Water Sensitivity: Existing Water Policies In Sydney

Introduction

Australia is known to be the driest yet inhabited continent. One of the most prevalent basins, The Murray Darling basin which is a massive river system suffered as a result of droughts and what is known to be as “mal-administration”. The drought phase in 2003-10 was a reminder of the need of awareness towards water consumption and expenditure. Over the recent years, floods and drought cycles have been prevalent which are becoming more significant owing to climate change. Sydney tried to tackle and adapt to the unpredictable weather cycles by means of water restrictions, although, no integrated water conservation related strategy was adopted to tackle the same (ABC News, 2019).

Sydney, as a city, has the oldest form of water related infrastructure in terms of supply and sewage, therefore, it is crucial to align it with modern goals and aims to be able to deliver supplies for the modern city. In 2008, a Sustainable Sydney 2030 Plan was launched by City of Sydney and was aimed to achieve goals of sustainability and make Sydney a green, global and connected city. The water strategy focusses on creating dams, collect rainwater, and treat all sources of water to make it drinkable, channel it to the city and consume only 2% of the drinkable water. Drinking water consumes 50% of our daily water needs, whereas the remaining 50% is for all non-drinking related purposes. An important area of concern is that centralized water solutions are not the most acceptable form of a solution to confront the issue of climate change. (Sydney, 2012)

A decentralized water system is based of multiple systems of water instead of one and promotes use of recycled sources of water resources. This promotes self-sufficiency and mitigates the impact of heat island apart from reducing dependency on drinking water supply capacity. The Master Plan was an efficient attempt to establish that there are alternative forms of water resources available to make the city sustainable and tackle climate change and reduce dependency of centralized water system for drinking water needs. One of the approaches was to introduce the concept of thermal desalination, an innovative technology, which employs a zero-carbon waste-based heat that is generated by means of low carbon electricity, as opposed to the conventional desalination plant which uses a significant amount of electrical energy. (Sydney, 2012)

Stormwater harvesting, in open park and spaces, is another approach to increasing recycled water on an urban scale apart from being environmentally beneficial.

Targets of the Decentralised Water Master Plan:

1. Reduction of mains water consumption by 10% of 2006 levels by 2030. (Policy: Water Efficiency Programs)
2. Reduction of mains water consumption in buildings and operation of Council’s by 10% as compared to the 2006 statistics by 2030. (by the means of water efficiency, and introduction of park or urban scale based alternative water supply) Owing to the growth of buildings of the Council, it is anticipated that the overall water consumption by is subjected to increase by 30 percent. Therefore, aiming a reduction the 2006 mains water use by 10% will effectively help aim towards a subsequent 40% reduction by 2030.
3. 30 per cent of the existing demand of the main water demand to be replaced by recycled or non-potable based water resources by 2030. The 30 % target is based on a collaborative target by both the NSW and the Federal government, which is again based on the national target of 30% of the total wastewater being recycled in Australia by 2030. Of the intended 30%, the 10% is implement by City of Sydney, and remaining 20% is by Federal and NSW governments and their implementing measures.
4. Reduction by 50% of suspended solids and sediments and 15% of nutrients.

Existing Water Policies In Sydney: NSW Planning: Sydney Metropolitan Water

There are many bodies responsible for regulating the water supply and frameworks regarding it in Greater Sydney. It is essential to ensure the water supply is safe and secure apart from sustainable in order to maintain health standards as well as safeguard wellbeing for the Greater Sydney’s population (NSW Government, 2019). The strategic water policies and planning are undertaken up by the NSW Government’s Water and Utilities Branch for all of Greater Sydney, which includes the Illawara and Blue Mountains region (NSW Government, 2019).

As a part of the ongoing duties and responsibilities, they are responsible for

• The implementation of the current Metropolitan Water Plan
• Appropriate Planning to meet the current needs and demands of the urban population
• Ensuring the water regulations and licensing is maintained throughout NSW and is compliant as per the Water Industry Competition Act 2006.
• Planning for drought resilience and subsequent drought management
• Supporting the water rebate scheme.

