australia; water forever: options for our water future
DESCRIPTION
Australia; Water Forever: Options for Our Water FutureTRANSCRIPT
water forever
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTUREAPRIL 2008
CONTENTS
01 INTRODUCTION
02 WATER FUTURES
03 CONSERVE
04 CONNECT
05 CREATE
06 TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION
07 INFORMATION SHEETS
1OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
03
10
21
35
47
63
68
There are a number of ways you can have your say on our
50 year plan.
1. Visit www.watercorporation.com.au/waterforever to
register and fi ll out the online feedback form.
WAYS TO HAVE YOUR SAY
ON WATER FOREVER
Water Forever is the Water Corporation’s 50 year plan to
deliver water services to Perth and surrounding areas.
2. Write to us at:
Water Forever
Water Corporation
Locked Bag 2
Osborne Park Delivery Centre
WA 6916.
Public submissions close on 30 June 2008.
2
VOLUMES OF WATER
One litre 1 litre 1 litre
One thousand litres 1,000 litres 1 kilolitre
One million litres 1,000,000 litres 1 megalitre
One thousand million litres 1,000,000,000 litres 1 gigalitre
INTRODUCTION
Enhancing the security and reliability of our water supplies
is important to all of us.
Effective management of water helps to provide essential
water services to the community while preserving the
environment and our cultural and spiritual values. Western
Australia is growing rapidly and is expected to continue
to do so in the foreseeable future. Planning for our water
needs supports the development of healthy communities.
The State Government has given water and the
management of water resources strategic priority. This will
continue given climate change and variability, resource
scarcity and continued increases in demand.
Water Forever is happening at a time of signifi cant investment
in water resource management in Western Australia.
This section provides context for this project by outlining
other strategic water plans in the study area and the role of
the Department of Water as the resource manager. It also
outlines the project scope, study area, previous planning
work undertaken and the framework for sustainable
decisions to support our water future.
STATE WATER PLAN
In May 2007, the Western Australian Government released
the State Water Plan 2007. It summarised the State’s existing
knowledge of water resources, water demands and use, and
the experience of climate change. The plan outlined water
policy and planning frameworks to integrate reforms at state
and national levels.
The plan also outlined 100 priority actions to implement
these changes. One of these is for the Water Corporation to
engage with the community on water source options for the
Integrated Water Supply Scheme.
Water Forever is this initiative.
The Department of Water is coordinating the implementation
of the State Water Plan 2007. They are also responsible for
developing two strategic water resource plans occurring in
the Perth area. These are the Perth - Peel Regional Water
Plan and the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy.
WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER
The Water Corporation works together with the Department
of Water, Department for Planning and Infrastructure and
other agencies to plan for water services for our customers.
The Department of Water coordinates the water-planning
framework outlined in the State Water Plan 2007.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN WATER PLANNING FRAMEWORK
The Department of Water also develops water resources
and water industry policy in Western Australia. National
frameworks including the National Water Initiative inform
outcomes in these areas. The Department of Water is
responsible for:
• water resource investigation and assessment;
• water accounting;
• licensing water use;
• wetlands and waterways;
• drainage planning;
• fl oodplain management;
• water industry policy, including pricing policy; and
• water legislation.
The Water Corporation is one water user, licensed by the
Department of Water. There are roughly 14,200 licensed
water users in Western Australia, from sectors including
mining, agriculture, Local Government, industry and
service organisations. Over 90% of these licenses are for
groundwater use, and the remainder for surface water use.
The Department of Water also manages unlicensed water
use, such as small farm water supplies and garden bores.
Water Forever will primarily focus on the needs of our
customers – residents, businesses and organisations
connected to our schemes. Where possible, we will consider
how we can enhance the environment and provide services
to other water users where there is a need.
At the same time, the Department of Water is working on
an overarching regional water plan, the Perth - Peel Regional
Water Plan. This plan will review water resource planning in
the region and provide guidance on strategic water issues,
policy options and management priorities in the region. One
of the issues under consideration in this plan is allocating
water for public water supply.
4
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
Other issues that have been identifi ed for the Perth - Peel
Regional Water Plan include climate change, water demand
and availability, water use effi ciency and recycling, urban
corridor development and protecting waterways and wetlands.
As the Perth - Peel Regional Water Plan progresses, Water
Forever will be updated by research and investigations
conducted on key issues and the emerging priorities. A draft
is expected to be released for public comment later this year.
WORKING WITH THE GNANGARA SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY
The Gnangara Groundwater System is a series of
groundwater resources and wetlands that extends from the
north banks of the Swan River to Moore River, north of Perth.
The Gnangara Groundwater System underpins the water grid
and has provided up to 60% of total scheme water supply to
Perth, the Goldfi elds and surrounding communities.
Parts of this system are under pressure due to the combined
impacts of a drying climate, land use changes and water
abstraction. On average, over the past few years, the Water
Corporation has drawn about 150 gigalitres a year from the
Gnangara Groundwater System for the water grid. This is
about 40% of the estimated total water abstracted from the
Gnangara Groundwater System by all users (licensed and
unlicensed).
In 2007, the State Government initiated the Gnangara
Sustainability Strategy to review land and water use in the
Gnangara area. This initiative is being led by the Department
of Water. Participating agencies include the Department for
Planning and Infrastructure, Department of Agriculture and
Food, Department of Environment and Conservation and the
Water Corporation.
The Water Corporation supports the development of this
strategy to provide a sustainable water resource management
approach for the Gnangara Groundwater System. Decisions
made as a result of the strategy will impact the role that this
resource plays in public water supply for the Integrated Water
Supply Scheme (IWSS) water grid.
The Gnangara Sustainability Strategy is examining a wide
range of options to integrate land and water planning
in this area. The strategy is expected to be fi nalised for
consideration by Government in mid-2009.
STRATEGIC LAND PLANNING
Over the past 50 years four strategic plans have been
developed by Western Australian land planning agencies to
guide land development in the Perth region:
• Stephenson and Hepburn’s plan in 1955;
• The Corridor Plan in 1970;
• Metroplan in 1990; and
• Network City in 2004.
The fi rst three plans supported development of a rapidly
expanding city.
Network City builds on this objective and considers land
development impacts due to growth, climate change,
loss of biodiversity and the need to conserve energy and
water. It is a strategic planning document jointly released
by the Western Australian Planning Commission and the
Department for Planning and Infrastructure, as a result of
extensive research, planning and community engagement.
It provides strategic direction for land planning in the
metropolitan area based on a range of sound principles:
• bringing people together around activity centres;
• connecting people and places with networks;
• building a sense of place and belonging in
communities; and
• protecting the natural environment to sustain the city.
The Network City vision for Perth and Peel is:
“That by 2030, Perth people will have created a world-class
sustainable city, vibrant, more compact and accessible, with
a unique sense of place.”
There are three principles to guide decision-making:
• enhance effi ciency of urban land use and infrastructure;
• protect the environment and improve resource effi ciency
and energy use; and
• enhance community vitality and cohesiveness.
The approach encourages a more compact city by making
better use of existing land in developed suburbs. This
reduces urban sprawl and can have very positive impacts on
water use effi ciency as well as infrastructure effi ciency. Water
Forever seeks to align with the principles of Network City.
We are monitoring the extent to which these land planning
principles are being achieved. They directly impact the
timing, location and extent of further investment in water,
wastewater and drainage infrastructure.
5
WATER FOREVER
Water Forever is developing a long-term plan for Perth
integrating water, wastewater and drainage services with
land planning. We’re thinking 50 years ahead and the plan
will outline actions to support water service delivery in three
horizons:
• 10 years to 2020;
• 20 years 2030; and
• 50 years to 2060.
Water Forever will create a framework for the delivery of
conservation initiatives and infrastructure to support our
water future. The plan will need to be comprehensive and
fl exible to adapt to our changing environment.
LINKS WITH PREVIOUS STUDIES
The effects of a drying climate and prolonged drought across
Australia are creating a realisation that rainfall dependent
sources of water may not provide enough water, or enough
certainty, to meet the needs of growing cities. There is a
need to balance reliable water sources with a responsible
level of demand.
Refl ecting different climate scenarios and choosing between
a number of options requires an effective and dynamic
means of evaluating a portfolio of water use effi ciency and
water supply options. This includes comparing the risks and
costs to the community with different options.
Over the past fi fteen years, the Water Corporation has
completed several strategic infrastructure-planning
documents that have formed the basis for ongoing
investment in new programs and infrastructure:
• Perth’s Water Future: A water supply strategy for Perth
and Mandurah, 1995;
• Wastewater 2040, Strategy for the Perth Region, 1995;
and the
• Integrated Water Supply Scheme, Source Development
Plan, 2005.
The Source Development Plan adopted an integrated
resource planning approach as recommended in the State
Water Strategy released in 2003. Integrated resource
planning ensures that options to reduce demand on
water supplies (such as water use effi ciency initiatives) are
compared on an equal basis with options that increase
supply (such as new water sources).
This framework has been developed by urban water utilities
across Australia to evaluate a range of options.
Water Forever will be examining a range of water source
and water use effi ciency initiatives that could help to meet
demand over the next 50 years. Information sheets have been
developed for a range of water source and water use effi ciency
options that address sustainability considerations, cost and
potential yield (the amount of water available for use).
The direction provided in the above mentioned planning
reports have helped us to keep pace with development.
We have been able to meet your water service needs by
implementing a range of water use effi ciency and customer
service initiatives, coupled with detailed asset planning and
development of existing or new water sources.
It is now time to review these plans and move forward once
again.
PROJECT SCOPE
The study area covers three quarters of all our customers in
Western Australia.
In Western Australia regional areas have very different
climates, communities, economic needs, water resources
and ecosystems. Where there is a need for a separate water
service plan for a particular region, this will be addressed in
a study designed to meet the needs of that region and its
community. For example, the Water Corporation is currently
examining options for the Pilbara.
Water Forever will cover the area currently supplied by the
IWSS water grid, which includes the area supplied by the
Goldfi elds and Agricultural water pipeline. The wastewater
planning area is the current metropolitan area, from Lancelin
in the north to Mandurah in the south. The project will
consider opportunities for more water recycling in these
areas. Drainage catchments in the Perth and Peel areas are
also in this scope.
These planning areas will consider nearby communities that
could be connected to the IWSS water grid or wastewater
schemes in the future.
6
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 7
STUDY AREA
8
TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE WATER FUTURE
The Water Corporation understands the need to deliver
sustainable outcomes when planning for water, wastewater
and drainage services. It is our responsibility to provide our
customers with a safe and reliable water supply, drainage
and wastewater services. We aim to provide water solutions
that deliver a ‘quality of life’ for customers and surrounding
communities, which is environmentally responsible and
affordable for current and future generations.
For many years we have considered issues in light of
environmental, social and economic impacts. Our purpose is:
“The sustainable management of water services to make
Western Australia a great place to live and invest.”
In defi ning ‘sustainability’, the Water Corporation has
adopted the defi nition outlined in the Western Australian
State Sustainability Strategy, ‘Hope for the Future (2003)’:
SOCIAL
ECONOMIC
E
NV
IRO
NM
EN
TAL
SIGNIFICANTLY ACHIEVED
SustainableManagement
of WaterServices
Enhance the resilience of the
natural and humanenvironment Enhance
communitycapacity
Enhancethe economicvalue to ourcustomers,
suppliers & thecommunity while
deliveringshareholder returns
Protect the healthand safety of all& support the
wellbeing of ouremployees &
customers
PREVENT
SUSTAIN
ENHANCE
Preserve ourcapacity to providewater services to
meet present and future needsPrevent harm
to theenvironment
Respectthe value
of all
Find efficienciesthat reduce internal and external costs
Conserve thevalue of theenvironment
PART
IALL
Y A
CHIE
VED
“Sustainability is meeting the needs of the current and
future generations through integration of environmental
protection, social advancement and economic prosperity.”
The Water Corporation has developed a Sustainability
Strategy to build awareness and understanding, encourage
sustainability thinking in the organisation and embed
sustainability principles into decision-making processes.
Business principles have been designed to guide planning
and operations by identifying issues, generating options
for development, engaging with stakeholders, evaluating
options and making decisions.
Practical outcomes achieved so far include creating the
Security through Diversity approach to meet water needs
in a drying climate. We have also used these principles to
develop a Greenhouse Strategy.
Water Forever is adopting these business principles for
sustainability to guide the development of the project,
community engagement and decision-making.
IMPLEMENTATION
When complete, Water Forever will detail actions to
implement the plan, including linkages with land planning.
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 9
THE WATER FOREVER ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
Do you want to be involved in making decisions about
water and wastewater services for Perth?
Get Involved Throughout the project
What are the major issues that need to be addressed in
relation to water and wastewater services for Perth?
Have your say March - June 2008
Here is a summary of your input into planning to date. What you said July - August 2008
Here is a draft plan, that indicates where we’re heading.
