Guide to Demand Management
Water Services Association of Australia
The Institute developed a framework and guide to aid members of the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) in assessing the water supply-demand balance in their area and determine how demand management can assist in filling the gap. The framework, which is based on the principles of Least Cost Planning/Integrated Resource Planning (LCP/IRP), was developed through a comprehensive review of Australian and international literature, a synthesis of expertise in this field and a review of case studies already implemented in Australia using these principles. The framework includes a structured approach to demand forecasting using sector and end-use based approaches, options assessment and implementation and evaluation of demand management programs. The outcome of the project is a step-by-step guide which complements other tools and training material developed for WSAA that will assist water service providers across Australia to use best practice approaches to urban water planning. The Guide is a successor to the 1998 WSAA publication "Wise water management: a demand management manual for water utilities" edited by Institute Director, Stuart White, and now out of print.

Turner, A., Willetts, J., Fane, S., Giurco, D., Kazaglis, A., & White, S. 2008 Guide to Demand Management, Water Services Association of Australia. Download/view PDF

Impact of urban water conservation strategies on end use water consumption in residential households
Australian Research Council
In 2006, Dr Rodney Stewart of Griffith University with the Institute Director, Prof. Stuart White, were awarded an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant, in collaboration with Wide Bay Water Corporation, Gold Coast Water and the Queensland Water Directorate. The aim of the project is to investigate the impact of urban water conservation strategies on end-use water consumption in residential households. The research will be undertaken in collaboration with the water utility partners and will use smart water meters and data loggers to gauge the degree of water savings attributable to savings programs.

Projects completed in 2007

Identification of industrial ecology opportunities in Melbourne
Funded by the Victorian Smart Water Fund, this project developed a new approach to identify industrial ecology opportunities in Melbourne. A structured methodology and tool was developed to map the potential of industry sectors and confirmed through stakeholder workshops. A case study of the most promising industrial ecology opportunities was undertaken to explore the costs, opportunities and barriers in more detail. This project was undertaken in collaboration with RMIT, Curtin and University SA as part of the ATN sustainability network.

High End Water Users Program Survey
Local Government Infrastructure Services
In March 2006 ISF was commissioned to assist the Qld Government to develop a web based survey/questionnaire to assist high residential water users in the South East Queensland region to save water. The questionnaire has been developed to help individual households think through how they use water and therefore how they might be able to save water during the current drought. It has been designed in such a way as to develop personalised action plans for each household which help individuals save water by changing both technology and the way they use water around the home, taking advantage of current water efficiency initiatives where available.

Estimation of savings for Smart Approved Watermark
Smart Approved Watermark
In mid 2007, ISF was engaged by Smart Approved Watermark (SAWM) to undertake research into the likely savings to be achieved by products certified under the SAWM certification. The SAWM is a certification process aimed at achieving profile for effective water efficient products. The focus of SAWM is on outdoor products, such as pool covers and soil moisture sensors. This certification complements the WELS scheme that applies nationally to efficient appliances for indoor water efficiency. ISF will undertake an investigation of the full range of products endorsed by the SAWM program and the potential for water savings that would be associated with installing each product, in an average household. The results of this research will feed into an online "pledge tool" which encourages consumer to agree to install water efficient products via education about the volume of water savings that can be achieved. The pledge tool will be accessible on-line after the national launch during Water Week in October 2007.

Integrated Resource Planning Framework and Guide
Water Services Association of Australia
The project has involved the development of a framework and associated guide to aid members of the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) in assessing the water supply-demand balance in their area and determining how demand management can assist in filling the gap. The framework which is based on the principles of Least Cost Planning/Integrated Resource Planning (LCP/IRP) has been developed through a comprehensive review of Australian and international literature, synthesis of expertise in this field and review of case studies already implemented in Australia using these principles. The framework includes a structured approach to demand forecasting using sector and end use based approaches, options assessment and implementation and evaluation of demand management programs. The outcome of the project is a step-by-step guide which compliments other tools and training material developed for WSAA that will assist water service providers across Australia to use best practice approaches to urban water planning. The Guide is a successor to the 1998 WSAA publication "Wise water management: a demand management manual for water utilities" edited by Institute Director, Stuart White, and now out of print.

Alice Springs Water Efficiency Stage 3 - Implementation Feasibility Study
Power & Water Authority
Stage 3 of the Alice Springs Water Efficiency Study builds on the significant demand forecasting and options work undertaken in 2003 (Stages 1 & 2). This stage of the Study completed in 2007 has essentially been a feasibility study into the implementation of a demand management program. The work included: review of the demand forecasts developed in 2003; assessment of previously designed (stage 2) water efficiency options; expansion of options including rainwater tanks, greywater systems and reuse; assessment of options including greenhouse gas costs and benefits; development of an implementation work plan; financial and avoided cost analysis and assessment of pricing.