This body is responsible for advisory and reform works on the urban water policy for the state. They engage with primary stakeholders, community, other government bodies to recognize and analyze the existing factors that are responsible for influencing water supply and demand, as well as the intent, and value of the stakeholders. An insight into the same helps form a structured response into the development of adequate water policies which are meant to deliver on a socio-economically beneficially level apart from being environmentally beneficial (NSW Government, 2019).

Key Stakeholders: Government & Industry

NSW Government works with a number of stakeholders within the industry and government to ensure a collaborative framework-based approach across all the influencing bodies. The water supply is managed by Sydney Water and Water NSW, whereas all technical and strategical advisory work is undertaken by the Sydney Drought Committee and the Independent Water Advisory Panel (IWAP) (NSW Government, 2019).

Following are the government and industry stakeholders and their roles

Minister for Energy and Utilities: This is the NSW’s Government Minister for Water and Utilities Branch

Water NSW: Responsible for managing and protecting the drinking water catchment of the Greater Sydney region, as well as supplying water to Sydney Water, and other water distribution agencies.

Sydney Water: Providing all forms of water related services such as wastewater, storm water and recycled water to Greater Sydney and surrounding regions.

Sydney Drought Committee: Responsible for advising the government on drought management and strategies supporting the same.

IPART: IPART is responsible for providing independent regulatory and advisory services.

Water Industry Competition Act 2006

The Water Industry Competition Act 2006 is aimed to promote investment from the private sector and encourage development in innovative technologies pertaining to the water and wastewater industry. It also helps in establishing a regime that allows third party access to relevant water infrastructural services in New South Wales (IPART, 2019).

WICA is aimed to make IPART responsible for administration related aspects of the licensing scheme, as well as making recommendations to the Minister for Water, and other administration related services (IPART, 2019).

Water NSW Act 2014

The Water NSW Act 2014 focusses on ensuring that the water is compliant with all standards of water quality, and the protection of all catchment areas. It also is responsible for the construction of water management storages (Water NSW, 2019a)

Water NSW Regulation 2013

WaterNSW is responsible for identification and management of impacts of quality of water in catchment areas. The Water NSW Regulation 2013 is intended to protect water quality, by means of restricting access lands adjacent to storage that is meant for drinking water. Pollution related activities are also managed by the regulation which further impacts the water quality. These areas adjacent to water storages are known as Special areas, where access is either prohibited or there is an existing imposition of restriction to protect and promote ecological health by maintaining quality standards of water. The Water Regulation 2013 currently operates under the Water NSW Act 2014. Furthermore, under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, Water NSW has enforcement powers as well (Water NSW, 2019b).

Water Efficiency Programs:

The Proposal

Design Approach

Proposing a stormwater harvesting scheme owing to the potential of the site. This is a strategy aimed to maximize stormwater collection.

Policy: Environment Protection Act, Environment Protection Policy

NSW: It is adopted under the Water Quality Improvement Plans. They form a relevant consideration under s79c of EPA Act 1979 (Environmental Planning & Assessment), especially if the council has been collaborated in the Development Control Plans. (cities, 2015)

Primary Stakeholders For Assessment And Approval Of New Stormwater Harvesting Schemes

All the policies and schemes pertaining to Sydney range over a variable goals and objective towards one common goal towards making Sydney sustainable. Considering the water perspective of the same, there are multiple goals that focusses on drinking water, recyclable water, wastewater, groundwater, greywater and stormwater. Owing to the existing site’s potential of being utilized for storm water harvesting schemes, which can thereby re-cycled to meet drinking water needs of the area (Water, 2013).The primary stakeholders for assessing and approving any new stormwater harvesting schemes are thereby recognized:

NSW Government: Responsible for providing the Metropolitan Water Plan which forms the approach to strategies to ensure Sydney’s water supply is secured.

The Local Councils are responsible for approving the installation maintenance and operation for any recycled water plans that is privately run under Section 68 of Local Government Act 1993.

Sydney Water will manage any contractual agreements with harvesters, for the construction, operation and maintenance of their scheme.

