to support water saving initiatives.
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Many of the projects are identified through Sydney Water's EDC Business Program.
The Climate Change Fund administered by DECCW incorporates the expanded Water and Energy Savings Funds, the Climate Action Grants Program and some funding from the Environmental Trust. A total of $340 million will be spent over five years (www.environment.nsw.gov.au).
Eight water saving projects were funded as part of the Climate Change Fund under the Green Business Program. It is estimated that these projects will save 164 ML of drinking water (www.environment.nsw.gov.au).
National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative As part of the $12.9 billion Federal Water for the Future Plan, the NSW Government is delivering the $250 million National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative to help people use water efficiently.
The National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative will help households and surf lifesaving clubs save drinking water by installing rainwater tanks and greywater systems.
The Australian Government is providing rebates of up to $500 for households to install rainwater tanks or greywater systems and grants to surf lifesaving clubs of up to $10,000 to install a rainwater tank or undertake a larger water saving project (www.environment.gov.au).
Green Precincts Fund The Green Precincts Fund is an Australian Government initiative to prepare Australia for a future with less water and to encourage local communities to better manage their water and energy use for current and future generations. It is also part of the $12.9 billion Federal Water for the Future Plan.
Funding has been granted to the Sydney Theatre Company in NSW for projects including rainwater harvesting storage and reticulation saving 1.5 ML/year.
Hawkesbury-Nepean River Recovery Project The Parliamentary Secretary for Water announced details of a $77.4 million funding package to help restore the health of the
Hawkesbury-Nepean River. The funding will go to a range of programs that will help to save and recycle water used in irrigation.
Sydney Water has been awarded a portion of the funds for the Irrigation and Landscape Efficiency Project (ILEP). The ILEP project aims to save 1.06 GL/year of water through improved technology and land management practices to promote efficient irrigation. Irrigation and landscape assessment will be offered at no cost to State government and local government facilities and with 50:50 co-funding to commercial facilities. Based on the recommendations, on-ground measures will be implemented on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis (www.environment.gov.au).
4.10. Community education
Given the complexity of greater Sydney’s water system, Sydney Water increased its focus on face-to-face community education in 2009.
Sydney Water launched a Speakers Program during Water Week in October 2008 to heighten awareness around steps being taken to secure Sydney’s Water supply. Sydney Water has presented to groups such as Rotary clubs, teacher’s networks, local councils, businesses and Probus groups. Feedback has been positive with an average of 95% of participants gaining a better understanding of Sydney’s water supply.
Further details on individual campaigns are found in Appendix 7.
4.11. Research and development activities
Sydney Water carried out a range of water conservation research and development activities in 2008-09. The key areas for water efficiency research included: • assessing the reliability of existing data
and baseline assumptions of water use
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• identifying and assessing alternative servicing options including new technologies and treatment processes
• improving understanding of customer behaviours about the impacts of future water efficiency initiatives
• understanding the impacts of climate change on supply and demand
• assessing alternative technologies for identifying leaks.
The following section reports on some of the highlights and significant projects completed this year relevant to the themes outlined above.
Measuring water savings through the Building and Sustainability Index (BASIX) Sydney Water and the Department of Planning are undertaking an in-depth monitoring study to determine whether the 40% water savings target set under the BASIX policy is being achieved. The study will take place in several stages including analysis of compliance trends, water savings and on-ground site verification.
The findings of the first round of water consumption monitoring included analysis of 12 months of water consumption data for a sample of 834 verified BASIX occupied single dwellings, located within Sydney Water’s area of operation. The analysed sample achieved the 40% BASIX water reduction target during the monitoring period, with an average saving of 40.5% relative to the BASIX benchmark.
Sydney Water is now undertaking the second stage of its monitoring study. This involves doing an on-ground survey and audit of BASIX installations within a selected residential area (about 500 properties). The survey will be designed to identify the feasibility and barriers experienced by the residents in the following areas: • installing BASIX appliances such as
showers, grey-water systems and rainwater tanks
• operating BASIX appliances and identifying issues around equipment, use and cost
• customer behaviour including acceptance and use of technologies and awareness of potential water savings.
The survey will highlight areas where there are constraints and barriers that prevent
BASIX achieving its full water saving potential.
Understanding decentralised recycled water schemes Sydney Water has established an Industry Working Group operating under a Memorandum of Understanding to monitor a cross-section of small scale decentralised recycled water schemes in Sydney.
The Working Group comprises Sydney Water, Blue Sky Consulting, GE Water, Mono Pumps Australia, Permeate Partners and Pennant Hills Golf Club. The main objectives of the working group are for all parties to better understand the implications of decentralised systems and to share knowledge and learnings. Sydney Water also needs to better understand the impacts linked to the interface between decentralised systems and its own operations. This includes issues such as recycled water quality, potable water savings and residuals management. These issues will be investigated by detailed monitoring of the decentralised schemes including metering of water flows, water quality and energy consumption.
Smart Metering Residential Trial at Westleigh Sydney Water is trialing the use of smart metering technology at Westleigh in Sydney’s north-west. This pilot uses smart meters to observe potential changes in customer behaviour in response to receiving real time information about their water use through an in-home display. It will also provide a better understanding of network and household leakage through frequent collection of water use data. The trial involves about 600 residential properties and will help to inform Sydney Water’s future servicing strategies for residential customers. This pilot is underway and will run until mid 2010.
Understanding the impacts of climate change on supply and demand Sydney Water is participating in a climate change study with the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, SCA, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), University of NSW and the Department of Climate
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Change (formerly the Australian Greenhouse Office).
This study models future climate change scenarios and assesses the potential impacts of climate change on water demand in response to various temperature and rainfall scenarios. This study was commissioned in 2006 and will be completed in 2009.
Sydney Water is also doing collaborative research in conjunction with the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority, CSIRO and others to investigate the impacts of climate change on the intensity, frequency and duration of rainfall to more accurately predict future water supply and demand in Western Sydney.
Assessing leak detection technologies Sydney Water has trialed a number of technologies for detecting leaks on large water mains. Three different types of technologies have been trialed: accelerometers, hydrophones and tethered drones.
All three technologies identify leaks by detecting the sound they make. Whereas accelerometers and hydrophones detect the sound from fixed locations on the outside of the pipe, tethered drones detect the sound whilst travelling inside the pipe. The drone is carried down the pipe by a parachute and retrieved by a cable attached to it. Accelerometers are simply attached to the outside of the pipe whereas hydrophones need to be in contact with the water inside the pipe.
This research will establish a toolkit of different technologies and techniques with
different capabilities and costs that will be applied as circumstances require.
Collaborative research Sydney Water has collaborative research agreements in place with a number of industry associations and centres of excellence as shown in Table 5. This investment gives Sydney Water access to a broad research portfolio with external research capabilities and important links to national and international R&D developments.
Several projects within Sydney Water’s R&D portfolio attract significant external co-funding from industry partners, universities, centres of excellence and other State and Federal sources such as the Australian Research Council.