White, S., Turner, A.J., Edgerton, N. 2007, Alice Springs Water Efficiency Study Stage 3: Implementation Feasiblity Study, [prepared for Northern Territory Government], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney. View/Download paper

Analysis of Long Term Savings in the Greater Geelong Supply Region
Barwon Region Water Authority
The Institute for Sustainable Futures worked with Barwon Water to undertake research into what future water demand projections may follow an extended period of drought restrictions that have been in place in Geelong and surrounds. In short, will consumption return to pre-drought levels or will the drought lead to more efficient practices and technologies being adopted and what will be their long term influence on demand? Projected rises in water prices in the region were also assessed for their likely effect on demand using price elasticity data.

Barwon Water End Use Model Training
Barwon Region Water Authority
ISF trained Barwon Water water planners in the use of the WSSA End Use Model to facilitate improve water planning.

Smart Water Fund: Innovative End Use Measurement
Smart Water Fund
A team from ISF and the CSIRO were engaged by the Victorian Smart Water Fund to investigate and develop innovative solutions for residential end-use measurement and metering. The team reviewed end use studies and technologies and identified current best practice for data capture and analysis. The project investigated opportunities to improve the accuracy of collected data, reduce the costs of hardware and minimise the time required at the customer's property for installation and calibration. Previous pilot and full-scale end-use metering studies have shown there is significant potential to enhance the value of the data collected from such research. Novel technological solutions were investigated with new technologies tested in a laboratory mini water house and in residential dwellings in Melbourne. Based on best practice end use measurement and a review of technologies, the team developed a Guidebook for Residential End Use Measurement which offers valuable support for future studies in the areas of study design, sampling and technology selection.

Sydney Water End Use Model Review
Sydney Water Corporation
In 2005, Sydney Water engaged ISF to review and recalibrate their end use model. The end use model uses assumptions about the stock of water-using appliances and equipment to estimate the amount of water used in various end uses in the residential, commercial, institutional and industrial sectors. The objective of the review was to improve the accuracy of the model, include new data identified since the model was developed and align the model with reporting structures. The review analysed factors contributing to trends in single and multi-residential dwelling demand, updated stock models and undertook investigations into non-residential demand to support the recalibration process. The project also developed a Research Plan to guide future development of the model. The project identified a need for additional primary research to achieve further improvements in the model structure.

Review of Water Supply-Demand Options for South East Queensland
Noosa Shire Council
This project was commissioned by the Mary River Council of Mayors representing a community of half a million people to the north of the South East Queensland (SEQ) Region. The project was conducted by the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) and Cardno in 2006/07 and aimed to provide an independent review of both the supply-demand balance and range of drought management and long term water supply strategies being proposed by the Qld Government. The work consisted primarily of a review of existing and proposed activities associated with the SEQ drought management and longer term water supply strategy and expansion of options considered where appropriate. The aim of the project being to ensure that a broad spectrum of options are considered that optimise economic, environmental and social outcomes for the SEQ communities both in the current drought and over the longer term. The review found the Traveston Crossing dam scheme is neither necessary nor desirable as part of the strategy to secure water for the region.Download executive summary of the report (320KB) Download full report (5.7 MB)

The ISF review was submitted to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport (RRAT) Committee Inquiry into Additional Water Supplies for South East Queensland. Institute Director Professor Stuart White was invited to give evidence at the Inquiry. The transcript is available at http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/commttee/S10140.pdf.
On the final day of Inquiry hearings, the Queensland Water Commission (QWC) tabled a critique of the ISF review of water options for South East Queensland. The critique was commissioned by the QWC and written by Marsden Jacob Associates and MWH Consulting Engineers. You can read the critique at http://www.qwc.qld.gov.au/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=86. ISF has written a detailed response to the QWC report which clarifies key concepts and methods brought into question in the QWC report and reinforces the key finding of the original ISF Review that Traveston Dam is not necessary to ensure water security for South East Queensland. Download ISF's response to the QWC report. Prior to the Senate Inquiry, ISF prepared a response to a criticism of the report in a media release issues by the Queensland Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure Ms Anna Bligh. Download the response (180KB). ISF's involvement in South East Queensland Water debates was also the subject of a presentation by Stuart White to a Public Meeting on behalf of the Mary River Council of Mayors at West End on 30 March 2007. Download PDF (964KB)

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by the Queensland Water Commission on the impacts of the Dam at Traveston Crossing was released for public comment in October 2007. A submission from the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) on this EIS was submitted to the Department of Instructure and Planing on 11 January 2008. This submission outlines significant flaws in the Traveston Crossing Dam EIS relating to the transparency and rigour of analysis and conclusions. Of particular concern is the failure of the EIS to address several cost effective practical alternatives to Traveston Crossing Dam, the failure to report basic assumptions behind assessment of water security needs and the absence of an adequate assessment of the greenhouse gas impacts of Traveston Crossing Dam in comparison to other alternatives. Download/view this submission. The Institute also contributed to a submission prepared for Hervey Bay Council by Natural Solutions Environmental Consultants which focused on impacts to the Fraser Coast Region. In particular, the water security implications and downstream socio-economic impacts. Download/view this submisison. These submissions were included in the over 10,000 submissions tabled in early January 2008. These submissions are being evaluated to determine whether the EIS is an adequate basis for decision making regarding the dam.