Do you agree with the direction we’re proposing to take?
What we plan to do Late 2008 - March 2009
Here is our fi nal plan and how we will implement the
strategy, developed with your input.
How we will do it Mid 2009
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
In recent times, there has been a high level of public
awareness and debate surrounding proposals to develop
new water sources. In addition, the community is helping to
secure our water future by learning to use water wisely and
adapting to a drier climate.
Water Forever will continue to shape our water future, with
input from the community. The focus is on listening to the
needs of the community and stakeholders, encouraging
involvement, sharing information on options for our future
and understanding different viewpoints.
Anyone can “Get involved.” You can register your interest at
any time during the 5 stages of the project.
We are currently in the “Have your say” stage. We welcome
your input to issues raised in this Options Paper. There are
lots of different ways you can become involved.
With your help, we can ensure water for all, forever.
WATER FUTURES
Creating a water future for the study area for the next 50
years requires us to develop a shared understanding of
the planning context, water availability and projections
for population growth and water demand. This work is
underpinned by robust science and consideration of the
potential impacts of a diverse range of trends and possible
future scenarios.
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
This section provides information on trends and planning
assumptions that provide a framework for Water Forever.
WATER FOR LIFE
In December 2003 the United Nations (UN) proclaimed the
years 2005 to 2015 as the ‘International Decade for Action:
Water for Life.’
The UN noted that:
“Water is crucial for sustainable development including the
preservation of our natural environment and the alleviation
of poverty and hunger. Water is indispensable for human
health and well-being.”
Water is an essential part of the environment and
water services are essential for economic development.
Water services are needed by all businesses and other
organisations, like schools and hospitals. Recreational
spaces such as ovals and parks also need water and provide
important urban amenity.
Importantly, water has cultural heritage and spiritual value to
both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Western Australians.
Although the drought in some parts of the country means
that water restrictions have been imposed on water use for
gardens and other non-essential water using activities, most
people living in Australian cities have access to reliable and
high quality drinking water for their daily needs.
Similarly, cities in Australia are well serviced by sewerage
systems that remove and treat wastewater from homes
and businesses. Wastewater treatment makes a signifi cant
contribution to public health.
Flood management and drainage standards have helped
to manage fl ooding, curtailed the spread of disease and
enabled urban development.
The Water Corporation recognises the importance of
reliable and safe water, wastewater and drainage services to
meet the needs of customers and to protect public health.
The Water Corporation and other government policies
and guidelines refl ect the importance we place on water
quality. These policies and guidelines are consistent with the
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
The Water Corporation has an operating licence, issued by
the Economic Regulation Authority that requires certain
standards to be met when delivering drinking water,
wastewater and drainage services. The Water Corporation
has a Customer Charter, which forms a part of this licence.
Water Forever will continue to ensure that water is available
to meet the essential water needs of the community, and in
doing so, protect public health.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY
Climate change and global warming are terms used to
describe the climatic changes that result from the enhanced
greenhouse effect. This effect is the excessive trapping
of heat in the Earth’s atmosphere caused by increased
greenhouse gas emissions associated with burning fossil
fuels, agriculture and land clearing.
The impact of climate change will vary in different regions
but may include:
• higher average air temperatures;
• changed rainfall patterns; and
• rising sea levels.
Climate variability recognises that many of these trends
will fl uctuate from year to year, for example there may be
some wet years and some very dry years. Learning to adapt
to these extremes is part of the challenge facing the Water
Corporation and the Western Australian community.
Global research
The International Panel on Climate Change has produced
numerous reports detailing the latest scientifi c, technical and
socio-economic research conducted to better understand
the risk of human-induced climate change, its observed and
projected impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.
The latest report concludes that it is very likely that over the
past 50 years cold days, cold nights and frosts have become
less frequent over most land areas. Hot days and hot nights
have become more frequent. The report also found that it is
likely that in most land areas heat waves and heavy rainfall
periods have become more frequent.
With reference to water resources, the report concludes that
there is high confi dence that by the mid-21st century annual
river runoff and water availability will decrease in some dry
regions, including many regions in Australia.
11
2010
2007
2004
2001
1998
1995
1992
1989
1986
1983
1980
1977
1974
1971
1968
1965
1962
1959
1956
1953
1950
1947
1944
1941
1938
1935
1932
1929
1926
1923
1920
1917
1914
1911
Total Annual* Inflow
(GL) to Perth D
ams**
Annual Total 1911–1979 average (378 GL)
* a year is taken as May to April ** 2004/05 inflow to 31 Jan 2005
1980–1999 average (232 GL)
38% Less
70% Less
2001–2007 average (105 GL)
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
YEARLY INFLOW TO PERTH DAMS INCLUDING SOUTHERN SOURCES
In 2007, the government of the United Kingdom
commissioned a report on the economics of climate change.
The report outlined a range of economic impacts that may
result from climate change including:
• extreme weather could reduce global gross domestic
product (GDP) by up to 1%;
• a two to three degrees Celsius rise in temperatures could
reduce global economic output by 3%;
• if temperatures rise by fi ve degrees Celsius, up to 10%
of global output could be lost (the poorest countries
would lose more than 10% of their output); and
• in the worst case scenario, global consumption (per
head) would fall by 20%.
Australian research and response
Rainfall decline around Australia has occurred in areas of
high population and higher economic activity (including
Perth and the study area), which poses signifi cant challenges
to meet growing demand for water in a timely fashion.
The CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology recently released
a report, Climate Change in Australia, which provides
essential tools for government, industry and the community
to understand the likely magnitude of climate change in
Australia and the possible impacts.
This report concludes that the 15% decrease in rainfall
in South Western Australia over the past 30 years is likely
to be at least partly due to human induced increases in
greenhouse gases. The future projection for Perth is for
further decline in winter and spring rainfalls that are vital
for streamfl ows to public water supply dams as well as our
natural environment.
South West of Western Australia
Reduced rainfall in the South West of Western Australia has
resulted in fl ows to public water supply dams decreasing by
70% since the mid - 1970s.
12
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
The most severe projections by CSIRO are for average annual
rainfalls to decline in the South West by 20% by 2030 and
60% by 2070, from the standard period used to forecast
streamfl ows. This is based on a high emissions scenario.
However, it is worth noting that CSIRO climate change
modelling suggests that some rainfall activity will be more
intense and this may increase fl ood risk.
Research conducted by the Indian Ocean Climate Initiative
(IOCI) has found that in the South West:
• average temperatures have increased by 0.8 degrees
Celsius since 1910 with most change occurring over the
past 50 years;
• average Indian Ocean surface temperatures have
increased by 0.6 degrees Celsius;
• over the past 35 years, the number of storms have
decreased, bringing less rain; and
• over this same period, annual rainfalls have decreased
by up to 10% and winter rainfalls have decreased by up
to 15%.
The Department of Water is currently using the IOCI data to
determine sub-regional climate scenarios for the Perth-Peel
Regional Water Plan.
Security through Diversity
Until the 1970s, Perth relied mainly on surface water sources
- dams built in the hills. Over the past 30 years, signifi cant
groundwater resources have been developed. Groundwater
represents up to 60% of all water currently sourced for the
IWSS water grid.
Reduced infl ows into our dams have resulted in lower
surface water availability. Climate change has also decreased
recharge to groundwater in some areas.
In 2004, the Water Corporation developed the Security
through Diversity strategy to diversify from these traditional
water sources. Most recent innovations include more rainfall
independent sources such as desalination, water recycling and
water use effi ciency. Innovations have been made in catchment
management and water trading.
Water Forever will look at how these and other sources can
continue to play a role in our water future.
WATER
Water availability
The State Water Plan 2007 noted that there is about 1,937
gigalitres of water available in the Perth groundwater basin
and 1,610 gigalitres of surface water in the South West. Of
this only about 30% is still available for development - the
balance is either reserved for the environment or already
allocated for use. Many of these resources are a long way
from Perth and many are also relatively small and not
suitable for development for public water supply.
The Department of Water is updating these regional
assessments of surface and groundwater availability as part of
the Perth-Peel Regional Water Plan. This will involve estimates
of available average annual surface water and groundwater
resources forecast to 2030. As part of this work they are
considering the impact of reduced rainfall projections.
In addition, the Department of Water is currently fi nalising
a study that provides more information about the potential
volume of drainage water that may be available for recycling
across the Swan Coastal Plain. Other work being undertaken
includes the preparation of maps that will provide more
information about the availability of water for garden bores.
The Water Corporation will incorporate the fi ndings of these
studies, as they become available.
Water Forever will be developed in the context of
understanding the availability of all water resources,
including the need to retain water in the environment and
share water resources with other sectors.
13
Nature of water use
Agriculture is the largest water-using sector on a global
scale, consuming almost two - thirds of water drawn
from rivers, lakes and groundwater. Whilst this is the case,
irrigation has improved the productivity of agriculture.
Since 1960, world water use for crop irrigation has risen by
over 60% and current use is predicted to double by 2050 as
agriculture becomes an energy supplier for biofuels and feed
stocks.
These global trends were consistent with the ‘Australian
Water Resources Assessment (2005)’ that indicated that
agriculture uses 65% of all water in Australia. The next two
largest water-using sectors were households (11.2%) and
public water supply (11.1%). Water for public water supply
includes water used for fi refi ghting, wastewater treatment
plant operations and water lost through leakage.
In metropolitan areas however, there is less water supplied
to agriculture and mining and more water used by industry,
households and in the service sector (hospitals, schools,
government agencies).
The Department of Water forecasts 645 gigalitres of total
water use by all sectors in 2008. The Water Corporation will
access about 40% of this for public water supply.
The IWSS water grid supplies water to people in Perth
(85%), Goldfi elds and Agricultural region (10%) and
Mandurah and towns in the South West (5%). Most water is
used by households.
Water used outdoors and in laundries and toilets does not
have to be of drinking water quality. Water Forever will
explore the best fi t for purpose options (where water is
treated to a standard suitable for its end use) and ways to
achieve greater water savings.
Business and industry use approximately 21% of all public
water supply. About 5% of metropolitan businesses use
70% of all business water demand.
The Water Corporation targets high water using businesses
(those that use more than 20,000 kilolitres a year) through
its Waterwise Business Program. These businesses generally
include heavy industry, brewers, laundries, offi ce buildings,
major hotels, food manufacturers, universities, shopping
centres and hospitals. To date 209 businesses have
participated in the program.
Water Forever will identify further opportunities to increase
water recycling and water use effi ciency in business and
industry.
Sourcing water for use
The amount of water available for the IWSS water grid
is known as the water yield. The yield of existing water
supplies is somewhat uncertain due to:
• reduced infl ows to dams;
• the potential requirement to increase fl ows from surface
and groundwater resources to the environment; and
• increasing and competing land uses within
water supply catchments rendering them unsuitable for
use or requiring higher levels of treatment.
Streamfl ows over the last 30 years averaged 163 gigalitres
a year. In this period, there were some wet years early
on. Over the past six years, when rainfall was the lowest
on record, streamfl ows into our dams were only half this
amount.
Groundwater availability is also being reduced because of
declining rainfall.
2008 FORECAST PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY USE IN THE STUDY AREA (GIGALITRES)
Residential (bathroom) - 36 Residential (outdoors) - 94
Residential (laundry) - 28
Business - 60
Residential (kitchen) - 18
Residential (toilets) - 24Firefighting, leakage, wastewater treatment - 25
14
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
The existing IWSS water yield is estimated to average 315
gigalitres a year to 2020, based on the low rainfall period
from April 2001 to May 2007.
This fi gure includes water from both the Perth and Southern
Seawater Desalination Plants and also includes the water
available from trading with the Harvey Water irrigation
cooperative. This water yield is based upon a probability of a
total outside sprinkler ban occurring once in fi fty years.
Based on work undertaken by CSIRO and IOCI, climate
change is expected to result in reduced rainfall in the Perth-
Mandurah area. This will adversely impact yields from both
surface water and groundwater sources.
In particular, surface water yields (including water from
trading with irrigation) will be most severely impacted. By
2060, the most extreme projection is for a 60% decrease in
rainfall, which would virtually eliminate water from dams as
a reliable water source in most years, due to evaporation.
CSIRO projected (under a median emissions scenario), that
by 2030 rainfall could decrease by 20% from 1980 to
1999 averages. Given that we have already experienced a
12% reduction in rainfall since this time, a further 8% loss
in rainfall is estimated to reduce streamfl ows by a further
20 gigalitres by 2030. This may also further reduce water
availability from groundwater resources.
This scenario projects a further 20% reduction in rainfall by
2060, resulting in greater loss of surface and groundwater
supply.
Climate science is evolving and these projections are based
on probabilities. However, it is important to understand the
potential impact of reductions in rainfall on public water
supply during this period of rapid change.
