Page 6206 - Week 14 - Thursday, 9 December 2010
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• ToiletSmart, 210 ML;
• IrrigationSmart pilot, 10 ML;
• Rainwater Tank rebate, 148 ML;
• GardenSmart, 171 ML;
• Grey water hose give away, 185 ML; and
• Sport and Recreation Irrigation program, 328ML.
In addition, both the Canberra Integrated Urban Waterways (CIUW) program and Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) are targeted to achieve 3,000 ML and 690 ML/annum respectively of potable water substitution when fully operational.
The WELS program additionally estimates a potential saving of 410 ML/annum depending on the level of uptake.
Within Government, each agency reports on water usage under the Ecologically Sustainable Development section of their Annual report, including the percentage change from the previous year. At this stage this data is not collected or aggregated centrally.
(2) The ‘various options’ that DECCEW has pursued to ‘reduce reliance on rainfall’ are broadly in two categories:
• demand reduction; and
• source (potable water) substitution.
Most of the measures illustrated in the answer to question (1) are demand reduction. The CIUW and WSUD programs are examples of source substitution programs, replacing potable water with stormwater.
(3) DECCEW works continuously with other agencies such as TAMS, ACTPLA and LAPS investigating solutions and technologies related to water savings. Urban Stormwater Reuse, Integrated Urban Waterways, non-potable water demand modelling and high tech computer-linked sprinkler systems are projects that DECCEW has been a partner in over the last two years.
(4) Grey water recycling has been part of the suite of measures outlined in the 2004 Think water, act water strategy to address the sustainable management of the ACT’s water resources.
Through both the grey water hose give away (10,000 hoses from February to May 2008) initiated under the strategy and the publication of the “Grey water Use - Guidelines for residential properties in Canberra” this Government provided individual householders with the capacity to make an informed decision on the level and type of domestic grey water recycling that would suit their individual circumstances. The guidelines covered system design considerations, owner obligations, health and environmental implications and legislative requirements associated with grey water use.
However, the actual savings for households derived from the grey water hose give away and subsequent use have been difficult to quantify. The guidelines remain current, relevant and tailored to enable individual domestic decisions on grey water recycling.
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