Barwon Water Strategy
Barwon Region Water Authority
This project developed a sector-based water demand forecasting model for Barwon Water using the Integrated Supply Demand Planning tool used by many utilities around Australia. Additionally an options model was developed to determine the costs and potential water savings from future options to meet supply-demand balance at the least cost society. A supply-demand balance decision making framework that utilises the internationally recognised best practice approach of integrated resource planning (IRP) was developed to assist Barwon Water in the short term to meet short and longer term planning needs as part of an adaptive management process. An addition to the project involved statistically analysing the water savings associated with mains water pressure reductions in the Grovedale region of Geelong.

Projects completed in 2006

Demand management in context
Sydney Water Corporation ISF researched the potential to maximise water use efficiency in Sydney (i.e. to maximise water conservation potential) and clarified appropriate measurement techniques to compare water use in cities and towns across Australia and internationally. The research was undertaken to assist Sydney Water Corporation in responding to a variety of policy developments and issues raised by various stakeholders concerned with water efficiency. Comparing the demand for water between cities and towns, for the purpose of determining the relative efficiency of water use requires an analysis of context. It is not sufficient to merely compare the per capita demand.

Rous Regional Demand Management Strategy Evaluation
Rous County Council (trading as Rous Water) engaged ISF to evaluate the water and energy savings and other aspects of four of the major programs that are part of the Rous Regional Demand Management Strategy: the Rous House Tune-Up Program, the Washing Machine Rebate Program, theWater Efficient Showerhead Program and the Demonstration Garden.

Water resource use efficiency study - Western Australia
Water and Rivers Commission
Third of three case studies of water resource use efficiency in Western Australia, conducted for the Water and Rivers Commission (WRC). The first two case study areas were the Jindong-Broadwater groundwater area, near Busselton and the groundwater area of the town of Exmouth. The objective of the study was to identify options for managing the water resources of the region, particularly in a sustainable manner, and in ways that allow the continuation and expansion of water dependent activities into the future. A range of strategies to alleviate current and future pressures on groundwater resources in the region were examined. These were based upon either improving the efficiency with which water resources are used in the township or the use of alternative water resources, such as reclaimed effluent and desalinated water. Strategies were compared economically to a proposed expansion of the borefield. Options were assessed in terms of effectiveness and least cost to the community. Modelling was carried out using demographic, water demand and supply data from Esperance and WA-wide end-use data.

Identification of suitable products for the Smart Approved WaterMark (SAWM)
Water Services Association of Australia
The Smart Approved WaterMark is an outdoor water conservation scheme which promotes water conserving products and services to consumers. This project researched the potential market for applicants to the scheme. It identified products and services that could potentially meet the criteria needed to qualify for the WaterMark label. The methodology involved desktop research and interviews to identify both the potential market for the scheme and also gaps in the types of products and groups of services already registered. It also identified individual products and categories of services (along with the number of organisations working within those categories) available in Australia. SAWM's objectives are to reduce per capita water consumption, recognise products and services that will help do that, and provide a simple label to allow consumers to make more informed choices about the water-saving credentials of the products they buy.

Costing for sustainable outcomes in urban water systems: A Guidebook
CRC for Water Quality & Treatment
New costing approaches are needed to deal with the changes inherent in sustainable urban water systems. Sustainable urban water systems encompass new technologies, new outputs and services, new scales of infrastructure, new management approaches, new risks, new business models, new regulatory arrangements, and new operating and institutional arrangements. Without costing processes that can take account of these changes, there is a risk of investing in inadequate solutions. Moreover, exploring least cost outcomes promotes both economic efficiency and resource efficiency. The guidebook brings together emerging theory and practice from economics, risk, and systems thinking to present nine core costing principles:
1. use appropriate cost perspectives
2. provide water service outcomes
3. think in terms of systems
4. include life cycle costs
5. assess on the basis of incremental costs
6. account for externalities
7. account for the time value of money
8. acknowledge and manage precision and uncertainty
9. report transparently

The guidebook explains what each principle is, why it is important, and what would happen if it were used. To maximise its effectiveness, most of the guidebook is a case study, designed to meet adult learning preferences, that shows how to apply the principles by stepping through four stages:
1. framing the study
2. characterising the study
3. identifying and specifying costs and avoided costs
4. analysing and reporting incremental costs

The project partners include CRC for Water Quality and Treatment, Qld Environmental Protection Agency, Hunter Water, Melbourne Water, South East Water, Sydney Water, and Yarra Valley Water.

Yarra Valley Water: 2005/06 preliminary Environmental Cost Statement
Yarra Valley Water Ltd
We prepared a preliminary environmental cost statement for Yarra Valley Water (YVW). We examined available costings for initiatives to achieve YVW's four aspirational goals, identified gaps in the data, and where possible estimated future costs. The project identified gaps in data and difficulty in attributing costs to achievement of targets. The environmental cost statement provides a preliminary snapshot of the cost of YVW achieving their definition of sustainability. The project helped to engage sections of YVW's business that would not normally be engaged with sustainability.