NSW Health serves as the advisory body on requirements of water quality standards pertaining to public health. It also advises on the required content for water quality management plans in stormwater harvest schemes (ADD REFERENCE HERE)

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is responsible for the commercial aspect and regulates prices.

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) All proposals pertaining to stormwater harvesting are to be approved by Office of Water (OEH) under the Section 60 of the Local Government Act 1993 (ADD REFERENCE HERE).

Targets:

• Effective flood mitigation: Reliving the impact of flooding by using smaller pockets to retain and reuse the overflow water.
• Efficient energy systems: Decentralizing the water in a smaller site can enable the lesser use of energy for the treatment, pumping and transfer of water and reduce the overall energy spent.
• Productive landscapes: Creating landscapes that can entertain an active community even during drier seasons without compromising on the usage of the landscapes.
• Quality of public open space: Green open space with integrated water sensitive urban design thereby being a self-sustainable open space.
• Increase the quantity of water collected through water harvesting system and water reusage system
• Stormwater has a Quality based approach towards targets. These are minimal reduction objectives

Pollutant Average annual pollutant load reduction objective (%)

• Gross Pollutants 90
• Total Suspended Solids 85
• Total Phosphorus 60
• Total Nitrogen 45

(Water, n.d.,)

Detailed Strategies

• Identifying the location and establishment of a stormwater harvesting plant
• Installing smart meters to detect any possible leaks or defects in parks.
• To plant species of plant which are of low water demand type.
• Reducing stormwater pollution, minimizing local flood risk, and the thereby retrofitting the stormwater network. This can be done by the introduction of raingardens, wetlands, and gross pollutant traps. The present site has an existing gross pollutant trap.
• The water captured on site can thereby be re-used and connected to the urban scale water scheme as available. This would help in reducing dependency on potable water demands.

Identified Indicators

There are existing water quality issues for the Harbor that are due to gross pollutants, litter and sediments. Blackwattle Bay, as proved by studies, is one of the most polluted in the world. Therefore, an indicator would be the quality standards for Blackwattle Bay in terms of stormwater pollution. Since, the water collected can thereby be treated and integrated into the precinct level water scheme, the study of the statistics of use of potable water would be an insight into whether this is effective in reducing dependency on potable water needs.

References:

1. ABC News (2019). Nearly 10 million people are facing a water crisis. Here’s how it happened. [online] ABC News. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-22/chennais-telling-the-globe-a-story-about-water-scarcity/11229084 [Accessed 17 Sep. 2019].
2. NSW Government (2019). Sydney Metropolitan Water. [online] Planning.nsw.gov.au. Available at: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/About-Us/Sydney-Metropolitan-Water [Accessed 17 Sep. 2019].
3. IPART (2019). IPART – Water Industry Competition Act 2006. [online] Ipart.nsw.gov.au. Available at: https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/Home/About-IPART/Governing-Legislation/Water-Industry-Competition-Act-2006 [Accessed 17 Sep. 2019].
4. Water NSW (2019a). Water NSW Act 2014. [online] Waternsw.com.au. Available at: https://www.waternsw.com.au/about/legislation/water-nsw-act-2014 [Accessed 17 Sep. 2019].
5. Water NSW (2019b). Water NSW Regulation 2013. [online] Waternsw.com.au. Available at: https://www.waternsw.com.au/about/legislation/water-nsw-regulation-2013 [Accessed 17 Sep. 2019].
6. CITIES, C. F. W. S. 2015. Policy Framework for WSUD in five Australian cities.
7. RODRÍGUEZ-ROJAS, M., CUEVAS, M., FERNÁNDEZ, F., MARTÍNEZ, G. & MORENO, B. 2015. Indicators to evaluate water sensitive urban design in urban planning. WIT Transactions on the Built Environment, 168, 371-382.
8. SYDNEY, C. O. 2012. Decentralised Water Master plan 2012 – 2030.
9. WATER, S. 2013. Stormwater harvesting.
10. WATER, S. n.d.,. Stormwater quality targets [Online]. Available: https://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/water-the-environment/how-we-manage-sydney-s-water/stormwater-network/stormwater-quality-targets/index.htm [Accessed].