Decisions to accelerate water conservation initiatives or
invest in new supply capacity will be made incrementally.
There is an opportunity for us to progressively adapt as our
knowledge of climate and experience of rainfall unfolds.
Planning supports sustainable decisions by making the
impact of different scenarios transparent. Engaging with the
community allows us to evaluate a range of responses to
these possible futures.
The Department of Water determines the amount of water
required to sustain the ecological, social and economic
values of water resources. Retaining water for these reasons
is important, but can reduce the amount of water available
for other uses, such as public water supply.
Environmental water provisions are currently being reviewed
for a number of surface and groundwater sources in
the metropolitan area. No allowance has been made in
the above fi gures for reduced surface water availability
as a result of regulatory requirements for increased
environmental water provision.
POSSIBLE WATER YIELDS FOR THE IWSS WATER GRID TO 2060
Possible IWSS water yield,
without further investment
Desalination
sources
Surface water
sources
Groundwater
sources
IWSS system yield
Gigalitres a year
Actual water yield 2007 18 101 157 276
Possible water yield by
2020
95 100 120 315
Possible water yield by
2030
95 80 110 285
Possible water yield by
2060
95 20 100 215
15
Population forecasts
In 1950, the population of Perth was around 400,000 and has
grown at an average of 22,500 people each year since then.
By 2007, approximately 1.6 million people (76% of Western
Australia’s population of 2.1 million people) were living
in the Perth-Mandurah area. The population is currently
growing by approximately 27,000 people each year.
The Western Australian Planning Commission forecasts
population growth for the state. The most recent population
forecasts were updated in November 2005 with the release
of ‘Western Australia Tomorrow - Population Projections for
Planning Regions 2004 – 2031 and Local Government Areas
2004 - 2021.’ This report included population projections
through to 2031.
In summary, these forecasts suggest that the annual increase
in population has peaked at about 27,000 a year and will
now slow to 23,000 new people each year between 2021
and 2031. The Water Corporation is basing water demand
projections on these forecasts through to 2030.
Water Forever has assumed population growth of 20,000 a
year from 2031 – 2060, in keeping with forecast trends for a
decline in the rate of growth after this time.
Water Forever is planning for a forecast population of 2.8
million people by 2060. If this growth is achieved sooner
than expected, water infrastructure delivery, which includes
the development of new water sources and the expansion
of wastewater treatment systems, can be brought forward.
Similarly, delivery can be pushed back if there is a signifi cant
reduction in growth rates.
Water demand forecasts
A number of external factors infl uence water demand
including:
• population size and growth;
• average household size;
• rainfall patterns;
• incidence of very hot days;
• business activity; and
• the availability of alternative water sources such as
garden bores and rainwater tanks.
Water Forever is basing water demand on the major factor
of population growth.
Residential demand is calculated by assuming that customers
manage to reduce Perth household water use to 100
kilolitres of water a year, a target set in the State Water Plan
2007. This is a decrease in current household water use,
which has averaged 107 kilolitres a year over the past 6
years. Of this water, about half is used outside the home.
Other demands include water supplied by the IWSS water
grid for use by business, industry, services such as hospitals
and schools, fi re fi ghting and water losses through leakage.
This demand has averaged 47 kilolitres a year over the
past 6 years. Combined with household water use, water
consumption per person averages 153 kilolitres a year.
These demand assumptions refl ect recent use and highlight
the signifi cant gains made in water use effi ciency over the
past 10 years. This represents a reduction in overall water
demand of approximately 17% since the peak demand of
185 kilolitres a year in 2000/01.
FORECAST POPULATION GROWTH IN THE PERTH-MANDURAH REGION 2007-2060
Forecast population growth 2007 2020 2030 2060
Population 1,600,000 1,950,000 2,200,000 2,800,000
Average annual growth
(number of people)
27,000 26,000 23,000 20,000
Average annual growth
(%)
1.8% 1.4% 1.1% 0.7%
16
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
FORECAST WATER DEMAND 2007 - 2060
Forecast
water demand
2007 2020 2030 2060
Gigalitres a year
Perth - Mandurah
population forecast
1,600,000 1,950,000 2,200,000 2,800,000
Perth demand 235 265 294 370
Mandurah demand 13 23 30 48
Goldfi elds and Agricultural
demand
28 32 36 52
Total estimated water
demand
276 320 360 470
17
AVERAGE WATER DEMAND FOR RESIDENTIAL AND OTHER USES
Perth water demand
(kilolitres per person a year)
Average use
(1995 - 2001)
Average use
(2002 - 2007)
Average use
(forecast)
Residential (Household) 120 107 100
Other 56 46 45
Total water demand 176 153 145
These forecasts demonstrate a commitment to meet the
target to reduce residential water use to 100 kilolitres a
person for people in Perth, as outlined in the State Water
Plan 2007. This saving will require continued and additional
investment in water use effi ciency initiatives.
They do not include additional water supply to meet Perth
and Mandurah industrial demand, which is predominantly met
through self-supply groundwater, water recycling and trading.
Note that these demand forecasts could be signifi cantly
impacted by the factors outlined above. Further analysis
will be conducted to investigate the sensitivity of these
projections to impacts of household size, hot days, urban
density and other considerations.
WASTEWATER
Wastewater fl ows from Perth and Mandurah
In 2007 the Water Corporation treated 120 gigalitres
(328 megalitres a day) of wastewater in metropolitan
wastewater treatment plants. This means that about 44%
of all water supplied to customers from the IWSS water
grid is fed back into the Water Corporation’s wastewater
systems. Hence, the amount of wastewater that enters the
system is dependent on the amount of water consumed by
households, business and industry.
Wastewater comes from:
• homes (65%); and
• business and service industries (35%).
Businesses are a mix of commercial premises such as shops
and offi ces, as well as industrial premises. Commercial
premises produce smaller amounts of wastewater, similar
in nature to residential wastewater. Industrial wastewater is
closely monitored by the Water Corporation to ensure toxic
compounds do not enter the wastewater system.
Future wastewater fl ows
Based on the forecasts for population growth and water
demand, annual wastewater fl ows for Perth and Mandurah
are forecast to be:
• by 2020,155 gigalitres (426 megalitres a day);
• by 2030, 179 gigalitres (490 megalitres a day); and
• by 2060, 237 gigalitres (650 megalitres a day).
These projections refl ect an increase in the proportion of
residential and commercial areas sewered due to new land
development almost exclusively occuring in sewered areas.
These forecasts are dependent on a number of factors
including:
• in home and commercial water demand;
• number of properties connected to the Water
Corporation’s wastewater system;
• the reduction in fl ows due to in home and business
water use effi ciency; and
• the location and density of population increases.
2060
2050
2040
2030
2020
2010
2000
1990
1980
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
FORECAST WASTEWATER FLOWS (MEGALITRES PER DAY)
Projected FlowsHistorical Flows
18
FUTURE RECYCLING OPPORTUNITIES FROM MAJOR WASTEWATER TREATMENTS PLANTS IN THE PERTH-MANDURAH REGION
Wastewater
Treatment Plants
Recycling in
2008
Possible
recycling by
2020
Possible
recycling by
2030
Possible
recycling by
2060
Nature of recycling
Gigalitres a year
Alkimos 0 4 6 13 Horticulture (seasonal)
Industry
Beenyup 0.8 25 40 50 Groundwater
replenishment
Subiaco 0.7 2 3 20 Public open space
Groundwater
replenishment - 2030
Woodman Point 4.3 10 20 60 Industry
Groundwater
replenishment - 2030
East Rockingham 1.2 2 2 10 Industry
Groundwater
replenishment - 2030
Mandurah
(combined)
0.3 1 2 5 Industry
Public open space
Forecast recycling 7.3 44 73 158
Total fl ows 120 155 179 237
Recycling % 6% 28% 41% 67%
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
Western Australian Planning Commission forecasts provide
the basis for the population projections used. In addition,
they provide information on the expected distribution and
density of people in the greater Perth and Mandurah areas.
These population forecasts have infl uenced Water Corporation
decisions to increase capacity at existing wastewater treatment
plants and invest in new treatment plants.
Need to increase wastewater system capacity
The total amount of wastewater than can be treated by
the current system is 123 gigalitres a year. Currently, total
wastewater fl ows in the Perth - Mandurah region are 120
gigalitres a year. This means that the existing wastewater
treatment system is nearing capacity.
By 2060, fl ows are estimated to be in the order of 237
gigalitres a year. This is nearly double the current fl ows.
The existing wastewater treatment system will need to
be substantially upgraded and new systems built to cater
for the increased fl ows. Options for future expansions are
discussed in the Create section.
19
Wastewater recycling forecasts
Currently, the Water Corporation is recycling about 12.5% of all
treated wastewater statewide. In Perth, about 6.1% is recycled.
Through continued investment in water recycling, we have
the capacity to double this amount by 2012, demonstrating
substantial progress towards the 20% target set in the
State Water Strategy in 2003. The State Water Plan 2007
established a long-term target to recycle more than 30% of
all treated wastewater.
It is possible that the volumes of wastewater recycled could
increase even further, particularly if a large scale scheme
such as groundwater replenishment is adopted as a water
source option.
DRAINAGE
Increasingly, drainage water is being used locally in urban
developments by applying the principles of water sensitive
urban design. The Department of Water is responsible
for planning for the major drainage systems in Western
Australia and the preparation of Drainage and Water
Management Plans (DWMP).
The State Water Plan 2007 identifi ed a number of districts
that require a DWMP due to proposed land development.
The Water Corporation has drainage infrastructure in a
number of these catchments.
It is not anticipated that the Water Corporation’s drainage
network will expand. New drainage works are expected to
be the responsibility of Local Government; in keeping with
the approach for drainage water to be retained for local use
or environmental fl ows where possible.
To fi nd out more about the areas covered by DWMPs and
how drainage works, refer to the Connect section.
20
CONSERVE
Supplying water to meet the needs of communities is
inextricably linked to the water cycle. The Water Corporation
works to conserve the natural environment and minimise
the impact of infrastructure delivery required to provide
essential services.
We recognise the cultural values associated with water, in
particular the importance of water to Indigenous communities.
However there are challenges. The South West of the state, a
global biodiversity hot-spot, will be impacted by climate change.
Above all, we know that the drying climate means it is
imperative for us to use all water wisely. We need to use
less, recycle more and use water that is fi t for purpose.
This section provides more information on our programs to
conserve water, the environment, energy, biodiversity and
cultural heritage.
WATER USE EFFICIENCY
The Water Corporation works closely with customers to reduce
demand for drinking water supplied from the IWSS water
grid. When we reduce demand for this water, we reduce the
amount of wastewater produced by households and businesses
requiring treatment, recycling and discharge. We also reduce
the amount of energy used to supply and treat water and
wastewater, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Our approach to water use effi ciency targets a number of
areas, including:
• improving the effi ciency of water supply infrastructure by
reducing water pressure and leaks;
• supporting the introduction of legislative changes to
building codes and water use effi ciency labelling on
water-using products;
• replacing the use of drinking water for non-drinking
purposes (such as garden watering) with alternative
sources of water;
• encouraging research and development into water
effi cient technologies;
• supporting the Waterwise Rebate Program to replace
ineffi cient water using appliances with more effi cient
products;
• administering the introduction of permanent Water
Effi ciency Measures;
• development of Waterwise Programs which include
training and accreditation in water use effi ciency
best practice for garden centres, irrigators, plumbers and
developers; and
• community education including the use of advertising
and behavioural change initiatives such as social
marketing and comparative billing.
Over the past 20 years the Water Corporation has actively
pursued the development and implementation of Waterwise
Programs to reduce water demand in households and
businesses. These programs are recognised nationally and are
now being adopted by a number of other states in Australia.
We are committed to continuing to expand, enhance and
maintain community partnerships to educate and provide
tools to improve water knowledge and water use effi ciency
through Waterwise Programs.
Increasing water use effi ciency is important to ensure water
for all, forever.
PERMANENT WATER EFFICIENCY MEASURES
Water restrictions have been used to manage demand from
the IWSS water grid in times of severe shortage caused by
drought or, more recently, our drying climate. They target
non-essential uses of water (such as water for gardens) to
conserve drinking water supplies for essential uses.
In other States, the most recent drought has resulted in the
imposition of water restrictions of varying levels, ranging
from sprinkler bans to no watering of lawns and very limited
water use on gardens.
The Water Corporation sees such extreme water restrictions
as undesirable. Severe water restrictions, such as banning
outdoor sprinkler use, adversely impact the community both
in terms of dependent industries (horticulture, recreation) and
homeowners through the loss of gardens and green space.
Since 2001 we have introduced measures that save
water and maintain gardens by working closely with the
community and associated industries. One example is
the two day a week sprinkler roster in Perth which saves
approximately 45 gigalitres of water a year. This is enough to
supply 188,000 households and helps to avoid over 30,000
tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.