Mary River Workshop
Noosa Shire Council
The workshop involved case studies of IRP from around the country, and how it has been used to plan for water security and compare demand and supply options. Additionally, the use of whole of society costing and the levelised cost metric allows a fair and even comparison of supply and demand options, a point that is commonly overlooked in water resource planning. A key focus of the workshop was the controversial decision by the Queensland government to process with constructing the Mary River Dam at Traveston Crossing. This project, with an estimated cost of 1.7 billion and a yield of approximately 150 GL/a, was expected to be unable to service the current drought even though it had be released as part of the governments drought response strategy. The cause of concern was that it may be a high risk option that is in fact not needed. Locally, there is much opposition to the dam for social and environmental reasons.

NABERS Office Water Technical Advisory Group
Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (NSW)
NABERS (the National Australian Built Environment Rating System) is a performance-based rating system for existing buildings. NABERS is intended to assist building owners, managers, and occupants to measure, manage and reduce their building's operational impact on the environment. The NABERS Office suite includes energy and water, and will extend to indoor environment quality, solid waste, and other impacts. The NSW Department of Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability developed NABERS, and approached ISF's Cynthia Mitchell to be a member of the Office Water Technical Advisory Group. Cynthia's role was to review and provide expert critique of the information and analysis underpinning the development of the rating tool. Together with other Technical Advisory Group members, Cynthia was successful in arguing for water efficiency as the foundation principle for rating performance: that is, that the primary goal should always be to use less water, regardless of whether that water is sourced from the reticulated potable network, rainwater, or recycled water.

An emergency drought response for Sydney: Options analysis
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (NSW)
The project involved developing an analysis framework and assessing options (to reduce demand and/or increase supply) available for Sydney as an emergency response during an on going drought. The project involved the Institute working closely with DIPNR (now the Metropolitan water directorate), Sydney Water and the Sydney Catchment Authority. The Institute's role included developing demand side options as well as analysis of all supply and demand options. All options where tailored specifically to a short term emergency drought response for Sydney in the face of deceasing dam levels. A supply/demand model with a monthly basis was specifically developed for the project. With Sydney's drought deepening, the analysis framework focused on how potential options would impact projected dam draw down levels. Social, environmental and other risk criteria where also considered. The potential to delay the construction for emergency desalination works and level five water restrictions where key aspects address via the analysis.

Review of Sydney's Metropolitan Water Plan
The Cabinet Office New South Wales
In mid 2006, ISF was engaged by the NSW Premier's Department to undertake research and make recommendations for the future of Sydney's water supply. This was at a time of dwindling supply in the dams, little prospect of rain in the catchement areas and in the context of the announcement by former Premier Bob Carr that a desalination plant would be built at Kurnell. ISF together with ACIL Tasman undertook a Review of the Metropolitan water plan to research the supply-demand balance and develop future planning strategies for securing the future of Sydney's water supply for the next 25 years. An adaptive management approach for future planning was proposed using desalination and groundwater to secure supply only in extreme drought. This was adopted in the 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan released by the NSW Government.

White, S., Campbell, D., Giurco, D., Snelling, C., Kazaglis, A. & Fane, S.A. 2006, Review of the Metropolitan Water Plan: Final Report, [prepared for NSW Cabinet Office], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Australia, pp. 1-94. View/Download paper

The review prompted media debate on the best way to secure Sydney's water supply and the proposed desalination plant (see the News & Events section of our web site relating to our IRP projects for examples). A Sydney Morning Herald opinion piece by Mark Coultan on Friday, January 25, 2008 titled 'Iemma too stupid or too proud', clearly explains the issues involved. This article and a letter to the editor by Nathan Rees, Minister for Water Utilities on the following day in response to the article are available from http://newsstore.smh.com.au for $2.20 each.

Projects completed in 2005

NSW Water Pricing Guidelines and Country Town Communities
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
The Utility Consumers' Advocacy Program (UCAP) within the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) commissioned ISF to conduct research on the impact of NSW water pricing guidelines on country town communities. The objectives of the research were to:
* Examine the use of price as a major mechanism to achieve water conservation by rural residential water users, including equity implications and the impacts on the community more broadly
* Better understand the potential contribution of price and non-price measures to achieve appropriate water conservation
* Gauge attitudes and acceptance of price and non-price measures to achieve appropriate water conservation.
Of particular interest was the impact of the Best Practice Management guidelines, released by the NSW Government in 2004, on rural consumers.
The project involved a literature review on the impacts of rural water pricing and primary research with representatives from local government and welfare agencies in three rural communities. The report made a series of recommendations for improved water pricing practices and greater use of non-price measures to encourage water conservation.