Table 5: Collaborative research
Research agencies Areas of focus
Water Quality Research Australia
Water treatment, quality and public health
Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA)
Water quality, public health, water and energy efficiency and climate change
Water Research Foundation
Water quality and public health and climate change
Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF)
Wastewater treatment, quality and reuse
Water Filtration Plant BOO Partners
Water quality, treatment and new technologies
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5 Water Conservation Strategy 2009-11
5.1. Introduction Sydney Water has developed its 2009-11 Water Conservation Strategy to meet the Operating Licence water conservation target, 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan and NSW State Plan outcomes. The strategy includes: • continuing existing programs • implementing recycled water programs • piloting, developing and implementing
new water efficiency programs.
To ensure the strategy is successfully implemented, it is supported by: • research and development projects
aimed at better understanding demand • program reviews to optimise existing
programs • pilots to assess potential new water
conservation programs • an ongoing review of the demand
forecast to ensure it is as accurate as possible.
5.2. Predicting future water use
Demand is forecast by subtracting, from a baseline, estimated savings from existing programs, proposed programs and savings from restrictions. The water saving assumptions for each of the major water efficiency programs are listed in Appendix 9.
In 2008-09, total demand was 491,962 ML or 309 litres per person a day. If restrictions had not been in place for most of the year demand would have been 372 litres per person a day.
The extent to which customers will retain water saving behaviours following the introduction of Water Wise Rules to replace drought restrictions is difficult to predict. It is assumed that there will be a slow increase in water use as households and people adapt. Sydney Water estimates that there will be up to 30% retention of savings achieved by Level 3 water restriction savings at December 2010 (refer to Figure 10).
Figure 10: Water conservation programs contribution to meeting the Operating Licence target
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5.3. New programs to be delivered in 2009-10
Sydney Water will introduce the following new programs in 2009-10: • School Amenities Replacement Pilot to
assist 25 high water using public schools in Sydney to install water efficiency toilets, urinals, taps and showerheads.
• Hospitals Assistance Program provides upfront funding to the 29 hospitals audited as a part of the Water Efficiency in NSW Government Buildings Project to implement the audit recommendations. Water savings of 1 ML/day are expected. Hospitals will reimburse Sydney Water for funding provided through water savings achieved.
Sydney Water is continuing to consider the development of alternative servicing or decentralised servicing options working with developers, other agencies and research organisations. This includes investigating on-site recycling in residential and commercial developments, potential for stormwater/ rainwater use in infill developments and the quality of rainwater collected in urban areas to identify and clarify suitable uses.
The Sentiment Monitor Study will continue to provide monitoring of consumer sentiment so that Sydney Water can refine and tailor its Water Conservation Strategy to best meet customer needs.
5.4. Planned strategy to 2010-11
The components of Sydney Water’s 2009-11 Water Conservation Strategy are presented in Table 6 and Table 7. This strategy is expected to increase savings to around 128,937 ML of drinking water by 30 June 2011 at a cost to Sydney Water of over $162 million including contributions to the Climate Change Fund.
The strategy includes activities that target: • the residential sector to improve water
efficiency within the household and in the garden
• the business sector, including programs that help private and government business sectors reduce drinking water demand
• leaks from the distribution system, including active leak detection and pressure management
• recycled water substitution, including dual reticulation schemes for new growth areas and industrial recycled water projects.
Sydney Water’s Water Conservation Strategy is diverse and it targets water savings in all water end uses. This diversity will assist Sydney Water to meet the 2010-11 water conservation target.
Looking forward, all sectors are expected to contribute further to the water conservation target. The residential sector will continue to achieve savings through improvements to indoor and outdoor water efficiency. Love Your Garden will be especially critical in reducing outdoor use during non-restricted periods. The EDC Business Program will continue to partner with businesses and government to improve water efficiency within the business sector and accelerate water savings achieved.
Pressure management schemes will be implemented over the coming three years to reduce the frequency of main breaks and further reduce leaks. Sydney Water will continue to actively detect leaks within the distribution system to improve and maintain the savings achieved to date.
Recycled water will increasingly contribute to drinking water savings, with major industrial recycled water schemes due to come online in the later years of the strategy. A number of dual reticulation schemes in new growth areas will also begin in the coming years, as well as the continued expansion of the Rouse Hill Recycled Water Scheme.
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5.5. Program evaluation and ranking
When a gap between forecast demand and the target (329 litres per person per day) is identified, new measures can be developed and implemented if required. When developing new measures, Sydney Water first scans both internally and externally for potential programs. Investigations, pilots and trials are then undertaken for measures that appear to have good potential. These processes enable Sydney Water to quickly deploy new programs if required.
Sydney Water then evaluates both new and existing programs using criteria such as levelised cost. Further information on the evaluation and ranking of programs is provided in Appendix 10. Levelised cost is used to compare water conservation programs with supply side options (refer Appendix 2).
5.6. Sensitivity analysis Sydney Water does sensitivity analysis to gain an indication of the magnitude of uncertainty associated with the water savings for the demand management, leak reduction and recycled water programs.
The methods used for the sensitivity analysis include: • A review of past assumptions • Analysing programs to identify the
difference between planned and actual water savings
• Forecasting high, medium and low water savings for each program to 2010-11.
Preliminary results indicate that water saving forecasts for mature programs (four year or more) have an error of 10% or less. Water savings forecasts for immature programs (three years or less) typically have an error of 20-100%.
Forecast high, medium and low water savings to 2010-11 were based on Sydney Water’s experience with existing programs and customer feedback. The sensitivity analysis on the water savings for each program is detailed in Appendix 11.
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5.7. Forecast water savings to 2010-11 Table 6: Forecast water savings1 (ML/year)
Program 2009-10 2010-11
Residential
WaterFix 9,985 10,110
DIY Water Saving Kits 790 818
Washing Machine Rebates 3,315 3,574
Rainwater Tank Rebate 1,828 1,953
Love Your Garden 2,103 2,279
Toilet Replacement Service 350 579
Water Wise Rules 19,000 19,000
Business
Business programs2 23,903 25,249
Smart Rinse 925 1,115
BizFix 212 538
Top 100 Online Monitoring 30 99
Hospital Assistance Program 30 152
Schools Programs
Every Drop Counts in Schools 248 307
Rainwater Tanks in Schools 47 50
Leak reduction
Active Leak Detection and Repair3 22,959 22,685
Pressure Management Program 4,088 5,968
Improved leak/break response times 730 730
Recycled water
Operational schemes:
Existing STP reuse and minor recycling4 2,160 2,160
Rouse Hill Recycled Water Scheme (stage 1 & 2) 5, 6 1,713 1,731
Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme (stage 1 & 2) 7,884 7,884
Botany - Orica (non Sydney Water scheme) 1,643 2,008
SOPA (non Sydney Water scheme) 823 823
Schemes under development7:
Rosehill/Camellia Recycled Water Scheme 0 2,333
Kurnell (non Sydney Water scheme) 730 2,190
Regulatory measures
WELS 4,224 6,602
BASIX 4,613 7,162
Pilots
Spray Gun 19 19
Water Saver Grant 195 259
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Program 2009-10 2010-11
Councils Partnership 120 361
HiRise 27 73
WaterSmart Sydney 5 10
School Amenities Replacement 0 119
Total 114,696 128,937 1. Only water savings achieved since 1999 are included. 2. This includes savings from the One-to-One Partnerships, Climate Change Fund, Water Saving Action Plans, Pilot Water Savings
Fund, NSW Government Buildings and Enhanced Water Savings Fund. Levelised cost is for costs and savings from One-to-One Partnerships only.