In October 2007, this sprinkler roster system, together with
other Water Effi ciency Measures, became permanent for
the Southern part of Western Australia. Our customers
overwhelmingly support the introduction of this sprinkler
rostering system as a permanent part of how we use water
sensibly in Western Australia.
Other water saving measures suited to hotter average
temperatures in the Northern half of the State have also
been introduced.
Permanent water effi ciency measures make a substantial
contribution to conserving water and our natural environment.
22
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
WATER IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
The Water Corporation’s services are a major part of the
water cycle, which is intrinsically linked to environmental
health. In taking water from the environment and returning
drainage and treated wastewater we aim to sustain the
environment, now and in the future. We protect ecological
processes in a number of ways, including:
• monitoring the environments we take water from to
ensure water dependent ecosystems are not signifi cantly
affected;
• reducing the amount we take from the environment
through water effi ciency initiatives;
• recycling water and wastewater;
• minimising our infrastructure footprint;
• reducing discharges where appropriate;
• providing water for the environment; and
• reducing energy use.
The environment is a key issue we consider when planning for
new water sources and wastewater and drainage services. Of
particular importance are the environmentally sensitive areas
protected under the Environmental Protection (Environmentally
Sensitive Areas) Notice 2005. They include important wetlands
and ecological communities, natural and world heritage sites,
rare fl ora and fauna, and Bush Forever sites.
As part of the Perth-Peel Regional Water Plan, the
Department of Water is reviewing environmental water
requirements across the region and will develop a program
to identify priority requirements where they have not
yet been completed. The Perth-Peel Regional Water Plan
will consider environmental water provisions for water
dependent ecosystems. These provisions take into account
the amount of water required to sustain ecological, social,
economic and other values associated with water resources.
Water Forever will refl ect the need to retain water in the
environment for these reasons.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT
We are strengthening our ability to manage impacts through
the development of an Environmental Management System,
which will have national accreditation. The Environmental
Management System supports commitments made in our
Environmental Policy which include:
• to sustain Western Australia’s water resources;
• to comply with environmental regulations;
• to prevent pollution; and
• to continually improve the way we do things, including
conserving natural resources and ecological processes.
The System provides a robust framework for identifying
and managing environmental risks associated with water
source development, wastewater discharges and recycling,
construction and operations. This includes developing,
implementing, monitoring and reviewing environmental
objectives and actions.
WATER IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Water in our homes
Most of the water used in residential and commercial
buildings in the study area is of drinking water quality
supplied through the IWSS water grid. This water is moved
from various sources (including dams, groundwater,
and desalination) to homes and businesses. There is an
opportunity to make greater use of the rain that falls on
these buildings to supply water for non-drinking uses.
Most homes in Perth direct the water that drains off their
roof into soak wells to replenish groundwater. About
150,000 homes access this source through garden bores to
water their gardens. The sustainable use of garden bores is
a good fi t for purpose use of water collected at source. The
permanent Water Effi ciency Measures will help to ensure
that these groundwater resources are used responsibly and
not unnecessarily depleted.
Some homeowners have installed rainwater tanks to collect
water from the roof for various uses including garden
watering, car washing, toilet fl ushing and clothes washing.
Other homeowners are using greywater from bathrooms
and laundries for garden irrigation.
23
The State Government supports the use of alternative water
supplies, such as rainwater tanks and greywater systems
through the introduction of changes to building codes
known as Five Star Plus. In the second stage of this program,
proposed for introduction later in 2008, new residential
and commercial buildings will require separate plumbing
to be installed that will allow for ease of connection to an
alternative water supply for non-drinking water uses like
toilet fl ushing.
Water in our businesses
Waterwise Businesses are also making changes towards
better water use effi ciency.
The fi rst fi ve Green Star Green Building Council of Australia
offi ce in Western Australia is being built at 140 William
Street, Perth. The sustainable design features in the
building focus on energy, water use effi ciency and waste
management. The building is expected to be completed by
the end of 2009.
By the end of October 2007, 37 commercial buildings across
Australia had been Green Star certifi ed with a further 380
registered for certifi cation. One of these buildings is the
Council House 2 in Melbourne, which has been awarded six
Green Stars and won a United Nations Award, demonstrating
outstanding leadership in sustainable building design.
There is further scope for new commercial building design in
Perth to adopt the principles of the Green Star rating system.
Water for public open space
Many of our parks and ovals are watered using groundwater
(from bores), which has been recharged through rainfall.
This is also a good example of water being collected and
used at is origin, meaning fewer resources are consumed to
treat and supply the water.
Some new land developments feature artifi cial lakes
or wetlands in public open space areas, which collect
stormwater and fi lter it before it recharges groundwater.
This is a principle of water sensitive urban design, to
integrate urban planning with the management, protection
and conservation of the urban water cycle.
There are a number of requirements under the National
Water Initiative with respect to water sensitive urban design,
water sensitive urban developments and integrated urban
water management. State and Local Government initiatives
are progressing work in this area, with the assistance of the
Water Corporation.
The State Government encourages alternative water
supplies for public open space in new developments. There
are opportunities to use shallow groundwater for non-
drinking water uses, inject recycled water into groundwater
to increase water levels, and increase the use of rainwater
tanks, garden bores, sewer mining and greywater recycling.
The fi rst trial of an alternative water supply scheme
commenced at Brighton in Perth’s Northern suburbs.
A community bore scheme supplies groundwater to
households for gardens and public open space. This
scheme is estimated to save 71 kilolitres of water a year per
household from the IWSS water grid.
Another similar non-drinking water scheme under
development is the Wungong Urban Water Project, which
has Commonwealth funding and is projected to save about
2 gigalitres of scheme water a year.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Energy use
Energy use in water and wastewater management is linked
to climate change at a global scale. A number of National
and Western Australian initiatives are being undertaken to
help to manage energy across the community, as part of
global efforts to reduce the forecasts for global warming:
• the National Framework for Energy Effi ciency has been
developed with the aim of achieving a major
enhancement of energy effi ciency performance, reducing
energy demand and lowering greenhouse gas emissions;
• the Commonwealth ‘Energy Effi ciency Opportunities
Act 2006’ has been enacted to mandate the assessment,
monitoring and reporting on energy use and energy
effi ciency actions; and
• a mandatory Energy Effi ciency Program has been
developed in Western Australia to work with industry to
develop a mandatory energy effi ciency scheme applicable
to large and medium sized power consumers. The Water
Corporation is working collaboratively on this initiative.
In 2006/07 the Water Corporation used 1.6 million
gigajoules of energy in the following areas:
• 90% from electricity;
• 8% for transport; and
• 2% for heating using natural gas and biogas.
24
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 25
LOCATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS AS DEFINED UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 1986
The Water Corporation’s energy consumption is directly
related to three major factors:
• number of customers;
• level of water or wastewater treatment required - the
higher the quality of water and wastewater required, the
more energy used to treat it; and
• the distance over which water and wastewater is
transported.
Almost 70% of all energy use is attributed to water services
with a further 20% due to wastewater services. Support
activities such as energy use in buildings and transport
account for the balance.
New rainfall independent sources tend to use more energy
as they often require higher levels of treatment. The energy
needed to treat 1 kilolitre of drinking water varies by source:
• 0.4 to 0.6kWh for water treatment of surface and
groundwater sources;
• 0.8 to 1.0kWh for recycled water; and
• 3 to 5kWh for reverse osmosis desalination of seawater.
Relationship to household energy use
In Perth, the average household used 276 kilolitres of
water in 2006/07. This required 370kWh of electricity for
treatment and about the same amount to transport the
water. The same home used an average of 6,500kWh of
electricity in the same year.
Therefore, the energy associated with water use in a home
represents approximately 6% of the total household energy
use (not including transport). When you include the energy
associated with transporting water and wastewater around
the system, the total increases to 12%.
The greater uptake of on site water supply and wastewater
recycling systems such as rainwater tanks and greywater
systems may reduce the average energy use associated with
water consumption in households. This issue requires further
research and needs to take into account energy consumed
to manufacture on site water storage systems (such as
rainwater tanks) and the transportation of these to homes.
Reducing energy use
The Water Corporation has registered to take part in
the Federal Government Energy Effi ciency Opportunities
Program. This program aims to improve the identifi cation
and evaluation of energy effi ciency opportunities for large
energy consuming businesses.
Participating businesses identify, evaluate and report publicly
on cost effective energy savings opportunities. As part of
the program the Water Corporation is undertaking energy
assessments of approximately 60 sites by June 2011.
Greenhouse strategy
In 2006/07 the Water Corporation accounted for more than
419,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions.
AMOUNT OF ENERGY USED IN A YEAR TO DELIVER WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES
Assets Gigajoules a year Percentage
Water sources 455,390 28.3%
Water treatment 180,821 11.3%
Water conveyance 478,539 29.8%
Wastewater conveyance 92,766 5.8%
Wastewater treatment 236,690 14.7%
Buildings and depots 33,143 2.1%
Transport 129,434 8.0%
TOTAL 1,606,783 100%
26
Drainage & Irrigation - 0.1
Buildings & Depots - 9.0 Transport - 13.1
Wastewater Pumping Stations - 22.0
Wastewater TreatmentPlants - 87.3
Water Pumping Stations - 138.9
Bores - 78.8Water Treatment Plants - 54.7
Water (Other) - 15.3
SOURCE OF CO2 EMISSIONS (KILOTONNES OF CO2-e) IN 2006/07 FROM WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
Since 2001, the Water Corporation has implemented a
number of greenhouse gas initiatives:
• supporting renewable energy generators. The
Perth Seawater Desalination Plant uses state-of-the-art
energy effi ciency technology and purchases power from
the Emu Downs Wind Farm near Cervantes;
• reducing the demand for water through water use
effi ciency initiatives;
• planting trees to sequester carbon;
• improving vehicle fl eet effi ciencies; and
• using biogas from wastewater treatment processes.
The Water Corporation has set an aspirational target to
have zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and is
implementing a strategy to achieve this. Areas of focus
include:
• improving energy effi ciency;
• supporting renewable energy generators;
and
• managing emissions produced from wastewater treatment.
Investing in renewable energy has the greatest potential
to reduce emissions. The Water Corporation is well placed
to invest in a range of renewable energy sources including
ocean waves, hydro-electricity, biogas, wind and solar energy.
Most electricity used by the Water Corporation is purchased.
Approximately 1.5% is generated at the Woodman Point
Wastewater Treatment Plant from biogas.
Almost 20% of our energy is purchased from generators of
renewable energy, which includes wind, landfi ll gas, and the
use of biogas. This is expected to increase to over 35% in
2008 with the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant operating
at full capacity using electricity purchased from the Emu
Downs Wind Farm. In addition, the Water Corporation
is committed to securing renewable energy to satisfy the
energy requirements of the Southern Seawater
Desalination Plant.
BIODIVERSITY
The Water Corporation manages about one million hectares
of land in the State. About half of this is in the South West
ecoregion, recognised as one of only 34 biodiversity hot-
spots in the world, and the only one in Australia.
Biodiversity is the abundance and diversity of living things
and the ecosystems they belong to, on land and in water.
Biodiversity is crucial to healthy ecosystem function, which
helps to maintain water quality. The State’s biodiversity is
under threat from climate change, land clearing, introduced
pests and diseases, salinity and fi re.
Most catchment areas, water reserves, wastewater
treatment plants and land reserved for future water or
wastewater infrastructure have large tracts of native
vegetation and sometimes water bodies such as wetlands.
They contribute to the retention of biodiversity. Water
Corporation owned land can also provide important
ecological linkages between parcels of bushland to facilitate
movement of fl ora and fauna.
The Water Corporation’s activities can also affect
biodiversity, through the management of land, infrastructure
development, drainage and discharge of water and
wastewater to the environment.
We try to continually improve and manage the land under our
care and where practical, restore or improve biodiversity. This
includes minimising land clearing and severing of ecological
linkages, managing pests and diseases, minimising impacts of
operations on biodiversity and working with universities and
research institutions to learn more about our environment.
Biodiversity is a key issue considered in the development of
future water sources and the delivery of wastewater and
drainage services.
27
28
BUSH FOREVER SITES IN THE PERTH - MANDURAH REGION
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 29
SITES OF HIGH IMPORTANCE TO BIODIVERSITY IN THE PERTH - MANDURAH REGION
CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Heritage Council of Western Australia defi nes cultural
heritage as including:
“Places and events which defi ne and sustain the Australian
character to provide a living and accessible record of the
nation’s cultural history. It comprises places, objects, events,
cultural practices, stories, records and intangible values
which refl ect Australia’s biophysical diversity and its cultural
diversity - Indigenous and non-Indigenous.”
When planning for new water, wastewater and drainage
services we consider heritage, and in particular, Aboriginal
cultural heritage.