Riedy, C.J. & Partridge, E.Y. 2005, NSW Water Pricing Guidelines and Country Town Communities, [prepared for The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney. View/Download paper

Evaluation of costs and water savings from the Every Drop Counts Business program
Sydney Water Corporation
ISF has undertaken an evaluation of Sydney Water Corporation Every Drop Counts Business program, which has been implemented with nearly 300 customers on approximately 1500 sites. The program offers a formalised water savings process for business customers who have a commitment to saving water at their site. The program aims to achieve on average a 15% reduction in water demand, which will assist in achieving the overall demand management target for Sydney (a 35% reduction in per capita demand by 2011 based on 1991 levels) .There were several elements to this study including a quantitative analysis of the metered data to measure the savings that were achieved from the program and a series of interviews with EC customer representatives and program staff providing the program on behalf of SWC. Involving a range of stakeholders in this evaluation process has allowed the analysis to be broadened , ultimately enabling program improvement recommendations to cover a wide range of issues analysis on costs and savings achieved has allowed the unit costs of the program (from multiple cost perspectives) to be obtained. The results of the evaluation will assist SWC to both improve the program in the future and determine how to best collate information in the future to facilitate ongoing evaluation.

Training Package - End use & demand management training materials & workshops
Water Services Association of Australia
At the end of 2003 WSAA released the WSAA End Use Model/Options Model (EUM/OM) software package. The package aims to assist water service providers to forecast water demand more accurately using end use analysis (EUA) and develop and assess water service options (water efficiency, source substitution, reuse and supply) using the best practice economic analysis method embedded in the Least Cost Planning/Integrated Resource Plannning (LCP/IRP) approach. ISF have been instrumental in the development of the EUM/OM released by WSAA and the development of the LCP/IRP approach in Australia and internationally. In 2005 ISF developed the WSAA Training Package to compliment the WSAA software package released in 2003 and assist water service providers across the country to understand the overarching principles of LCP/IRP and aid them in developing their own region specifiic EUM/OM using the WSAA software.

Water Re-Use Analysis for the Fish River
Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (NSW)
In June 2005, the Institute's Director, Professor Stuart White, was invited by the NSW Minister for Energy, Utilities and Sustainability, Frank Sartor to join an independent expert panel with engineering, environmental and economic expertise to provide advice to on the relative merits of several different water re-use schemes proposed for the Fish River Valley. The research undertaken by the expert panel included consideration of the costs and benefits of the different reuse schemes, and also considered the merits of alternative proposals for mine de-watering. The advice was provided to the Minister in a report which outlined the relative costs and benefits of several alternative schemes.

Sustainable Water Management: Emerging Principles and Implications for Nelson's Ridge
Delfin Lend Lease Limited
Delfin Lend Lease (DLL) are a leading land developer. The Precinct Plan for DLL's Nelson's Ridge development has a strong commitment to ecologically sustainable development. DLL approached ISF's Cynthia Mitchell to review the existing Stormwater Management Plan, and provide expert advice on emerging concepts in total water cycle management in urban development and link these concepts to opportunities at Nelson's Ridge and other new releases. The three principles that best characterise the emerging era are reduce water demand; match source with use; and minimise impacts. Careful attention to these principles holds the possibility of tunnelling through the increases in cost and environmental imposts associated with early attempts at total water cycle management. The report explains how the principles apply in practice. In particular, the report outlines the revolution that is underway in our understanding of the drivers of urban stormwater impacts. A concomitant revolution in our stormwater management approaches is required, moving away from pollutant reduction, one-size-fits-all approach to a focus on context driven responses, based on retaining all small-moderate storms on site. The report notes the opportunities and implications for Nelson's Ridge in particular.

Integrated Water Quality Planning
Sydney Catchment Authority
This project was a research collaborative between the Institute for Sustainable Futures and the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA). The project has developed a framework and methodology for evaluating catchment remediation actions in terms of their certainty and cost effectiveness. The framework and method draw on the principles and techniques of integrated resource planning and least cost planning, in particular the use of marginal abatement curves to direct investment schedules. These principles and techniques have been to the question of water quality protection in catchments. As a pilot, the project developed a least cost planning model for one of SCAs sub-catchment to try to identify cost-effective strategies to improve water quality. The out puts from the project included a literature review, draft framework and simplified model illustrating least cost planning in relation to water quality in a catchment. A more general application of this approach to catchment management would however require a significant improvements in the data quality available on the effectiveness of catchment remediation actions.

Development of a research framework for a study into water efficiency in buildings
Department of Environment and Heritage
An historic inter-governmental agreement to enshrine sustainability as a core objective in the Building Code of Australia was imminent in late 2005, and provided the impetus for two major studies into water and materials use in buildings. The Federal Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) recognised that new research frameworks were necessary to guide the work, and approached ISF's Cynthia Mitchell to provide expert advice for water use in buildings. We proposed a systematic structure to address issues associated with existing overlaps, gaps, inconsistencies, and conflation of concepts. The proposed structure was ordered according to water efficiency options (technologies, behaviours, water qualities, and alternative supply scales), implementation instruments (regulatory, economic incentives, and communicative/socio/cultural development) and assessments (institutional arrangements, economic, environmental, and social). Further, we noted three key issues that are central to the progression of new ways of delivering water services to buildings, and are not well understood or researched currently. These are all aspects of the issue of scale of servicing: the scale of infrastructure; methods which allow fair assessment and comparison of different scales, and therefore defensible determination of which scale is most appropriate; and the nature of institutions and the institutional arrangements for different scales of water service provision and use in buildings.