3. From 2010-11, it is anticipated that the length of pipeline inspected will decrease in line with the latest estimate of economic level of leakage.
4. Based on the 1998-99 drinking water use at STPs as baseline (2,555 ML/year). 5. The savings for Rouse Hill Recycled Water Scheme Stage 2 have been adjusted to avoid double counting with BASIX. 6. Excludes capital costs for Stage 1. 7. Scheme may still be in the planning phase. Financial viability may need to be confirmed.
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5.8. Forecast expenditure to 2010-11 Table 7: Forecast Sydney Water yearly program investment (gross $’000)
Program 2009-10 2010-11
Residential
WaterFix 1,763 1,687
DIY Water Saving Kits 330 393
Washing Machine Rebates 5,177 0
Rainwater Tank Rebate 2,546 2,745
Love Your Garden 2,085 2,264
Toilet Replacement Service 6,557 5,782
Business
Business programs1 3,317 3,379
Smart Rinse 1,239 564
BizFix 1,108 1,536
Top 100 Online Monitoring 592 246
Hospital Assistance Program 613 1,889
Recycled water program development and managing existing schemes2 794 722
Schools Programs
Every Drop Counts in Schools3 320 320
Rainwater Tanks in Schools 152 155
Leak reduction
Active Leak Detection and Repair 6,600 6,140
Pressure Management Program 13,810 17,880
Improved leak/break response times 4,000 4,000
Recycled water
Operational schemes:
Existing STP reuse and minor recycling4 550 550
Rouse Hill Recycled Water Scheme (Stage 1 & 2) 2,310 2,310
Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme (Stage 1) 3,000 3,000
Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme (Stage 2) 200 200
Schemes under development5:
Hoxton Park Recycled Water Scheme 13,500 29,800
Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme Stage 3 - 3,300
Pilots
Councils Partnership 804 0
HiRise 697 642
Program management
Program Management 293 301
Total 72,357 89,805 1. Includes the One-to-One Partnerships, and development costs. 2. This is the cost to Sydney Water for developing recycled water programs within the business sector. 3. This program now includes detecting leaks in schools. 4. Costs for recycling schemes include costs expected to be incurred only by Sydney Water such as planning, operating and some capital costs. Many of these projects involve significant investment by developers or the private sector, which is not captured in this table. 5.Scheme may still be in the planning phase. Financial viability may need to be confirmed.
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Appendix 1 Reporting requirements reference
Table 8 provides a guide to auditors on how the Water Conservation and Recycling Implementation Report meets the reporting requirements of Section 9 of Sydney Water’s Operating Licence and Ministerial requirements arising from previous Operating Licence audits.
Table 8: Reporting guide for auditors
Reporting requirement Subject Location in Report
Clause 9.1.1 Actions taken to reduce the quantity of water drawn
Sections 3, 4 and 5
Clause 9.1.2 Weather correction Appendix 5 – Correcting for Climate
Clause 9.1.3 Report on progress This report
Clause 9.1.2 Demand side planning Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Clause 9.2.2 Annual report on progress This report
Clause 9.2.3 (a) Past present and projected water uses Appendix 3 – water use trends
Clause 9.2.3 (b) Supply deficiencies Appendix 2 – Managing supply deficiencies
Clause 9.2.3 (c) Conservation measures practised Section 4
Clause 9.2.3 (d) Evaluate additional measures Section 5
Clause 9.2.3 (e) Future initiatives Sections 4 and 5
Clause 9.2.3 (f) Evaluate future plans in terms of cost and contrast with alternative water supplies
Sections 1, 2 , 5 and Appendix 2 - Managing supply deficiencies
Clause 9.2.3 (g) Prioritisation of initiatives Section 5
Clause 9.2.3 (h) Reducing water leakage Section 4, Appendix 8 – water leakage
Clause 9.2.3 (i) Water balance table Appendix 8 – water leakage
Clause 9.2.3 (j) Consumption of water across sectors Appendix 8 – water leakage
Clause 9.2.3 (k) Schedule Appendix 6- Water conservation reporting schedule
Clause 9.3.1 & 9.3.2 Reducing discharges Section 4
Clause 9.4.1 & 9.4.2 Rating and labelling Section 4
Clause 9.1.1 Actions taken to reduce the quantity of water drawn
Sections 3, 4 and 5
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Appendix 2 Managing supply deficiencies
This appendix addresses the requirement in clause 9.2.3(b) of Sydney Water’s Operating Licence to describe the frequency and magnitude of supply deficiencies, including those arising as a result of wastage or loss, drought or emergency.
The regulatory framework The regulatory framework establishes the parameters within which Sydney Water and the SCA operate in relation to drought and expected supply deficiencies.
SCA Operating Licence The SCA's Operating Licence requires that the SCA provide an estimate of yield. The water supply system yield is the maximum annual average demand that can be supplied by the water supply system whilst conforming to the SCA’s design criteria. The SCA estimates yield using the Water Headworks Network model. The SCA is required to report to the Minister, IPART and the public on the current estimate of the water supply system yield within 12 months of the commencement date of its Operating Licence. It must also report on yield when significant events occur such as the end of a drought, or major modifications to catchment infrastructure works.
Demand – Supply balance The 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan addresses the medium term demand-supply balance and ensures that Sydney is well placed to meet its water needs in the long term. The NSW Government’s Metropolitan Water Plan outlines the measures that ensure Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains have enough water now and in the future (to at least 2015). It is reviewed every four years.
The plan is currently being reviewed. The review is considering the economic, social and environmental costs and benefits of a range of options to secure Sydney's demand-supply balance into the long term. The review will identify the optimum mix of demand and supply measures to meet Sydney's water needs as population grows and in drought.
Sydney Water is participating in this review of the Metropolitan Water Plan. A revised Plan will be developed for 2010.
Responding to drought - Drought management As described in the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan, drought in Sydney is managed by a range of actions to increase supplies or reduce demand. During the recent drought these have included: • imposing restrictions on demand (Levels 1
to 3 in the recent drought) in response to decreasing storage levels
• transfers from the Shoalhaven system • constructing works to access deep
storages in Warragamba and Nepean Dams
• halving interim environmental flows from dams on the Hawkesbury-Nepean when storages reached 40%
• establishing the feasibility of desalination and groundwater
• increasing recycling and water savings measures to reduce demand
• proceeding to construct a desalination plant.
The 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan outlines a new approach to managing high impact droughts. This approach focuses on non-rainfall dependent options such groundwater and desalination. These options provide a safety net for water supply.
Responding to emergency In the event of an emergency such as the physical loss of storage or transfer systems, individual supplies may be affected.