Aboriginal cultural heritage
Several years ago the Water Corporation formed a specialised
Indigenous Resources Group to provide a centre of expertise
for Indigenous matters, particularly those related to Native
Title and Heritage Management. To underpin this group
a Statement of Commitment to Indigenous people and
communities has been developed with a commitment to:
• consult with Indigenous groups and communities to
promote an understanding of each other’s concerns and
aspirations;
• assist Indigenous groups to manage issues and
challenges they face as a result of our activities;
• identify and support partnering opportunities that make
a positive difference to Indigenous communities; and
• learn and work with Indigenous people to achieve
sustainable management of water.
Non-Indigenous cultural heritage
There are numerous pipelines; pump stations and other
infrastructure owned by the Water Corporation that have
heritage value.
One iconic pipeline is the CY O’Connor pipeline, which
delivers water from Perth to the Goldfi elds. In 2003, the
100-year anniversary of this pipeline was celebrated through
the National Trust of Australia’s Golden Pipeline project. The
Water Corporation contributed $1.3 million to this project to
preserve the heritage aspects of the Goldfi elds Water Supply
Scheme that delivers water from Mundaring to Kalgoorlie, a
part of the IWSS water grid.
It will ensure the outstanding engineering feat designed and
overseen by CY O’Connor is preserved for the community of
Western Australia.
30
Some other heritage-listed sites that the Water Corporation
own in the study area include:
• Mundaring Weir (National Trust) which is part of the
Perth to Kalgoorlie pipeline;
• the sewer ventilation stack in Highgate Perth. It is
the only existing sewer ventilation stack of its design
in the State. It opened in 1941 to ventilate Perth’s newly
introduced reticulated sewerage system; and
• the Canning Contour Channel on Brookton Highway
in Roleystone. This channel was used to transport
drinking water from Canning Dam to Gosnells between
1940 and 1975 and is the only one of its kind in Western
Australia.
Natural assets also have been shared by generations of
Western Australians. Waterways, wetlands, rivers, the ocean
and natural bushland all contribute to our outdoor lifestyle.
The Swan River, our metropolitan beaches and family
picnics at dam sites are enjoyed by the community for their
recreational and spiritual values. Water planning preserves
these natural heritage assets for the enjoyment of current
and future generations.
CATCHMENT PROTECTION AND DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Managing public drinking water catchments is essential to
public health and safety.
The Water Corporation is an advocate for source protection.
We support the catchment to tap multiple barrier,
risk-based framework outlined in the Australian Drinking
Water Guidelines.
The Department of Water, with the Water Corporation,
assesses and manages public drinking water source areas to
minimise potential risks from local activities and land uses.
Controlling land use in priority areas is critical to protect
water quality. The Department of Water has produced a note
entitled Land Use Compatibility in Public Drinking Water
Source Areas. This includes a table with a list of acceptable
land uses compatible with conditions or incompatible with
the three priority area classifi cations. These are:
• Priority 1 areas, which are managed to ensure that there
is no degradation of the drinking water source by
preventing the development of potentially harmful
activities in these areas;
• Priority 2 areas, which are managed to ensure that
there is no increased risk of water source contamination
or pollution; and
• Priority 3 areas, which manage the risk of pollution to
the water source from catchment activities.
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 31
ABORIGINAL HERITAGE SITES AND NATIVE TITLE CLAIM AREAS IN THE PERTH - MANDURAH REGION
32
COMMITMENT TO DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT
SUPPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Assesment of the drinkingwater supply system
Preventive measures fordrinking water quality management
Operational proceduresand process control
Verification of drinking water quality
Management of incidentsand emergencies
Employee awarenessand training
Community involvementand awareness
Research and development
Documentation and reporting
REVIEW
Evaluationand audit
Review and continualimprovement
The Department of Water has completed over 70 Drinking
Water Source Protection Plans and is well progressed towards
completing plans for all 139 drinking water source areas.
The Water Corporation has prepared catchment
management strategies for metropolitan catchments which
address land use, water quality, vegetation, land forms and
hydrology and include implementation strategies. There
is also a Source Water Protection Strategy for the Perth
Seawater Desalination Plant.
As part of our commitment to the Australian Drinking Water
Guidelines we are also developing Water Safety Plans for
245 localities in Western Australia. These plans promote
near continuous monitoring at each key point in the supply
chain, from the source through to treatment, disinfection
and distribution to customers.
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 33
PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SOURCE PROTECTION AREAS IN THE PERTH - MANDURAH REGION
34
HISTORICAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE SITES IN THE PERTH - MANDURAH REGION
CONNECT
The metropolitan and surrounding areas have an extensive
network of pipes and other infrastructure that allows us to
connect communities to water sources and deliver safe and
reliable water, wastewater and drainage services.
The IWSS water grid connects communities from the north
of Perth, east to the hills, through the city, to Mandurah and
at times, to other water supply systems for the South West
and Great Southern regions.
We connected the Goldfi elds to support the gold rush over
100 years ago. Since then, the water grid has connected
numerous small towns and farms along the way. Today over
75% of Western Australians are connected to our water grid.
Population growth, together with climate change means
that we must be more creative about how we deliver
services to meet our customer’s needs. This includes moving
water and wastewater around the system in the most
effi cient way, at levels of treatment that protect public
health and the environment.
This section provides information about how our water,
wastewater and drainage systems operate and how we
can optimise their use. Importantly, water service delivery
is linked to the land planning process and opportunities to
better integrate these activities are also explored.
WATER SERVICES
The IWSS water grid supplies water to customers. There are
four main components that are common to all water supply
schemes.
Water sources
Water sources collect or abstract water. We have four types
of sources:
• surface water sources – dams to collect and store
streamfl ows;
• groundwater sources – bores or wells that abstract
groundwater;
• seawater – from the ocean; and
• other sources such as drainage water, stormwater and
treated wastewater.
Traditionally, surface water and groundwater schemes were
the only sources used to supply Perth. Due to the impacts of
climate change other types of water sources have now been
added to the scheme. In 2004 the Kwinana Water Recycling
Plant was built to supply treated wastewater to industry in
Kwinana and in 2006, the fi rst seawater desalination plant
was built to supply Perth.
A feature of the IWSS water grid is the very large number of
sources supplying water to the scheme. All sources connect
into the water grid and combine to supply water to Perth
and surrounding areas.
The groundwater schemes are mainly located in the
Northern suburbs, while the surface water sources are
located in the Southern areas, in the hills. The water grid has
been developed so that the Northern groundwater schemes
can supply local areas and water can be transferred to
Southern suburbs.
Similarly, dam water supplies local areas and can be
transferred to Northern suburbs. The Perth Desalination
Plant supplies water to local areas and this water can be
banked - transferred into the dams for later use.
During periods of low storage in dams, groundwater sources
and the desalination plant supply the bulk of the Perth demand.
Water treatment
Source water is treated to meet the required standards of its
end use (for example, drinking water). The level of treatment
is dependent upon the quality of the source water and the
requirements of the end use.
Most of our dams have excellent water quality and only
minimal treatment is required, where chlorine and fl uoride
are added.
The majority of groundwater sources require more
treatment. Deep groundwater tends not to require treatment
but is generally blended with other treated water due to its
high temperature.
Water sources
Water treatment
Water transfer
Water distributionto customers
WATER SUPPLY SCHEME
36
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 37
FUTURE WATER SOURCE OPTIONS
The Perth Seawater Desalination Plant is a complex
treatment plant involving various fi ltration processes
including reverse osmosis treatment. The same process is
proposed for the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant.
The Kwinana Water Recycling Plant includes various fi ltration
processes and reverse osmosis treatment.
Higher levels of treatment are generally more costly and
consume higher amounts of energy.
Water transfer
There is a very large network of water infrastructure that
delivers drinking water from sources and treatment plants to
the customers’ door. The network consists of pipes, pump
stations, valves, storage tanks and reservoirs designed to
deliver the required level of service.
Water is transferred from water sources and water
treatment plants to storage reservoirs and tanks located near
customers. Often the sources are located far away from the
demand areas, so transfer systems can be large. Water is
usually transferred through large pipelines or trunk mains, by
pumping or gravity systems.
Treated water is transferred from the various groundwater
treatment plants and dams to service reservoirs and tanks
in large trunk mains. Examples of these trunk mains are the
Stirling, South Dandalup, Serpentine and Canning trunk
mains, which transfer water from these Southern most
sources to Perth.
The service reservoirs and tanks are located in strategic
locations around Perth on hills to allow gravity to supply
water to customers. Examples of these are the Yokine,
Tamworth and Wanneroo reservoirs and the Bold Park and
Yokine high-level tanks.
In some of the Southern suburbs, distribution mains are
directly connected to trunk (major) mains without using a
reservoir or tank. Pressure reducing valves are used to reduce
high pressure in the trunk mains.
The long-term aim is to have all customers served directly
off reservoirs and tanks, as this improves the level of service.
This supply philosophy has been adopted in the future
planning for the IWSS water grid.
Water distribution to customers
After water transfer, water is delivered through smaller
reticulation mains directly to customers.
WASTEWATER SERVICES
The Water Corporation manages about 90% of Perth and
Mandurah’s wastewater through thirteen wastewater systems.
Beenyup, Subiaco and Woodman Point are large wastewater
systems that collectively serve more than 1.3 million people
in the metropolitan area. Medium sized systems in Point
Peron, Kwinana and Gordon Road (Mandurah) service over
100,000 people.
Small wastewater systems in Halls Head (Mandurah),
Caddadup (Mandurah) and Pinjarra serve around 15,000
people while four very small plants at Two Rocks, Yanchep,
Bullsbrook and Mundaring serve less than 5,000 people.
Wastewater collectionand transfer
Wastewatertreatment
Wastewater disposaland recycling
WASTEWATER SERVICES
38
WASTEWATER FLOWS DIRECTED TO WATER CORPORATION TREATMENT PLANTS OR INDIVIDUALLY MANAGED
Subiaco - 17% Gordon Rd - 2%
Kwinana - 1%
Pt. Peron - 4%
WoodmanPoint - 33%
Beenyup - 32%
Very Small - 0%
Small - 1% Individual - 10%
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 39
AREAS SERVICED BY PERTH - MANDURAH WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS
Any remaining wastewater that is not collected by the Water
Corporation is individually managed on site by homes and
industry through septic tank and leach drain systems.
Wastewater collection and transfer
Collection and transfer systems collect wastewater from
premises by pipes and transfer it to pump stations and
treatment plants. The quality of the wastewater collected
is closely monitored to exclude or minimise chemicals and
pollutants entering the wastewater system.
In Perth, most sewers use gravity to move wastewater
around, making them very energy effi cient. There are also
numerous pumping systems where gravity sewers are not
possible. There are some vacuum sewers in the canal areas
near Mandurah. Far away from wastewater treatment
plants, the pipes are small, as they tend to deal with smaller
volumes. As the volume of wastewater increases closer to
the treatment plant, pipe sizes increase.
In the transfer system, pipes and pump stations that are
prone to odour generation are sealed. In a few cases, vents
and odour scrubbers are used to treat and reduce the odours.
Wastewater can overfl ow prior to treatment if sewer mains
are blocked or broken (generally due to tree roots) or pump
stations fail (generally due to power failures or bursting
pressure mains). To minimise the risk of this occurring, the
Water Corporation ensures its assets are well maintained.
In addition, extra measures are in place to minimise the
consequence of failure, such as the use of remote monitoring,
emergency storage, standby power generation, standby
pumps and duplicate pressure mains at certain pump stations.
Wastewater treatment
Wastewater is 99.97% water and some dissolved and
suspended matter such as solids, oil and greases, detergents,
nutrients, heavy metals and bacteria, which need to be
removed before discharge to the environment or recycling
for other uses.
Wastewater treatment plants treat wastewater to a quality
suitable for recycling or discharge.
Primary treatment settles out or clarifi es about 50% to
60% of the suspended matter in wastewater. The treated
wastewater is suitable for discharge through a long ocean
outfall. This is used at the Point Peron wastewater treatment
plant and is the practice in the large Sydney treatment plants.
Secondary treatment is typically a biological treatment
process that is designed to remove suspended solids
and 85% of the organic matter. The most commonly
used secondary treatment processes are activated-sludge
processes and lagoons. Additional sand fi ltration and
disinfection may also be used.
Tertiary (or advanced treatment) is principally designed to
remove nutrients, such as phosphorus and/or nitrogen. Most
suspended solids are also removed.
Tertiary treatment may additionally target other
contaminants of concern, such as toxins and salt. Typical
tertiary treatment processes include biological nutrient
removal, enhanced pond treatment systems, reverse osmosis
and advanced fi ltration systems.