Consultancy for a review of water efficiency programs in Western Australia: Towards a strategy for best practice
Water Corporation
This report provides the findings of a review of the water efficiency programs being undertaken by the Water Corporation of Western Australia (WA). It has been undertaken to determine what might be improved to assist the Water Corporation to meet corporate and WA Government objectives, and to determine what other strategies might contribute to meeting those objectives. In addition the review has considered what would be required to implement best practice water efficiency programs, and to test the possibility that Perth could become one of Australia's most water efficient cities by tapping into greater water conservation potential. The review has considered the large range of programs that the Water Corporation has in place to save water, including the WA Government funded Waterwise Rebate Program providing rebates on residential water efficient equipment. It has also investigated: the regulatory environment in which the Water Corporation operates; the framework for economic assessment of water efficiency programs; the monitoring and evaluation of programs; and the internal support for development of water efficiency strategies. A model has been developed to estimate and summarise the relative unit costs and savings of the existing programs, and to estimate the potential for new extension programs to generate greater savings. These programs have then been compared with a range of reuse and supply augmentation options being considered by the Water Corporation.

Development of a user friendly long run marginal cost of water estimation model for Sydney
Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal
The Institute was commissioned by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to develop a computer model that would estimate the long run marginal cost (LRMC) of water supply for Sydney. The model was designed to allow trained users to explore the implications of various planning options including water conservation and supply augmentation. The models intent was to provide LRMC estimates which could then inform water pricing for Sydney. The model extended a previously developed water demand and supply options and scenario model for Sydney. This previous model was designed for in house analysts only. As well as adding the LRMC functionality, a user interface was developed to allow distribution across water agencies. The model allowed users to test various water demand and supply options and scenarios. The model also provided for allocation of capacity and costs to different water agencies and retained its total resource cost, societal cost and total utility cost calculation functions. A training seminar and manual on the model was provided to IPART and water agency staff.

Raintank Model for BASIX
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (NSW)
The NSW BASIX tool (Building Sustainability Index) is used as a regulatory measure to increase the efficiency of water and energy use of new buildings. Part of this on-line performance based tool, is a rain tank model, used to estimate the reduction in demand through the installation and use of rain tanks. This research was designed to come up with a synthetic one year (365 day) data set that could represent the behaviour of a rain tank as closely as possible to that of a 100 year record.

Alice Springs Water Efficiency Study (ASWES) Stage 2.5
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment (NT)
ISF assisted the NT government in 2003 by researching a suite of water efficiency options that could potentially be taken forward for implementation as part of a water efficiency program. At the beginning of 2005 ISF extended this work by assisting in the development of a Cabinet Submission to determine and recommend next steps for the water efficiency program. This assistance led to ISF conducting 'ASWES Stage III - Feasibility into the Implementation of a Water Efficiency Program' in 2005/06 which has broaden the options developed, considered pricing issues and drafted an action plan for next steps.

Projects completed in 2004

Meeting the challenges- Securing Sydney's water future
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (NSW)
The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) commissioned the Institute to evaluate both demand and supply-side options to meet Sydney's growing water demand as well as various scenarios that would balance demand and supply over the period to 2029. This research contributed to the 25-year water demand and supply plan, entitled "Meeting the challenges - Securing Sydney's water future" developed by the New South Wales (NSW) Government. The Plan outlines a $1.4 billion strategy to ensure Sydney's water future through optimising water supplies from the existing system, as well as ensuring that Government, industry and households reduce their water use to sustainable levels.

Australian Water Industry Roadmap
GHD Pty Ltd
The Institute was invited to provide input to the draft Discussion Paper that identifies the key issues confronting the water industry, together with demonstrated best practice solutions to the issues. This is part of the Australian Water Industry Roadmapping Project, an initiative of the Barton Group to establish an industry vision, and to prepare an action plan with strategies to address technological, institutional, supply and social challenges, with clearly identified tasks, time frames, and recommended responsibilities.

Kogarah: total water cycle management framework
Kogarah Municipal Council
This project was a pilot for a new way of thinking about, investing in, and managing water. The project was informed from the perspective of Total Water Cycle Management (TWCM), which considers water management from rain-drop through to tap, integrating an understanding of all the processes in between. The key to the approach is that it has the potential to meet multiple objectives held by different key stakeholders, with an implied environmental, social and economic cost sharing benefit for all. Kogarah Council in partnership with Sydney Water Corporation are developing a water reclamation project which was identified in the Total Water Cycle Management project. The process of water reclamation, will see sewage pumped to a small treatment station at Beverley Park so that safe irrigation water can be piped or trucked to various parks in the Kogarah LGA.