Sydney Water and the SCA have detailed business continuity plans and procedures for responding to incidents and emergencies.
Responding to wastage or loss Sydney Water has prepared a detailed response to wastage and loss through Sydney Water’s Leak Reduction Program. This is described in section 4.5.
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Appendix 3 Water use trends Long term water demand trends
Figure 11: Total water demand since 1952
Figure 12: Per person water demand since 1952
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Sector water demand trends
Figure 13: Residential sector water demand – volumetric
Figure 14: Residential houses water demand – per property
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Figure 15: Residential units water demand – per unit
Figure 16: Industrial water demand – per property
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Figure 17: Commercial water demand – per property
Figure 18: Government and institutional water demand – per property
Note: The increase in 2005-06 of the number of properties in the government and institutional sector is due to the inclusion of public hospitals and state schools in this category of customers. The decrease of average consumption in 2003-04 was due to the introduction of water restrictions and reclassification of some properties previously included in this sector.
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Water leaks
Figure 19: Water leaks
Note: Percentages from 2005-06 are calculated using a base of total water supplied in 2005-06.
Sector water demand forecasts The following charts show forecast demand in each major sector and the impact of water conservation programs on future demand in that sector.
Figure 20: Residential sector water demand forecast
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Figure 21: Business sector water demand forecast
Figure 22: Forecast of non revenue water
Note: Refer to Appendix 8 Water Balance for components that make up non revenue water.
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Appendix 4 Residential water use in Australia
Table 9 provides information on the volume of water supplied by major utilities around Australia to residential areas. These utilities provide water to over 100,000 residential customers (National Water Commission 2009).
Table 9: Average annual residential water supplied (kL/property) 2001-02 to 2007-08
Major Utility State 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08
Water Corporation – Perth WA 289* 260* 285* 277* 268* 281* 268*
ACTEW Corporation ACT 325 320 248 240 261* 240* 195*
SA Water –Adelaide Metropolitan
SA 252 273 245* 235* 233* 235* 194*
Sydney Water NSW 251 255 224* 211* 203* 199* 182*
Hunter Water Corporation NSW 209 222 208 197 204 192 177
Gold Coast Water QLD 250* 202* 198* 244 200* 183* 149*
Yarra Valley Water VIC 215 225* 204* 193* 198 178* 157*
Barwon Water VIC 200 219 218 206 216* 169* 156*
South East Water Ltd VIC 210 209* 186* 184* 187 167* 152*
City West Water VIC 212 214* 188* 187* 183 163* 149*
Brisbane Water QLD 268 256 258 264* 185* 153* 128*
* Data affected by water restrictions. Different levels of restrictions were in place at different utilities. This needs to be taken into consideration when comparing results.
In 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08, there was a decline in the water supplied by major utilities. This reflects the effects of ongoing drought conditions and the consequent impact of water restrictions and conservation efforts.
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Appendix 5 Correcting for weatherWeather correction Climatic conditions have a strong influence on the levels of customer water use, predominantly through their impact on residential outdoor use. Water use by residential customers is seasonal with higher use over the summer months and the lowest use during the colder winter months. Short term fluctuations in water use significantly above or below the seasonal trend can also result from day-to-day, and week-to-week changes in the weather.
The purpose of weather correction of demand is to remove, as far as practicable, the impact of the climatic variations to determine how much water would have been used under 'average weather conditions'. This is important, as year-to-year total demand figures may show significant variation. Weather correction is necessary for monitoring and identifying the underlying demand trends.
The weather correction model used by Sydney Water does not remove the seasonal variations in demand. Corrections, however, are made for weather conditions (temperature, rainfall and an evaporation index) that are significantly above or below average for that period of the year.
Sydney Water will review its Climate correction model in 2009-10.
Measuring against an ‘average year’ Sydney Water uses a climate correction model that reports ‘average year’ demand as a 365 day rolling average of water use in litres per person per day.
Results from the climate correction model at 30 June 2008, as shown in Figure 23, estimate an upward correction to demand (i.e. under normal weather conditions we would have used more water than actual). The 365-day moving average of demand at 30 June 2009 was 309 litres per person per day with a weather correction of +0.5 litres per person per day. This gives a weather corrected demand of 310 litres per person per day at 30 June 2009, a 39% reduction on 1991 base year consumption (506 litres per person per day). Weather corrected per person demand has been decreasing since early 2002 with the trend decline steepening since mandatory restrictions were introduced in October 2003. The margin of weather correction has been in a relatively narrow band of around ± 5 litres per person per day since December 2003. This reflects the fact that the restrictions remove much of the variation in demand that is due to climatic changes.
Figure 23: Weather correction
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Appendix 6 Water conservation reporting schedule Table 10: Water conservation reporting schedule – Actual Performance 2008-09
Water savings (ML/yr) Net expenditure ($'000) Sydney Water performance indicators Results Program
Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual111
Residential indoor
WaterFix 146 171 1,980 1,792 Number of households serviced 7,000 8,193
DIY Water Saving Kits 73 66 220 244 Number of kits distributed 15,000 16,501
Washing Machine Rebate 406 626 4,200 6,588 Number of rebates paid 26,500 40,317
Toilet Replacement Service 229 212 980 1,637 Number of toilets replaced 9,000 9,981
Residential outdoor
Love Your Garden 797 858 2,540 2,849 Targeted landscape assessments completed 7,500 8,079
Rainwater Tank Rebate 313 161 4,090 2,671 Number of rebates paid for tanks installed 7,000 4,860
Education, water saving measures and pricing 0 0 0 0 Communications design developed N/A 2
EDC Business Program
One to One Partnerships2 1,460 2,853 3,010 4,477 Number of partnerships formed (previously reported as number of MoU’s signed)
10 19
Smart Rinse 317 507 1,160 1,128 Number of valves fitted 1,250 2,011
BizFix N/A 0 678 308 Number of installations 41 8
Top 100 Online Monitoring N/A 0 350 297 Number of sites online (connected) 50 61
School Programs
EDC in Schools3 58 60 200 294 Number of schools participating in the leakage component
40 40
Rainwater Tank in Schools Rebate 4 3 200 83 Number of rebates paid for tanks installed 25 19
Leak reduction
Active Leak Detection and Repair 1,897 985 6,600 6,545 Number of kms of watermain inspected for leaks 21,000 21,021
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Water savings (ML/yr) Net expenditure ($'000) Sydney Water performance indicators Results Program
Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual111
Pressure Management Program 4,142 2,592 12,720 15,113 Number of pressure management schemes established
43 46
Improved leak/break response time 0 0 4,000 4,000
Water Recycling
Recycled water program development and management
N/A N/A 692 675
Enabling programs
Residential customer research N/A N/A N/A 649 Number of research activities completed to determine customer attitudes towards water conservation
N/A 14
Program management N/A N/A 720 164 1. Actual work completed in 2008-09 has been slightly adjusted to ensure the total figure reported in 2008 matches the total to date. 2. This includes savings from the One to One Partnerships, Pilot Water Savings Fund, Enhances Water Savings Fund, Climate Change Fund, Water Saving Action Plans and NSW Government Water
Efficiency. 3. This program now includes detecting leaks in schools.