Most of Perth’s treatment plants are tertiary plants, which
treat water to a high standard and are designed to reduce
nitrogen to less than 15 milligrams per litre. Where recycling
for irrigation occurs there is also sand fi ltration and
disinfection. For industrial recycling in the Kwinana Industrial
Area, micro fi ltration and reverse osmosis are used.
Some Perth wastewater treatment plants have been covered to
reduce odours to the atmosphere. The Water Corporation has
spent over $60 million over the past 10 years on this program.
In addition, there are buffer areas around each treatment plant
to reduce the exposure of homes and businesses to odour.
Wastewater disposal and recycling
Treated wastewater is recycled or discharged to waterways
or land.
In the greater metropolitan area, 81% of all treated
wastewater is safely discharged to the ocean and about
5% recycled. 4% recharges groundwater aquifers and the
balance (not managed by the Water Corporation) is disposed
through septic tank systems.
Most treated wastewater from major plants is discharged
to the ocean from outlets at Ocean Reef, Swanbourne and
Cape Peron.
Ocean discharge is most commonly used around the world
to discharge treated wastewater from larger coastal cities.
The wastewater is treated to a standard to protect ocean
water quality. It can be an environmentally acceptable and
economical method, available all year round.
Of the major Australian cities only Sydney has longer outlets,
but they discharge primary treated wastewater. Adelaide
has tertiary treatment but only short outlets, while Brisbane
discharges tertiary treated wastewater to the river, and
Melbourne has shoreline discharges of secondary treated
wastewater.
40
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
PERCENTAGE OF TREATED WASTEWATER DISCHARGED TO THE ENVIRONMENT OR RECYCLED
Ocean - 81%
Groundwater - 4%
Rivers/Streams - 0.01% GroundwaterSeptic Tanks - 10%
Recycled - 5%
Perth compares very favourably with its major wastewater
treatment plants discharging highly treated (tertiary) wastewater
through long (greater than 1 kilometre) ocean outlets.
The Kwinana, Gordon Road, Halls Head, Caddadup, Two
Rocks and Yanchep wastewater treatment plants recharge
groundwater with treated wastewater. In Mundaring, the
wastewater is discharged to a stream in winter and used to
irrigate public open space in summer.
In the Perth - Mandurah area, recycled water from our
wastewater treatment plants is used:
• for processes within the wastewater treatment plant;
• to provide water for industry at Kwinana and Pinjarra;
and
• for the irrigation of public open space.
A residual of the wastewater treatment process is biosolids
that are recycled (as a soil supplement for agricultural use) or
disposed to landfi ll.
Septic systems and infi ll sewerage
Some lots in the Perth - Mandurah area use septic tanks and
leach drains. Generally these are located in an arc around
the city from Scarborough to Melville. The majority of these
residential lots were developed in the post-second World
War era on large blocks with sandy soils. There were also
signifi cant unsewered areas in localities containing more clay
soils including Midland and Kelmscott.
In the mid 1960s, approximately half of Perth was connected
to the wastewater treatment system. The then Metropolitan
Water Board introduced the requirement for land
developers to connect to reticulated sewerage. In 1981, the
Government Sewerage Policy was introduced.
The policy was introduced as a result of:
• the large number of septic tank and leach drain systems
in the Gwelup Groundwater Public Drinking Water
Supply Area, which had the potential to contaminate
drinking water supplies;
• failing septic systems in clay soils near the river;
• the contribution of nutrients to the Swan River, lakes and
wetlands from all septic systems; and
• the constraint that septic tank systems placed on higher
density development, contributing to Perth’s urban sprawl.
The State Government introduced an $800 million Infi ll
Sewerage Program in 1994. This program is nearing
completion, with about 90% of all Perth properties connected
to the Water Corporation wastewater treatment system.
The Water Corporation is proposing to spend over
$110 million on Infi ll Sewerage over the next 10 years.
Approximately $65 million will be spent in Perth and $45
million in Mandurah.
DRAINAGE SERVICES
A drainage system is a network of drains and associated
infrastructure that manages the collection and transportation
of surplus water, such as stormwater. By managing fl ooding
to minimise property impacts, it allows for the highest and
best use of land, having due regard for the need to protect
the natural environment.
Perth is criss-crossed by a drainage network consisting
of main drains (owned and managed by the Water
Corporation) and local drains (owned and managed by Local
Government). These collect water from drainage catchments
and move it away from areas susceptible to fl ooding to
drainage sumps (pits) where it recharges groundwater, lakes,
wetlands and the ocean.
Local Government manages about 80% of all drainage in
Perth. The Water Corporation manages the balance and
there are over 325,000 homes and business connected to
our drainage network.
41
The Department of Water is responsible for drainage
planning with the preparation of Drainage and Water
Management Plans. These plans identify drainage
infrastructure and associated land requirements, while
managing the environmental values of the catchment. They
ensure all land development includes provision for drainage
systems to protect against the risk of fl ooding for both
minor and major storm events.
The Department of Water is fi nalising a study into the
availability of stormwater from the drainage network in Perth.
Stormwater is increasingly being managed on site to
recharge groundwater that can benefi t the natural
environment and may be accessed through sustainable use
of groundwater systems.
Drainage collection
Stormwater is typically collected from:
• natural catchments;
• roof and site runoff from buildings; and
• streets and other fl at surfaces such as car parks.
Stormwater is directed into drains, which can be in the form
of pipes, open channels, streams and creeks. Drainage water
fl ows into compensating or detention basins, where it soaks
into the ground. This recharges groundwater in local areas. Due
to the fact that Perth has sandy soils, opportunities to recharge
groundwater are maximised through our drainage systems.
Drainage transfer
Drainage water that is not recharged to the ground is
transported from collection areas and retention basins
through main drains. These drains may be in the form of
large pipes or open channels. They are usually large in size
and cut across multiple Local Government areas.
The Water Corporation constructs and maintains these
conveyance systems to meet the level of service as
specifi ed in the Water Corporation’s Operating Licence and
Customer Charter. In summary, we provide urban drainage
infrastructure to protect against fl ooding for the peak fl ows
of stormwater runoff in:
• urban residential areas for a one in fi ve year peak
rainfall event; and
• commercial or industrial areas for a one in 10 year
peak rainfall event.
The Water Corporation is also responsible for rural drains in
the outer - metropolitan area.
Local Government has a requirement to provide fl ood paths
through the catchment to manage major storm events.
Drainage treatment
The Stormwater Management Manual prepared by the
Department of Water identifi es a number of different treatment
methods to improve water quality through the drainage
system. These treatments can be located within both Local
Government and Water Corporation drains. Non-structural
approaches such as managing fertiliser use are also promoted.
The Department of Water and CSIRO are jointly developing
a research program to better understand the most cost
effective methods of improving water quality. The Water
Corporation is contributing to this research.
In Perth, drainage water is most often discharged to the
ground through detention basins. Only excess drainage
water is discharged to watercourses or to the ocean.
Due to the effi ciency of soak wells and the drainage
system as a whole, 90% of the estimated 480 gigalitres of
average annual rainfall in Perth is productively recharged to
groundwater systems and supports associated ecosystems.
The remaining 10% fi nds its way out to rivers and the ocean.
Drainagecollection
Drainagetransfer
Drainage dischargeand recycling
DRAINAGE SERVICES
Drainagetreatment
42
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 43
DRAINAGE CATCHMENTS IN THE PERTH - MANDURAH REGION
Options to connect to the drainage system
Increasingly, drainage water is being retained within
developments under the principles of water sensitive urban
design as part of the local water balance. The Department
of Water is responsible for arterial drainage planning in
Western Australia and the preparation of Drainage and
Water Management Plans (DWMP).
The State Water Plan 2007 identifi ed a number of districts
that require a DWMP to be prepared as a consequence of
land development.
DRAINAGE WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS
Drainage Water
Management Plan
Location Drainage responsibility
Southern River Forrestdale, Wungong Local government drains discharge
into the Forrestdale main drain
Byford Byford Local government drains discharge
into the Oaklands rural drain
downstream of the development area
Jandakot Mandogalup - Bertram (includes Wellard) Upper
Peel MD catchment
Local government drains discharge
into the Peel main drain.
Interim Murray Ravenswood, Pinjarra, Yunderup, North Dandalup,
Nambeelup, Lower Serpentine
Primarily local government drains,
with two rural drains in the southern
catchment
District Murray Ravenswood, Pinjarra West, Pinjarra Central,
Pinjarra North, North Dandalup, Dandalup Upper
Nambeelup, Nambeelup, Lower Serpentine
Caversham - West Swan Caversham - West Swan, Viveash Local government drains
Mundijong - Whitby Mundijong - Whitby Local government drains discharge
into the rural drainage scheme
downstream of the development area
Baldivis - Karnup Baldivis - Karnup Primarily Local government drains
with a portion of the catchment
discharging into the Peel main drain
Keralup/North Mandurah North Mandurah, Lakelands, Stakehill, Keralup Local government drains discharge
into the Dirk Brook rural drain.
Jarrahdale Serpentine, Jarrahdale, Stoneville Local government drains
East Wanneroo East Wanneroo, Carramar, Banksia Grove, Madeley Local government drains
Alkimos Alkimos Local government drains
44
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
CONNECTING WATER FOREVER WITH LAND PLANNING
Current and future developments are supported by the
provision of secure, safe, sustainable water, wastewater
and drainage services. The continued integration of land
and water planning is essential to ensure that future
development can be achieved sustainably.
The Water Corporation supports land and water planning to
meet the needs of our cities, towns and communities, now
and in the future.
In Western Australia, the Western Australian Planning
Commission is responsible for planning land development.
Final approval for land development involves both the Western
Australian Planning Commission and Local Government.
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure administers
policies on behalf of the Planning Commission and ensures
that Local Government approvals are consistent with
statutory (legally binding) and non-statutory (strategic) plans
and policy. The Department is also responsible for optimising
investment in infrastructure (such as roads, power, water,
wastewater and ports) in Western Australia to facilitate the
development and expansion of the State.
The Water Corporation supports the need for improvements
in water use effi ciency in urban areas. The greatest leverage
for sustainable water outcomes occurs at the strategic land
planning stage.
This is particularly the case when decisions are made around
water sources for drinking and other use and the need for
appropriate drainage and wastewater services. Sound land
planning should support the preservation of key natural
assets (such as rivers, waterways, wetlands, groundwater
resources) and water infrastructure (such as treatment plants
and pump stations).
Input into land planning process
The Department of Water has a key role to play to integrate
water resource management with land planning. The Water
Corporation supports these activities as a planning agency
through:
• input into strategic planning exercises such as Network City;
• input into statutory planning policy such as Western
Australian Planning Commission policies 2.7 (source
protection) and 2.9 (water resources); and
• input into metropolitan and regional planning schemes.
A water balance should be completed at regional scales to
identify current and potential water resources and expected
demand. The Water Corporation supports this work by advising
on the form and scale of water infrastructure and programs,
through planning informed by community engagement.
In this way, the optimum balance of new sources, water use
effi ciency initiatives, water quality strategies, drainage and
water sensitive urban design can be integrated with land use
requirements for developments.
This type of planning is new in Western Australia. Water
Forever will identify further priorities in this area.
Development of essential water infrastructure
Land development cannot progress without access to water
and wastewater services. The Water Corporation is a partner
in the land planning process.
The Water Corporation relies on timely and robust
metropolitan, regional and town planning to identify future
needs for water and wastewater services and sites to
develop these services. In addition, roads and power must be
in place well in advance to allow adequate time for planning,
design, project delivery and commissioning of infrastructure
to meet the needs of a growing Western Australia.
Delays in land planning, drainage planning, securing sites
for infrastructure, provision of access roads and suitable
and adequate power supplies have an adverse impact on
water service delivery. If the timing of the need for the
water service doesn’t change, this means that the time for
community engagement, project delivery and us to conduct
detailed planning is compromised.
In some instances, this has been the experience of the Water
Corporation. Specifi c challenges to be addressed include:
• inconsistencies and long lead times to align metropolitan
and regional planning scheme amendments with local
town planning schemes;
• roads and power supplies are not always in place
in a timely manner to support essential water services
infrastructure; and
• the process to obtain sites and reservations for
infrastructure corridors for water infrastructure can be
uncertain and prolonged.
45
The draft Water Forever plan will identify key sites required
in the study area to secure essential water infrastructure. At
this time, sites are expected to be required for new:
• desalination plants;
• large water reservoirs;
• wastewater treatment plants;
• water treatment plants; and
• recycling facilities.
As a general rule, the Water Corporation seeks to purchase
land for these works to ensure compatible land use
approvals. In particular, the land planning process at all levels
needs to support adequate buffers for infrastructure.
The Water Corporation relies on land planning to secure
easements to allow for infrastructure corridors to connect
new infrastructure to customers. The land planning process
is also relied on to ensure adequate source protection for
surface and groundwater sources. Source protection is vital
for public health and helps supports ecosystem health.