Biofilms in Wetlands
Australian Research Council
Constructed wetlands embody the principles of sustainable development and have significant potential advantages over conventional wastewater treatment processes. Current design and operational strategies are largely empirical. Wetlands performance is ultimately determined by water movement and biological activity. Our previous research in wetlands focused on their hydraulic performance. In this grant, we focus on biological activity. To date, we have developed several novel means of characteriszing biofilm activity which will enable better design and operation, and more accurate performance prediction. This is a joint project with the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Sydney.

Sydney Catchment Authority indicators review
Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal
As part of the Sydney Catchment Authority's (SCA's) Operating Licence review, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of New South Wales (IPART) engaged the Institute to review the SCA's environmental and ecologically sustainable development (ESD) indicators. The Institute's review provided recommendations on a suite of indicators for incorporation in the new Operating Licence which took effect from1 January 2005 as well as an indicator evaluation framework. The Institute's review was based on literature about best practice in other jurisdictions, industry standards for environmental and ESD indicators, the findings of the three independent audits of Sydney's drinking water catchments and public reports released by the SCA as well as stakeholder submissions to IPART.

Projects completed in 2003

ACT Water Strategy: Preliminary demand management and least cost planning assessment
ACTEW Corporation Ltd commissioned the Institute to examine the demand management and source substitution options available to achieve the ACT's per capita water use targets. The Institute's report also examines the whole-of-society costs of the different options and compares these options with other reuse and supply options being evaluated by ACTEW.

Turner, A.J. & White, S. 2003, ACT Water Strategy: Preliminary Demand Management and Least Cost Planning Assessment, [prepared for ACTEW Corporation Ltd], Institute for Sustainable Futures, Sydney. Download/view

Assessment of the Use of Rainwater Tanks to Supplement Rous Water's Supply
Rous Water
The Institute for Sustainable Futures was commissioned by Rous Water to analyse and evaluate the potential for large scale adoption of rain tanks to act as a reliable water supply source supplementing the supply storages from the Rocky Creek and Emigrant Creek dams that service the Rous region. This study builds on a previous study of rain tanks that was undertaken as part of the Rous Demand Management Strategy (White, 1997), which investigated the potential for rain tanks as a supplementary supply source and also as a sole supply for new buildings and included an economic evaluation of large scale rainwater tank installation from a whole of society, water utility and customer perspective as well as investigation into public health and regulatory issues.

Projects completed in 2002

Burnett Region Least Cost Planning Study
Environmental Protection Agency (QLD)
The Burnett region of Queensland is mostly agricultural and the water demand for the region is estimated to increase, prompting the State Government to look at available options to meeting this demand. The proposal aims at developing a plan to meet the future water supply needs of the region using a least cost framework.

End Use and Water Consumption Influences Study
Yarra Valley Water Ltd engaged ISF to undertake a study into how water is used within the community and the factors influencing water consumption. Stage 1 is to provide a summary of current knowledge of end uses of water within Melbourne and the major influences on end uses of water. The findings will be used by retail water companies for use in conjunction with the Water Resources Strategy for the Melbourne area.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Water Efficiency Program Evaluation
Water Corporation
The evaluation of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Water Efficiency Program undertook a quantitative evaluation of savings and qualititative evaluation of the longer term program effects. The program had both indoor and outdoor water efficiency components, both of which were evaluated. ISF has carried out a number of evaluations of indoor water efficiency programs. However, this was the first ever quantitative evaluation of an outdoor water efficiency program undertaken in Australia. It has provided ISF with an understanding of problems faced by the outdoor water efficiency program, and therefore better understanding of how such programs can be carried out in the future. The evaluation has also highlighted the need for Water Corporation to monitor the water use of the non-residential sector, showing how use in this sector has masked savings achieved in the residential sector.

Projects completed in 2001

North Shore City Council water use modelling
Monash University
Modelling water use through the technical aspects of applicance ownership, usage rates and flow rates and the issue of relationships between water use, income and household characteristics.

Perth's Private Groundwater Demand to 2020
Aquaterra International Ltd
ISF was engaged by the Water and Rivers Commission to determine Perth's Private Groundwater Demand to 2020. The project was a joint venture with Aquaterra Consulting. The report concluded that groundwater abstraction rates would become unsustainable by 2020 and that water demand management strategies in conjunction with alternative water supplies were needed to prevent environmental degradation and severe water restrictions, which would have significant social implications and impose constraints on economic development. ISF modelled private bore growth and provided a cost-benefit analysis on alternative domestic water sources.

Sustainable Urban Water Futures
SE Water engaged ISF to develop a preliminary and scoping work to provide a decision support framework. The framework outlines and provides an overview of issues that need to be investigated when developing a sustainable water management system for a new urban development (a green field development). The templates and guidelines developed as part of the decision support framework will be used when undertaking detailed analysis and investigation for any specific green field development.

Sydney Catchment Authority ESD Indicators
The Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) engaged the ISF to compile a list of draft Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) indicators relevant to the SCA's activities. The implementation of ESD indicators is a condition of the SCA's Operating Licence.