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Table 11: Water conservation reporting schedule – Expected Performance 2009-10
Water savings (ML/yr) Net expenditure ($'000) Sydney Water performance indicators Results Program
Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual
Residential indoor
WaterFix 67 1,572 Number of households serviced 6,400
DIY Water Saving Kits 14 286 Number of kits distributed 5,000
Washing Machine Rebate 259 5,168 Number of rebates paid 30,000
Toilet Replacement Service 126 2,187 Number of toilets replaced 11,845
Residential outdoor
Love Your Garden 88 1,931 Number of properties participated 5,025
Rainwater Tank Rebate 63 2,538 Number of rebates paid for tanks installed 4,000
Education, water saving measures and pricing 0 0 Communications design developed 3
EDC Business Program
One to One Partnerships1 722 2,917 Number of partnerships formed (previously reported as number of MoU’s signed)
0
Smart Rinse 158 1,239 Number of valves fitted 1,250
BizFix 212 941 Number of installations 132
Top 100 Online Monitoring 30 592 Number of sites online (connected) 97
Hospital Assistance Program Project under development
School Programs
EDC in Schools2 29 320 Number of schools contacted 40
Rainwater Tank in Schools Rebate 1 153 Number of rebates paid for tanks installed 20
School Amenities Replacement Pilot Project under development
Leak reduction
Active Leak Detection and Repair 0 6,600 Number of kms of watermain inspected for leaks
21,000
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Water savings (ML/yr) Net expenditure ($'000) Sydney Water performance indicators Results Program
Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual
Pressure Management Program 657 13,810 Number of pressure management schemes established
30
Improved leak/break response time 0 4,000
Water Recycling
Recycled water program development and management
N/A N/A 794
Enabling programs
Program management N/A N/A 293 1. This includes savings from the One to One Partnerships, Pilot Water Savings Fund, Enhances Water Savings Fund, Climate Change Fund, Water Saving Action Plans and NSW Government Water
Efficiency. 2. This program now includes detecting leaks in schools.
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Appendix 7 Community educationSydney Water participated in Community education activities throughout 2008-09 and these are listed in Table 12. The table also outlines activities undertaken to actively engage key industry groups via the EDC
Business Program. Sydney Water also attended community events, which provided opportunities for face-to-face interaction with customers.
Table 12: Community water conservation education activities 2008-09
Initiative Outcomes
Education for Business customers
The Conserver Magazine The Conserver magazine is published three times a year and gives advice about sustainable water management to businesses. It also showcases water conservation success stories from the EDC Business Program participants.
About 2,300 copies are mailed directly to customers each quarter. Additional hard copies (about 1,000) are distributed face to face to customers and key stakeholders.
EDC Water Conservation Awards The EDC Business Program has an annual awards ceremony to recognise exceptional achievements in water efficiency. The awards also aim to improve public and stakeholder perceptions of the business program.
In 2008, there were winners in five award categories plus eight individual recognition award winners.
Water Efficiency Seminars Water Efficiency Seminars are held for EDC Business customers. The seminars provide an opportunity for industry representatives to hear about recent developments in water efficiency and get advice on new initiatives.
In 2008-09, Sydney Water held three water efficiency seminars. One targeted local councils and the second was aimed at the education sector. A third seminar was run in conjunction with the Aquatic and Recreation Institute about sustainable management of aquatic centres.
Targeted education for residential customers
The Toilet Replacement Service provides customers with the opportunity to have their single flush toilet replaced with a 4-star, dual flush, water efficient toilet.
A direct marketing campaign began in November 2008. About 180,000 customers with single flush toilets have been targeted and 9,977 customers have taken up the offer to date.
Education for schools
The EDC in Schools Program aims to increase awareness and encourages schools to commit to being water efficient. The program provides: • access to education material and teacher
professional development to support water efficiency and develop water responsible citizenship in the school
• water monitoring and alarm systems in 40 selected government schools each year. The target schools are high water using schools and those making water efficiency a priority
• materials to help schools identify leaks by regularly monitoring water use through water meter readings.
A Rainwater Tank Rebate is also available for schools that install a rainwater tank connected to fixed irrigation or internal plumbing.
During 2008-09, the 41 schools that began participation in 2008 achieved estimated savings of 219 ML/year. Water monitoring and alarm systems were installed in 40 additional schools. A total of 81 schools now have the monitoring system installed and have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sydney Water. Professional teacher development was provided for principals, teacher and general assistants in 39 schools. The Kids Design Challenge was sponsored by Sydney Water. This is a joint initiative of DET and the ‘Technology in Primary Schools’ teacher network. 30 schools took part in a 10- week program that aimed to evaluate and improve water use in schools. Classroom resources for schools were developed and distributed to 96 schools and 24 other groups. These included a water audit DVD, curriculum resources, a ‘Water Wise Challenge’ play, as well as games and other activities for kids. 19 rainwater tank rebates were paid.
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Initiative Outcomes
Face-to-face community education
Events Sydney Water’s relationship with Taronga Zoo is just one of Sydney Water’s partnerships. Partnering with the Taronga Zoo gives Sydney Water the opportunity to educate 1.2 million people, including more than 80,000 school children. Each year, Sydney Water runs a month long promotion at Taronga Zoo. The April 2009 promotion included interactive activities for children through a water wise passport activity, displays and giveaways. The promotion highlighted the range of initiatives Sydney Water is undertaking under the Metropolitan Water Plan. Sydney Water also sponsors an on-site sustainable house, which educates visitors about ways to limit the impact of their everyday activities on the environment and water use.
Over 20,000 Waterwise passports were handed out to children during April. The passports contained interactive activities designed to increase awareness and knowledge of water conservation and recycling. More than 10,000 children were rewarded with an educational backpack after finishing the passport activity. 1,300 free DIY water saving kits were distributed.
DIY promotions at events Community events and promotions at railway stations are used to promote and distribute DIY Water Saving Kits.
In 2008-09, over 15,000 kits were distributed at more than 10 railway stations and more than 25 EDC Business Program work sites. Community events included Sydney Water month at Taronga Zoo, HIA Sydney Home Show, Granny Smith Festival, Ferragosto, Live Green and Hornsby Shire Country and Garden Fair.
Speakers Program The Speakers Program aims to communicate how the NSW Government is meeting Sydney’s water supply needs. Groups include Rotary clubs, teacher’s networks, local councils, businesses and Probus groups.
Over 70 presentations were given from October 2008 to June 2009. Feedback from attendees showed that 92% learnt something new and 95% have a better understanding of Sydney’s water supply.
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Appendix 8 Water leakage (water balance)
Estimation of leaks or real losses Sydney Water uses the global water balance approach (Table 13, Table 14) to determine the leakage from the drinking water system. The water balance is a reconciliation of the volume of water produced by Sydney Water’s water filtration plants with all known and estimated end uses, with the remainder deemed to be leakage.