Protection of water infrastructure
There is over $13 billion of investment in water, wastewater
and drainage infrastructure in the area covered by this study.
Water assets have very long lives, often 100 to 200 years.
Once a dam, desalination plant or wastewater treatment
plant has been built, there is an expectation that it will be
maintained and renewed to support water services for future
generations. This supports service delivery, makes economic
sense and provides certainty for adjacent land holders and
the community.
However, land planning decisions do not always adequately
support our investment in water infrastructure. This can happen
through the rezoning of land or through the loss of buffer areas
surrounding key infrastructure, due to urban encroachment.
This risk is particularly high for wastewater treatment plants.
Without these plants, new land cannot be developed and we
cannot recycle water to industry, for parks and other uses.
The draft Water Forever plan will identify strategies and
actions to support better protection of key water assets.
Lot servicing
The Water Corporation supplies water services to over
98% of the State’s population. In the study area, Western
Australia’s land planning policies generally require access to
reticulated scheme water and wastewater supplies before
urban development approvals can be granted.
Landowners may supplement these scheme services with
garden bores, rainwater tanks or greywater systems, subject
to approval from the Department of Health and the relevant
Local Government authority.
The Water Corporation is a referral agency for subdivision
approvals and a clearing authority for water, wastewater,
drainage and land use conditions.
The Water Corporation has a responsibility to connect new
lots to water and wastewater services under our Operating
Licence issued by the Economic Regulation Authority. Under
our Customer Charter issued as part of this licence, we
commit to installing or activating a water service within a
fi xed period of time, once the conditions of connection have
been satisfi ed.
The Water Corporation works closely with the development
industry to ensure that we facilitate land development and
servicing.
46
CREATE
Living in or near a city that is growing at the rate that Perth
is growing provides opportunities for us to create new water
and wastewater services to meet our needs.
This section examines water and wastewater options for the
future.
Meeting growing demand for water services
The IWSS water grid supplies water to meet consumer
demand. As water demand grows, so must our water source
capacity to meet that demand.
The amount that the IWSS water grid can supply varies
every year. Water available from dams is directly impacted by
rainfall. The amount of water available from groundwater
can also vary somewhat from year to year, although most
groundwater reserves are large and can withstand some
fl uctuation in annual rainfall.
Due to signifi cant investment over the past fi ve years in
recycling and desalination, the IWSS water grid is becoming less
dependent on rainfall and more resilient in periods of drought.
Based on the population projections from the Western
Australian Planning Commission, we have estimated that
there will be total demand for water from the IWSS water
grid of 320 gigalitres by 2020. Based on CSIRO rainfall
projections, we estimate that there will be a small gap
between demand and system yield of 5 gigalitres at that time.
New water solutions will be required prior to 2020 to meet
this demand and increasing future demand for water, as the
population grows. That may include signifi cant investment in a
single source, or a range of smaller sources and water effi ciency.
The gap between supply and demand will continue to
grow due to increasing demand and expected reductions
in rainfall. By 2060, there is a possible gap of 255 gigalitres
between water available in the system and demand, without
further investment.
Planning ahead now helps us to make wise choices and
keep options open for the future.
Summary of demand and supply water options
Information sheets have been developed on the many
options for our water future by 2020, 2030 and 2060. These
include options for customers connected to the IWSS water
grid to recycle or use less scheme water. These information
sheets can be downloaded from
www.watercorporation.com.au/waterforever.
SUPPLY DEMAND GAP, WITHOUT FURTHER INVESTMENT, BY 2020, 2030 AND 2060
Year Estimated
water
demand
Possible
system yield
Supply -
demand gap
Gigalitres a year
2020 320 315 5
2030 360 285 75
2060 470 215 255
The table over the page provides an overview of water use
effi ciency and source options that could be developed. Due
to signifi cant climate uncertainty in latter years, we have not
included estimates for climate dependent sources in 2060.
These options may still have a role in our water future, but
greater certainty is required to estimate the amount they
may contribute to IWSS supply security.
Cloud seeding, groundwater from South West Yarragadee and
moving water from the Kimberley are not being considered
by the Water Corporation for water supply to the IWSS water
grid and are not included in the table over the page.
Uncertainties in future source yields and costings
Each prospective water source and initiative is evaluated for
their yield (amount available for use in the IWSS water grid),
rainfall dependency, energy use and cost per kilolitre.
Most of the work to estimate the yield of each source option
was undertaken based on the standard climate period used
by the Department of Water to forecast available water
resources in relatively wet years from 1975 – 2002.
As noted, too much uncertainty exists with rainfall
projections to estimate yields from climate dependent
sources by 2060. Rapid changes in rainfall have already
occurred and we require more information to accurately
forecast the impact of future rainfall on climate dependent
water sources. Monitoring actual rainfalls and continuing to
invest in knowledge of our climate will progressively provide
more information to assist planning.
Estimates have been included for rainfall independent
sources such as water use effi ciency initiatives, water
recycling and seawater desalination.
48
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 49
WATER SOURCE AND EFFICIENCY OPTIONS TO MEET WATER DEMAND TO 2060
IWSS water supply and effi ciency options (gigalitres a year) 2020 2030 2060
Water use effi ciency Water use effi ciency initiatives 4 12 40
Individual alternative water
supplies
Rainwater tanks 5 10 Not known
Garden bores 8 15 Not known
Greywater systems 3 6 15
Community alternative
water supplies
Community bore systems 6 10 Not known
Sewer mining systems 5 10 20
Community 3rd pipe system 5 10 20
Water recycling Groundwater replenishment 25 50 100
Industrial uses 5 30 50
Desalination Southern Seawater
Desalination Plant (Phase 2)
50 50 50
Other sites 100 200
Esperance pipeline 15 20 20
Surface water sources Water trading 7 7 Not known
Brunswick dam 30 Not known
Wellington system:
• Collie basin 10 10 Not known
• Wellington dam 14 Not known
• Water trading 16 Not known
Groundwater sources North West Coastal 10 20 Not known
Jandakot expansion 3 3 Not known
Gingin - Jurien 10 20 Not known
Karnup - Dandalup 5 10 Not known
Other options Catchment management 5 25 Not known
Total of Climate Independent sources and initiatives 112 288 515
Total of Climate Dependent sources 69 190 Not known
Key: Climate independent Climate dependent
50
It is important to note that groundwater source costs are for
local use. They do not include connection to the IWSS water
grid or additional storage costs, which can be signifi cant.
The location of a water source, the demand centre it will
supply and the need for additional storage all need to be
considered to fully cost a source option.
WATER USE EFFICIENCY INITIATIVES
Current water use effi ciency initiatives are expected to
reduce demand to 145 kilolitres per person (for residential
and commercial use) per year by 2012.
Further water use effi ciency initiatives could provide further
savings, and partially reduce the need for new sources.
1. Water effi ciency programs (40% future savings)
More savings could be achieved by more investment in
Waterwise Programs and changes to building codes.
2. Increased density living (30% future savings)
The future trend in the metropolitan area is for increasing
numbers of multi-residential dwellings. Currently the ratio
of single residential to multi-residential dwellings is 71% to
29%. It is estimated that this ratio will be in the order of
55% to 45% by 2060. The move to smaller dwellings with
smaller gardens will reduce water consumption.
3. Technological advancements (20% future savings)
More water effi cient appliances and irrigation systems,
supported by the Water Effi ciency Labelling Scheme, Smart
Watermark, rebate and retro-fi t schemes could save more
water in businesses and homes.
4. Behavioural change (10% future savings)
Greater environmental awareness promoted by advertising
and behavioural change programs including comparative
billing and social marketing could alter people’s water usage
habits and save more water.
These programs could achieve savings over a range,
dependent on the degree to which customers are
encouraged to adopt more water effi cient habits or
regulation is used to mandate change.
ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLIES
Traditionally, we have used drinking water supplies for
almost all household and business water uses. We are now
beginning to integrate alternative water supplies for non-
drinking water needs. These include toilet fl ushing, garden
watering and water used in the laundry.
In general, these alternative water supplies can provide
individual households and businesses with small reductions
in scheme water usage. The impact that they may have in
helping us to meet our water future will be the product of
the saving of each source at a business or household level
and the degree of penetration across the metropolitan area,
in both new and existing buildings.
On average, rainwater tanks are estimated to save up to 50
kilolitres a year when plumbed for indoor use. Garden bores
may be plumbed for internal use as part of a community
bore scheme. In this instance, they may save 71 kilolitres
water from the IWSS water grid in one year.
Greywater systems are used to water gardens. On average,
they can supply about 60 kilolitres of water a year for this use.
For health purposes, all alternative water sources for in home
use require a back up water supply. In almost all instances in
the metropolitan area, this is the IWSS water grid.
The State Government is supporting the use of alternative
water supplies through the introduction of a program of
changes to the Building Code known as Five Star Plus. In the
second stage of this program, proposed for introduction in
2008, new residential and commercial buildings will require
plumbing to be installed to allow for ease of connection to
an alternative water supply for non-drinking water uses like
toilet fl ushing.
Demand programs Cost Savings by 2060
(gigalitres a year)
Rainfall dependence Energy usage
Residential < $1.50 a kilolitre 28 - 84 Low Low
Business < $1.50 a kilolitre 9 - 25 Low Low
Other < $1.50 a kilolitre 3 - 10 Low Low
POTENTIAL WATER EFFICIENCY SAVINGS
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
Rainwater tanks
Rainwater tanks have supplied rural water needs in Western
Australia for many years. The Department of Health supports
the use of rainwater tanks in Perth for non-drinking water
uses. There is some increased risk of pollution by airborne
chemical and microbiological contamination when rainwater
tanks are used for drinking water purposes.
The amount of water collected by a rainwater tank varies
and major determinants include:
• size of roof area;
• indoor and outdoor use or outdoor use only;
• rainfall patterns;
• number of household occupants (and usage); and
• tank size.
Rainwater tanks rely on rainfall, and storage capacity is limited
in urban areas by the available space (generally two kilolitres
but could be as big as ten kilolitres). They are best used
frequently, as this increases the number of times they can be
refi lled (such as connecting for toilet and clothes washing use).
Perth gets 70% of its rainfall in four months during winter
and spring. This means that the tanks may only be fi lled
once or twice if they are only used for outdoor water use in
a long, dry summer.
Most local councils require that a building application be
approved before a rainwater tank can be installed. The State
Government provides a Waterwise Rebate of up to $600 for
tanks greater than 2 kilolitres that are plumbed into the house.
Garden bores
Garden bores draw water from shallow groundwater,
generally to about 50 metres in depth, although some can
be as deep as 100 metres. This source of water is fed by
rainfall, which percolates into the ground across most of
the Swan Coastal Plain. Garden bores can provide a fi t for
purpose water source and can take pressure off scheme
drinking water supplies.
It is estimated that there are about 164,000 garden
bores in Western Australia, with about 90% in the Perth
metropolitan area. These bores supply over 20% of all
household water.
51
POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCES
Source option Cost Supply by 2030 Supply by 2060 Rainfall
dependence
Energy usage
Rainwater tanks $2 - $3 a
kilolitre
10 gigalitres Not known High Low
Garden bores Less than $1 a
kilolitre
15 gigalitres Not known Medium Low
Greywater systems $4.50 a kilolitre 6 gigalitres 15 gigalitres Low Low
Community bore systems $1 a kilolitre for
untreated, and
$4 a kilolitre for
treated water
10 gigalitres Not known Medium Low
Sewer mining systems $4 - $8 a
kilolitre
10 gigalitres 20 gigalitres Low Medium
Community third pipe
systems
$4 - $6 a
kilolitre
10 gigalitres 20 gigalitres Low Medium
Some areas in Perth are unsuitable for a garden bore. These
areas are generally:
• close to wetlands;
• near the foothills and places with clay or alluvial soils;
• within about 200 metres of the Swan River estuary or
the ocean, including the Cottesloe Peninsula where salt
water can be drawn into the bore;
• near industrial and waste disposal sites where
groundwater may be contaminated; and
• in locations prone to acid sulphate soils.
Since February 2003 the State Government has supported
the installation of garden bores through a Waterwise rebate
to people in areas where bores are suitable according to the
Perth Groundwater Atlas. Over 21,000 rebates have been
granted since the program began (about 5,000 a year).
Garden bores depend on rainfall to recharge groundwater.
As rainfall in the South West of Western Australia has fallen
over the past 30 years, we need to use this resource wisely.
The Department of Water is currently updating the Perth
Groundwater Atlas. Rebates for garden bores will no longer
be available for areas deemed unsuitable for additional bores.
In October 2007, the State Government implemented
permanent Water Effi ciency Measures (WEMs) that impact
the use of garden bores. In the Perth region, garden bores
are now subject to a three-day a week sprinkler roster
system. This is adequate to maintain a garden without
wasting water and avoids the risks of overuse.