Projects completed in 2000

Environmental Design Guide update - Building Design Professions
Royal Australian Institute of Architects
Sustainable urban water use produces direct tangible benefits for the water utility, the consumer and the environment. This paper is part of a special issue of the BDP Environment Design Guide illustrating the application of various design and technological improvements in and outside the building that improve the water cycle in urban and regional areas. The Special Issue seeks to consolidate that knowledge by examining the regulatory context and present advances in thinking with respect to the use and reuse of water on the world's driest inhabited continent.

Gold Coast Least Cost Scoping Study
Gold Coast Water (GCW) commissioned The Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) to complete a scoping study taking a least cost planning approach to how GCW could better target its demand management initiatives and to outline the steps needed to develop a full Least Cost Planning (LCP) study. As such, this scoping study firstly provides a set of detailed recommendations for how the GCW should build on its current demand management program. Secondly, we make recommendations about the logical next steps that could be taken to complete an in depth LCP study that would combine supply and demand planning and help GCW meet the regions water needs into the future. Least Cost Planning is not only a method that helps define suitable and effective demand management programs, but is an integrated resource planning method for planning and managing both supply and demand.

North Coast Rivers: NSW Healthy River Commission Inquiry
Healthy Rivers Commission
A series of convergent interviews combined with a literature review and modelling of potential savings and costs helped the NSW Healthy Rivers Commission argue the benefits of increasing the integration of water service provision in their Inquiry into North Coast Rivers. Twenty-nine LGAs are within the Inquiry Area and the ISF report found that escalating demand for water services is typically being managed in a fragmented manner with a supply-side focus. The centralised infrastructure which has resulted is not delivering the most benefits to river health or the environment in terms of nutrients, greenhouse gases or costs to the community. ISF described the benefits which would result from Integrated Water Resource Planning across the region. The results would be reduction in demand for water by maximising efficiency of water use, increased integration of water cycle management and servicing of new developments in a more innovative manner. Financial and environmental benefits were estimated for a number of approaches including minimum performance standards and development controls. Discussion included ideas about establishing a more sustainable funding framework which provides economic incentives for integrated water cycle management and the need to properly resource the implementation of these changes as well as to evaluate steps taken progressively. The report has been published at NSW HRC Occassional Paper 1007.

North Richmond Least Cost Planning Study
Sydney Water Corporation
This report presents a least cost planning study for the North Richmond water delivery system (WDS). The prevalent issue in this system is the capacity of the water filtration plant to meet the demand for water on maximum demand days. The objective of this study is to determine the least cost means of meeting future maximum demands in the system. Specifically, the objectives of the analysis have been to determine the costs and benefits for reducing the demand for water relative to the costs of water infrastructure and increased supply

On site storage of water- market analysis
Sydney Water Corporation
Market analysis of on-site storages (mainly rainwater tanks) in Sydney Water's area of operations. Aim: to enable SWC to understand the current and future market potential of residential on-site storage devices and factors affecting this market profile. Includes a review of different products, materials, uses, costs, benefits, geographical spread and customer perceptions of rainwater storages in urban area.

Review of water related aspects of the building sustainability index
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (NSW)
ISF was commissioned by DIPNR to undertake a review of the water related aspects of BASIX (Building Sustainability Index). BASIX is an initiative of the NSW Government, a web based evaluation tool for new housing developments, designed to assess, in the first instance, the water and energy efficiency of detached dwellings and assist individuals and developers to determine how to achieve the new regulatory requirements of a 40% reduction in water demand relative to the average single residential dwelling in 2000 and a 25% reduction in energy use relative to the same benchmark. The tool was on exhibition for public comment during May 2004, and the ISF review process was undertaken under significant time restraints in parallel to the exhibition process. The review undertaken was to maximise the opportunity to improve the accuracy and functionality of the BASIX tool, based on ISF's significant research experience in water efficiency, before the tool was released in July 2004.

Kogarah Town Square: sustainable water consultancy
Kogarah Municipal Council
This report is to present results of preliminary end-use demand modelling for the design phase of the Kogarah Town Square development. Some preliminary information on the water balance for the site is also provided although more detailed modelling can be undertaken when further details on the pervious-impervious surface area of the site and stormwater treatment capacity become available. The sustainable water system implemented in the Kogarah Town Square development will include rainwater and stormwater harvesting and reuse, in conjunction with water efficiency designed to minimise use of scheme water. ISF's contribution to this project takes the form of detailed end use modelling for alternative residential and non-residential demand scenarios. Scenarios modelled here include three levels of efficiency and five alternative supply configurations. Daily rainfall modelling provides some preliminary information on the proportion of total demand that can potentially be met by rainwater and scheme water supplies.

Projects completed in 1999

Byron Shire Council water efficiency program
Byron Shire Council
This scoping study was undertaken as the first phase of an investigation of the potential for water efficiency measures to provide benefits to Byron Shire Council and the community in terms of economic, environmental and social outcomes. The project involved modelling the potential reduction in the annual demand for water that would result from various levels of investment in water efficiency measures, for example, retrofitting residential houses with water efficient appliances. The findings of the study concluded that it would be more environmentally, economically and socially sound for Byron Shire Council to invest in water efficiency measures than to upgrade the two sewage treatment plants (STPs) that were serving the township.