For 2008-09, leakage or real losses is estimated to be 38,445 ML/year. This is slightly lower than the previous year’s result. However, small movements from year to year
should be treated with caution. All data and calculations have errors that need to be borne in mind when interpreting results. As leakage volumes calculated via a water balance are proportionally small, residual errors tend to be magnified. The uncertainty band on leakage as calculated by an annual water balance is estimated to be about ± 25% (95% confidence limit).
Reliable long-term trends require at least three years of trending with five years preferred. This serves to smooth any errors that have occurred during any particular year.
Water balance
Table 13: Water balance 2008-09 (ML)
Billed metered consumption
435,013
Billed authorised consumption
437,760
Revenue water
437,760
Billed unmetered consumption
2,747
Unbilled metered consumption
270
Authorised consumption
442,491
Unbilled authorised consumption
4,731 Unbilled unmetered
consumption
4,462
Unauthorised consumption
490 Apparent losses
9,368 Customer meter under-registration
8,878
Water supplied
490,304
Water losses
47,813
Real losses
38,445
Non revenue water
52,544
Real losses from distribution system
38,445 – 7.3%*
(105 ML/D)
* Percentage in relation to base year of 2005-06 water supplied.
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Table 14: Sectoral consumption 2008-09 (ML)
Single residence 218,093 Multi unit 95,851 Residential Billed metered consumption Other 255 Industrial 41,117 Commercial 45,484 Government 19,144 Primary producers 4,788
Non-residential Billed metered consumption
Other 10,283 Billed unmetered 2,747 Residential and non-
residential Unbilled metered and unmetered consumption 4,732
Recycled water 27,192 Recycled Stormwater -
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Appendix 9 Water savings assumptions Where possible, water saving assumptions are based on measured consumption from existing programs. Assumptions about WaterFix, EDC Business Program, and leak reduction are based on quantified savings gained through the implementation of the program. Sydney Water measures the outcomes of these programs and updates saving assumptions as new information becomes available.
Where recycled water schemes substitute drinking water use, savings are based on
existing consumption data for the relevant customers or similar projects (eg. Rouse Hill data is used for dual reticulation projects).
Where measured data is not available, Sydney Water makes conservative assumptions based on available research. Projected savings include programs that are already being implemented and those that are being planned. The latter have higher margins of uncertainty relating to timing, costs and water savings.
Table 15: Water saving assumptions to 2010-11 and sensitivity around the forecast
Program key assumptions
Residential Indoor
WaterFix Average water savings per household participating in the WaterFix program is assumed to be 20.9 kL/hh/year. High degree of certainty about water saving estimates.
DIY Water Saving Kits Average water savings per distributed DIY kit is 6.73 kL/hh/year. This allows for non-installation or part installation of the DIY kit for some households. High degree of certainty about water saving estimates.
Washing Machine Rebate The rebate for 4 star machines was expected to deliver 24.3 kL/hh/yr. The new rebate program for 4.5 star rated machines will deliver 3.5 kL/hh/year in addition to that a 4 star machine. These savings are adjusted for sales that are assumed to be due to WELS to avoid double counting. Medium degree of certainty about water saving estimates.
Toilet Replacement Service Average water savings for households participating in the Toilet Replacement Service is 25.5 kL/hh/yr. High degree of certainty about water saving estimates.
Residential outdoor
Water Wise Rules Ongoing outdoor water saving measures supported by ongoing community education campaigns similar to Sydney Water’s previous ‘Every Drop Counts’ and ‘Go Slow on the H2O’ campaigns. Savings are estimated at 19,000 ML/year once water restrictions are lifted based on analysis of savings during Level 1 and 2 restrictions. High uncertainty about water savings.
Love Your Garden Participants in the Love Your Garden program are assumed to save 35 kL per year. High uncertainty about water savings.
Rainwater Tank Rebate Based on results to date the expected average water savings for each rainwater tank rebate ranges from 35 to 60 kL/year, depending on installation arrangements and conditions. High uncertainty about water savings.
Business Program
One to One Partnerships Forward water saving and investment assumptions for the EDC Business Program are based on results to date and assessment of market potential. Medium to high certainty of water savings - conservative assumptions based on experience to date.
Smart Rinse Water savings are based on assumed savings of 253 kL/year per valve replaced. High certainty about water savings.
Top 100 Online Monitoring Based on average water savings of 2.5% of average usage by target group. High uncertainty about water savings.
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Program key assumptions
BizFix Assumes water savings of 25% of amenities usage by target group. High uncertainty about water savings.
School Programs
EDC in Schools Installation of permanent smart monitoring and alarm systems is expected to save 5% of total water use at each participating school. It is assumed that the average water use per school is 12.4 kL/d. Medium uncertainty about water savings.
Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate Installation of a rainwater tank is expected to save between 138.6 kL/year – 187.9 kL/year at each participating school, depending on tanks size and water end use. High uncertainty about water savings.
Leak reduction
Active Leak Detection and Repair Assumes Active Leak Detection will be 21,000 km of mains inspected and repaired in 2008-09 and then maintained at a rate consistent with the Economic Level of Leakage beyond that year. Conservative assumptions about water savings based on experience to date.
Pressure Management Assumes about 150 pressure reduction schemes installed over seven years with associated water system adjustments to isolate new pressure zones. Forecast savings have been estimated by the Asset Planning Pressure Management Team based on international accepted algorithms to forecast leakage reduction. Experience in-house and from other pressure management programs within Australia was used to give estimates of the impact of pressure management on customer demand. Conservative assumptions about water savings based on international and Australian experience.
Improved leak/break response time Aims to achieve compliance with Clause 4.13 of the 2005-10 Operating Licence. Savings are based on recorded response times and leakage rates available. Conservative assumptions about water savings based on experience to date.
Water Recycling
Sydney Water STP reuse It is assumed that increases in recycling at Sydney Water STPs contribute to a reduction in drinking water use at the STPs. The water savings are calculated from the reduction in measured drinking water use at the STPs.
Rouse Hill Recycled Water Scheme Savings for stage 1 are based on average measured volumes of water recycled. Savings for stage 2 are estimated using a dwelling forecast and an estimate of average recycled water used per dwelling.
Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme (Stage 1 and 2)
Stage 1 provides highly treated recycled water to BlueScope (Port Kembla) from Wollongong STP – 20 ML/day. Stage 2 provides recycled water up to 1.6 ML/day.
Non-Sydney Water industrial/irrigation schemes (SOPA, Botany – Orica, Kurnell)
Data provided by Department of Water and Energy and Sydney Olympic Park Authority.
Industrial/irrigation schemes under development (Rosehill/Camellia)
Water savings for all these schemes are based on estimates of customer’s drinking water usage and recycled water usage.
Residential schemes under development
Savings are estimated using a dwelling forecast and an estimate of average recycled water used per dwelling. The total is adjusted to avoid double counting with BASIX. Some schemes also include some industrial and irrigation components and water savings for these components are based on estimates of customer water usage.
Regulatory and other measures
BASIX Assumes all new dwellings (both single and multi-residential) use 40% less water than the defined Sydney average household demand. Medium to high certainty of water savings.
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Program key assumptions
WELS It is assumed that the labelling scheme saves 18 kL/hh/year from the replacement washing machines rated below 3 star with a 3 star machine and another 6.3 kL/hh/year if replaced with a 4 star or higher machine. Also 16 kL/hh/year is saved by the replacement of water inefficient showerheads. The overall WELS scheme provides a medium to high certainty of water savings.
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Appendix 10 Program evaluation and ranking
New options - identification, development and assessment Sydney Water identifies potential new programs through scanning of environmental literature both locally and from around the world; programs from other agencies in NSW and other states; from ideas that are developed through the implementation of Sydney Water’s programs; and from ideas by customers and other stakeholders.
Preliminary development of the programs involves estimating costs and savings and determining if the program is practical. Sydney Water uses the preliminary estimates of costs and savings in the program evaluation stage and includes them in a ranked list of programs required to meet the Operating Licence water conservation target. New programs that are required to meet the target are developed further to refine the costs and savings.
Further development for many potential new programs involves Sydney Water piloting or trialing the program. Pilots can determine the best method for implementation and to obtain better estimates for savings and costs. Further development for recycled water projects involves working with customers and developers to determine their recycled water needs, designing schemes, and reaching agreements with customers for the provision of the service.
Program Evaluation Sydney Water makes decisions about which demand options should be pursued considering a range of criteria including economic, environmental, social and aspects of implementation. Sydney Water considers only demand side options in its evaluation. However, supply side options, along with water conservation options, were considered in the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan using a least cost planning approach. Sydney Water has analysed more than 200 demand and supply options in developing the strategy to date.
Sydney Water’s evaluation of existing and potential new programs to meet the target is carried out using a two stage process. First the programs are screened considering community and stakeholder issues and then a Multi-criteria Analysis (MCA) is used. The MCA involves developing a ranked list of programs based on their performance against a number of criteria. Sydney Water carries out the MCA through a series of workshops. These involve firstly agreeing on selection criteria and the weightings to be applied to these. Values for each of these criteria are assigned or calculated for each program to give a score out of 10 for each criterion. Total scores are calculated for each program by multiplying the value by the weighting, and then the programs are ranked based on this score. Finally sensitivity analysis is carried out by adjusting the weightings of the criteria. The criteria used to evaluate the programs are: • utility levelised cost • implementation certainty • magnitude of drinking water savings • environmental benefit.
Levelised cost takes into account the capital and operating costs and water savings for each year over the 30 year analysis period. Yearly costs and water savings are discounted to provide a unit cost for each kilolitre of water saved. The levelised cost equation is found below:
Net present value of cost Levelised cost = Net present value of
water conserved
Costs and benefits can be considered from the following perspectives: • total resource cost – considers the total
cost of implementing an option, disregarding sources of funding or any transfer payments between parties. In effect it measures the total cost to the community to reduce the demand for drinking water. Where appropriate (and
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quantifiable), it also takes into account any system wide economic benefits such as avoided or delayed water cycle capital or operating expenditures due to reduced demand.
• utility cost/benefit – considers the financial cost and benefits to Sydney Water to implement an option. It considers the direct capital or operating cost of option delivery, and any financial benefits such as avoided or delayed capital or operating costs and return cash flows that may be generated from participating customers, for example WaterFix contributions.
• customer cost/benefit – considers the financial costs and benefits to the customer to take up water conservation options. It includes the cost to purchase and install a service or new appliance and any ongoing maintenance costs. It also includes financial benefits from reduced water and/or energy charges.
As the objective of all options is to reduce potable demand, reduced drinking water revenue for the utility due to demand reductions is disregarded in all analyses.
The utility levelised cost is used in this analysis as the objective is to select options that Sydney Water will implement, and the key factor is how much of Sydney Water’s funds will need to be spent to meet the Operating Licence target. Total resource levelised cost is relevant in the wider 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan framework. In 2008-09 the scores for this criterion ranged from 10 for a program with a levelised cost of 13 c/kL (the current wholesale water price), to a score of 6 for a levelised cost of 141 c/kL (the potable price in 2011), to a score of 1 for a levelised cost of 449 c/kL.
Implementation certainty criterion takes into account the likelihood of the program delivering the estimated savings in time (i.e. by 2011), and the likelihood of the cost estimate changing. Existing programs generally have a high certainty as they are currently being delivered, although there may be increasing costs or diminishing savings towards the end of the program. New options that have not been piloted would have a low level of certainty. The scores generally range from 2 (low certainty) to 5 (medium) and up to 8 (high).
The magnitude of potable savings criterion gives preference to programs that achieve significant volumes of savings. The scores range from 1 for 100 ML/year, to 10 for 7,000 ML/year (the approximate amount delivered by the current BlueScope steel recycling project).
The environmental benefit criterion takes into account environmental benefits including reducing discharges to the sewer, stormwater or the environment; and reduction in energy use leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions. For example WaterFix, which involves installing water efficient showerheads, will reduce hot water usage, and therefore reduce discharge to sewer and energy use. Rainwater tanks reduce the discharge to stormwater. The scores generally range from 2 (low certainty) to 5 (medium) and up to 8 (high). – a rating of the likelihood of water savings being achieved.
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Appendix 11 Sensitivity analysis Table 16: Individual program water saving sensitivity analysis
Program 2009-10 2010-11
Residential
WaterFix High 10,001 10,153 Medium 9,985 10,110 Low 9,951 10,012
DIY Water Saving Kits High 797 840 Medium 790 818 Low 787 810
Washing Machine Rebates High 3,470 3,884 Medium 3,315 3,574 Low 3,271 3,487
Rainwater Tank Rebate High 1,849 2,015 Medium 1,828 1,953 Low 1,807 1,890
Love Your Garden High 2,129 2,356 Medium 2,103 2,279 Low 2,103 2,279
Toilet Replacement Service High 369 633 Medium 350 579 Low 331 526
Business
One-to-One Partnerships High 23,967 25,367
Medium 23,903 25,249
Low 23,757 25,048
Smart Rinse High 1,209 1,588
Medium 925 1,115
Low 524 630
Top 100 Online Monitoring High 42 151
Medium 30 99
Low 13 48
BizFix High 212 538
Medium 212 538
Low 74 188
EDC in Schools High 248 307
Medium 248 307
Low 248 307
Rainwater Tanks in Schools High 48 52
Medium 47 50
Low 44 45
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Program 2009-10 2010-11
Leakage
Active Leak Detection and Repair High 22,959 22,822 Medium 22,959 22,685 Low 22,959 22,616
Pressure Management High 4,413 6,481 Medium 4,088 5,968 Low 2,464 3,404
Improved leak/break response times High 730 730 Medium 730 730 Low 730 730
Recycled Water
Operational schemes:
Existing STP reuse and minor recycling High 2,160 2,160 Medium 2,160 2,160 Low 2,160 2,160
Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme (Stage 1 & 2)
High 7,884 7,884
Medium 7,884 7,884 Low 7,884 7,884
Rouse Hill Recycled Water Scheme (Stage 1 & 2)
High 1,715 1,739
Medium 1,713 1,731 Low 1,710 1,723
Botany - Orica (non Sydney Water scheme)
High 1,643 2,008
Medium 1,643 2,008 Low 1,643 2,008
SOPA (non Sydney Water scheme) High 823 823 Medium 823 823 Low 823 823
Schemes under development1:
Rosehill/Camellia Recycled Water Scheme
High 0 2,333
Medium 0 2,333 Low 0 1,633
Cronulla STP Irrigation High 0 275 Medium 0 0 Low 0 0
Quakers Hill Industrial High 0 430 Medium 0 0 Low 0 0
Kurnell (non Sydney Water scheme) High 730 2,190 Medium 730 2,190 Low 730 2,190
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Program 2009-10 2010-11
Regulatory measures
WELS High 4,224 6,731 Medium 4,224 6,602 Low 4,224 6,465
BASIX High 5,268 8,169 Medium 4,613 7,162
Low 3,411 5,352
Water Wise Rules High 20,900 20,900 Medium 19,000 19,000 Low 14,250 14,250
Pilots
Business Water Saver Grant High 195 259 Medium 195 259 Low 195 259
HiRise High 30 80 Medium 27 73 Low 25 66
Spray Gun High 19 19 Medium 19 19 Low 13 13
Council Partnerships High 120 361 Medium 120 361 Low 84 253
School Amenities Replacement High 0 119 Medium 0 119 Low 0 119
Hospital Assistance Program High 38 190 Medium 30 152 Low 23 114
WaterSmart Sydney High 5 10 Medium 5 10 Low 5 10
Total High 118,194 134,596 Medium 114,696 128,937 Low 106,242 117,341
1. Scheme may still be in the planning phase. Financial viability may need to be confirmed.
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Figure 24: Total program water saving sensitivity analysis
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Appendix 12 Glossary
Adaptive management approach Involves an ongoing cycle of review and development. New programs are piloted and existing programs are improved and replaced based on customer feedback, research, lessons learnt, or as more cost efficient options become available.
Baseline forecast The baseline demand forecast estimates the trend of average yearly demand excluding savings from water efficiency programs and restrictions. It represents a ‘do nothing’ forecast, assuming the observed historical trends would continue into the future. The baseline forecast is used as a benchmark for planning, options assessment and evaluation of program effectiveness. In September 2003, NSW Government agencies agreed on a baseline forecast for the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan, by applying average water use of 426 litres per person per day to current Department of Planning projections of population growth adjusted to Sydney Water’s supply area.
Building and Sustainability Index (BASIX)
State wide planning policy that ensures new residential dwellings are designed to use less drinking water and be responsible for fewer greenhouse gas emissions by setting energy and water reduction targets. BASIX also applies to extensions and alterations of existing residential properties.
Business water efficiency programs
Programs that target demand in all non-residential customer sector.
Economic level of leakage The point where the cost of leak reduction activities equals the savings from reduced demand.
Recycled water Recycled water is water that has been used before, and is then cleaned to remove impurities. Recycled water, (sometimes called reclaimed water), comes from wastewater, which includes sewage, greywater and stormwater. Sydney Water treats recycled water to NSW Health standards so that it is suitable and safe for its intended use.
Residential water efficiency programs
Programs that target demand in the residential sector.
Sewer mining The extraction of wastewater upstream and/or downstream of a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) for treatment and reuse as recycled water.
Stormwater harvesting The collection, treatment, storage and use of stormwater runoff.
Water Conservation Strategy Includes leak reduction programs, demand management and recycling projects targeting the residential, business and industrial sectors.
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Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme National scheme that involves mandatory rating and labelling for a range of appliances and fittings.
Water Efficiency Standards National scheme that sets minimum water efficiency standards for a range of appliances and fittings.
Water Wise Rules
In September 2007, the NSW Government announced that common sense Water Wise Rules would begin once dam levels rose enough to replace drought restrictions. These rules will stay in place regardless of dam levels. In June 2009, Water Wise Rules replaced drought restrictions. These rules include:
Sprinklers and watering systems may only be used before 10am and after 4pm on any given day. This avoids the heat of the day. The only exception is that children are allowed to play under a sprinkler on a hot day.
Hand held hoses anytime must be fitted with a trigger nozzle, including washing vehicles. Hoses must not be left running unattended.
No hosing of hard surfaces such as paths or drives except for reasons of health and safety, emergency or construction activity and such hosing can only be carried out using a trigger nozzle or high pressured cleaning device.
Fire hoses may be used for fire fighting activities only.
In June 2009, Water Wise Rules replaced Level 3 restrictions. These rules will remain in place regardless of the dam levels.
Weather Correction The removal of year-to-year variation in consumption relating to changes in weather conditions.
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Appendix 13 List of acronyms and units
AWA Australian Water Association
BOO Build Own Operate
BASIX Building Sustainability Index
CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
DECCW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water
DET Department of Education and Training
DIY Do-it-yourself
DoH NSW Department of Housing
ELL Economic Level of Leakage
EUM End Use Model
EDC Every Drop Counts
hh Household
ILEP Irrigation and landscape efficiency project
IPART Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal
NSW New South Wales
RIS Regulation Impact Statements
STP Sewage Treatment Plant
SCA Sydney Catchment Authority
SOPA Sydney Olympic Park Authority
WELS Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards
WES Water Efficiency Standards
WERF Water Environment Research Foundation
WSAA Water Services Association of Australia
m metres
L litres
kL kilolitres = 1 x 103 litres (‘one thousand litres’)
ML megalitres = 1 x 106 litres (‘one million litres’)
GL gigalitres = 1 x 109 litres (‘one billion litres’)
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Appendix 14 References Australian Government, $77m recovery package announced for Hawkesbury-Nepean River, viewed 29 May 2009, <http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/kelly/2009/mr20090520.html>.
Department of Environment and Climate Change, Climate Change Fund, viewed 29 May 2009, <http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/ccfgbpgrants1.htm >.
Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Water for the Future: Grants and funding, National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative, viewed 27 May 2009, <http://www.environment.gov.au/water/programs/nrgi/index.html>.
National Water Commission (2009) National Performance Report 2007-2008 urban water utilities. Water Services Association of Australia, Victoria, Australia.
NSW Government 2006, 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan, April 2006.
Sydney Water 2003, Water Conservation and Recycling Implementation Report 2002–03, August 2003.
Sydney Water 2004, Water Conservation and Recycling Implementation Report 2003-04, August 2004.
Sydney Water 2005, Water Conservation and Recycling Implementation Report 2004–05, August 2005.
Sydney Water 2006, Water Conservation and Recycling Implementation Report 2005-06, August 2006.
Sydney Water 2007, Water Conservation and Recycling Implementation Report 2006-07, August 2007.
Sydney Water 2008, Water Conservation and Recycling Implementation Report 2007-08, August 2007.
Sydney Water Operating Licence under the Sydney Water Act 1994.
Note: Residential program figures are correct as of 24 July 2009.