The potential for additional garden bores is generally
decreasing due to a number of factors, including:
• introduction of the three day a week sprinkler rostering
system for bores;
• loss of rebate in some areas;
• smaller lot sizes making them less economical; and
• waterwise gardens requiring less water to maintain.
It is estimated that between 2,000 to 3,000 new garden
bores will be added each year over the next 10 years.
Greywater
Greywater is wastewater that comes from the bath, spa,
shower, bathroom washbasins, clothes washing machine,
laundry trough, dishwasher and kitchen sink. Greywater
from the kitchen sink is generally not recycled due to the
contaminants it contains.
In 2007, the average household produced about 90 kilolitres
of recyclable greywater from the bathroom and laundry.
Reusing greywater may involve bucketing or installing a
greywater diversion system, which diverts greywater to a
subsurface irrigation system, after fi ltration. Greywater recycling
involves installing a system that treats greywater to a quality for
other uses such as toilet fl ushing or sprinkler irrigation.
Both treatment systems need to be approved by the
Department of Health. They have published a Code of
Practice on the reuse and recycling of greywater, which
includes details on how to safely bucket greywater and how
to go about safely installing and maintaining an approved
greywater system. They also publish a list of all greywater
systems approved for use in Western Australia.
Waterwise Rebates for greywater systems were introduced
in February 2003 as part of the Waterwise Rebate Program.
They currently attract a Government rebate of up to $500.
By January 2008 only 144 households had applied for a
rebate compared with over 21,000 rebates for garden bores
and over 13,000 for rainwater tanks.
Community bores
The Water Corporation has been working with developers,
Government departments and local councils to investigate
the use of community bores (jointly owned garden bores) for
outside watering and use in the home. These bores may help
to conserve water as they are monitored and can be linked
to weather stations to limit unnecessary watering.
Community bores generally rely on the superfi cial aquifer
and as such may be impacted by falling water levels in
times where there is low rainfall. They also require piping
to connect the bores to homes and buildings, and this
duplication can be expensive.
Sewer mining
Wastewater can be sourced directly from pipes in
the wastewater transfer system before it reaches the
wastewater treatment plant. This is known as sewer mining.
Appropriately treated, water from sewer mining can be used
in industrial applications and to irrigate public open space.
Sewer mining requires wastewater to be treated in a stand-
alone system. It is most economical where use is close to a
wastewater treatment main. Care needs to be taken that
enough wastewater remains in the main to enable the
wastewater system to work.
Historically, groundwater has provided a safer and more cost
effective alternative to sewer mining in the metropolitan area.
The use of sewer mining in the study area is expected to be
most feasible in areas where groundwater is not available.
52
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
Third pipe wastewater recycling
Water can be sourced from greywater, treated wastewater or
drainage water for non-drinking uses in and around the home.
This is generally referred to as a ‘third pipe’ system as it requires
an additional pipeline to the house (separate from the existing
drinking water and wastewater pipes) to supply the water.
The water could be used for external uses such as garden
watering and car washing as well as some domestic internal
uses such as toilet fl ushing.
WATER RECYCLING
Water is considered recycled when wastewater or drainage
water (stormwater) is appropriately treated and supplied to
suitable end uses such as:
• industrial use;
• groundwater replenishment for drinking;
• watering of public open space such as parks and golf
courses; and
• agriculture.
In April 2007, the Premier announced that a State Water
Recycling Strategy would be developed to improve water
use effi ciency and water recycling in Western Australia. This
strategy supports the State Water Plan 2007 water policy
framework to ‘use and recycle water wisely’.
The Water Corporation participated in the development of
the strategy and is considering ways to use recycled water.
Some of these options can be used to meet projected
demand in water use.
There is signifi cant potential to recycle water for industrial
use. For example, the existing Kwinana Water Recycling
Plant was designed to accommodate a 60% increase
of current capacity to 10 gigalitres a year. The Water
Corporation has planning in place to develop this additional
source, subject to fi nalising funding arrangements.
There are also opportunities to provide recycled water to
other industrial locations. We support the provision of a third
pipe in new industrial areas to facilitate more water recycling.
The Water Corporation is undertaking a trial at the Beenyup
Wastewater Treatment Plant in Craigie to test the feasibility
of replenishing groundwater with highly treated wastewater.
Subject to the outcomes of the technical feasibility of the
trial and community acceptance, a 25 gigalitre a year source
could be developed by 2020 for public drinking water supply.
Other uses, such as recycled water for agriculture and public
open space, generally do not relieve demand from the IWSS
water grid, because we do not currently provide water for
these purposes. Recycled water however, may provide the
right alternative for these applications particularly where
groundwater is scarce.
DESALINATION
The Perth Seawater Desalination Plant has been operational
since October 2006, delivering 45 gigalitres a year of
safe, reliable drinking water to Perth. The plant’s energy
requirements are purchased from the Emu Downs Wind
Farm and there have been no adverse impacts on the water
quality of Cockburn Sound, strictly monitored as a condition
of environmental approval.
Work to design and obtain regulatory approvals for
the proposed Southern Seawater Desalination Plant at
Binningup, 150 kilometres South of Perth, is progressing.
The plant is designed to deliver a further 50 gigalitres of
water a year, about 16% of total supply, by 2011. This site
could be expanded in the future to accommodate another
50 gigalitres a year.
53
POTENTIAL RECYCLED WATER SOURCES
Source option Cost Supply by 2030 Supply by 2060 Rainfall
dependence
Energy usage
Groundwater
replenishment
$1.50 - $3 a
kilolitre
50 gigalitres 100 gigalitres Low Medium
Industrial recycling $1 - $2 a kilolitre 30 gigalitres 50 gigalitres Low Medium
The major advantage of seawater desalination is that it is
rainfall independent. The plants can deliver a continuous
stream of safe drinking water, which can be used straight
away or banked into dams for later use.
More plants could be constructed in other locations around
Perth to meet future water supply needs. The Water
Corporation is undertaking a detailed study to determine
future options for desalination plant sites.
Another major consideration is energy. A desalination plant
uses 6 to 10 times more energy to produce a kilolitre of
water than sourcing groundwater.
In 2005, United Utilities Australia proposed an alternative
drinking water source for the Goldfi elds and Agricultural
regions and the Perth metropolitan area. They proposed
that water be sourced from a seawater desalination plant at
Esperance and piped 385 kilometres to Kalgoorlie. The water
would mainly be used for mining operations in the area and
for domestic water supply in Kalgoorlie. It would also provide
a drinking water source for Esperance.
The seawater desalination pipeline would result in the
existing Goldfi elds and Agricultural water supply pipeline
to Kalgoorlie terminating at Southern Cross. The existing
scheme would remain predominantly as a scheme for
agricultural towns and farmlands.
The State Government reviewed the project and found that
at the time it was not the most economical option.
In general, desalination is a much more expensive source of
water than traditional surface and groundwater resources.
This is infl uenced by a number of factors including process
design, pumping distance, need for new storage, energy
costs, and construction. Final costs need to be informed by
specifi c site considerations.
Other social and environmental issues may need to
be considered for each plant, depending on the site
location. These are addressed in site selection and detailed
infrastructure planning with community engagement.
Consideration has also been given to desalinating saline
groundwater from country towns. Saline groundwater has
been identifi ed as a problem in 38 rural towns in Western
Australia, threatening roads, buildings and other infrastructure.
A proactive approach to address this issue has been a
collaborative effort between the Department of Agriculture
and Food, Local Governments, CSIRO and other agencies to
develop water management plans for some of these towns.
This work has identifi ed that the best option is to use this
surplus water, treated to an appropriate standard, to irrigate
parks and other non-drinking water uses. Using this water
as a substitute for drinking water supply proved to be too
costly in most instances. Where it does make sense it will be
explored as a scheme option for the local town, to minimise
pumping costs.
SURFACE WATER SOURCES
Most cities around the world source their drinking water
from rivers and dams.
Similarly, up until about 30 years ago, almost all scheme
water used by customers in Perth and the Goldfi elds and
Agricultural regions came from surface water resources in
the Darling Scarp. These dams provided a reliable source of
water as a result of comparatively wet years.
The last major storage dam built for Perth was the Harvey
Dam, located in the South West of the State, to further
augment the IWSS water grid during this period of reducing
water source yields.
POTENTIAL DESALINATED SEAWATER SOURCES
Source option Cost Supply by 2030 Supply by 2060 Rainfall
dependence
Energy usage
Seawater Desalination $2 - $3 a
kilolitre
150 gigalitres 250 gigalitres Low High
United Utilities - Esperance
to Kalgoorlie supply
$2 - $3 a
kilolitre
20 gigalitres 20 gigalitres Low High
54
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
Dams interrupt natural river systems and impact downstream
fl ows and ecosystems. The Water Corporation manages
surface water catchments to protect drinking water quality
and minimise adverse environmental impacts, together with
the Department of Water and Department for Environment
and Conservation.
There are a number of surface water options that have
been considered to meet Perth’s future water demand. They
are entirely dependent on rainfall. This creates signifi cant
uncertainty for these resources in the future; particularly
those located in the Southern half of the State where rainfall
is projected to decline.
Water trading - Harvey
Water trading is about buying a water entitlement from a
licensed user. This limits additional impacts on the water
resource and can provide a revenue source for the seller. Due
to the high cost of securing public water supply, this can also
be a cost effective option for water utilities.
The Water Corporation secured a trading agreement with
Harvey Water in 2006 to permanently transfer 17.1 gigalitres
of water a year from the irrigation cooperative for public
water supply. Piping open channels, thereby reducing
leakage and evaporation, saved this water.
Harvey Water, the irrigation cooperative, has identifi ed that
there may be a further opportunity to trade 7 gigalitres of water
a year through more investment in on-farm water effi ciency.
Brunswick Dam
The Brunswick River is located 200 kilometres south of Perth,
near Brunswick Junction. There are several possible water
source development options ranging from a small dam to
a major large dam, resulting in supply of between 20 to 34
gigalitres of water per year.
The development of this dam would require additional
investment in water treatment due to water quality issues
in the catchment area. There are also signifi cant social and
environmental considerations including clearing of native
55
POTENTIAL SURFACE WATER SOURCES
Source option Cost Supply by 2030 Supply by 2060 Rainfall
dependence
Energy usage
Water trading - Harvey < $1 a kilolitre 7 gigalitres Not known High Low
Brunswick Dam $1 - 2 a kilolitre 30 gigalitres Not known High Low
Wellington Dam
• Groundwater
• Dam
• Water trading
< $1 /KL
$2-3 / KL
$2-3 / KL
10 gigalitres
14 gigalitres
16 gigalitres
Not known
Not known
Not known
Low
High
High
Low
Medium
Low
Water from the Kimberley
- pipeline
$9.70 a kilolitre 200 gigalitres 200 gigalitres High High
Water from the Kimberley
- canal
$20.50 a
kilolitre
200 gigalitres 200 gigalitres High High
Water from the Kimberley
- water bags
Not determined 200 gigalitres 200 gigalitres High High
Water from the Kimberley
- supertanker
$6.70 a kilolitre 200 gigalitres 200 gigalitres High High
vegetation, inundation of the river valley, impacts on private
landowners in the catchment area, impacts on fl ora and fauna
and possible loss of recreational and social values in the area.
These signifi cant issues are reasons why this resource has not
been developed to date.
Wellington Dam
Wellington Dam is an existing irrigation dam on the Collie
River located near the town of Collie in the South West of
the State. Harvey Water manages the irrigation district that
lies downstream. The dam is a popular recreational, fi shing
and boating destination.
Currently, the Collie and Muja power stations use Collie Coal
Basin groundwater.
Water resource issues in this area are complex due to the
connectivity of the surface and groundwater resources,
multiple users and the high salinity of water in Wellington
Dam. In addition, the dam yields are also declining due
to reduced rainfalls in recent years. Projections are for
continuing declining rainfalls due to drying climate, although
there may be some very wet years at times.
The State Government considered further development of
the Wellington Dam and Collie groundwater water resources
in 2007. The report ‘Water Source Options in the Collie-
Wellington Basin’ was released in May 2007.
The report noted that Wellington Dam and Collie Basin
groundwater are potential sources for public water supply.
The study examined a range of options, but recommended
more detailed work before decisions could be made. The
Department of Water is responsible for further investigations
of the recommendations made in the report.
The Water Corporation has examined three options to
develop these water resources for public water supply:
• short–term groundwater - there is a short term surplus
of groundwater currently set aside for mine dewatering.
This water is of relatively high quality and could be
accessed as a drinking water supply. The water could be
pumped into Stirling Dam and then on to the IWSS
water grid.
• long-term groundwater - if water could be supplied
to the power stations from Wellington Dam instead of
groundwater, the groundwater may become available for
long term public water supply. A 10 gigalitre a year
scheme could be developed using Stirling Dam to store
the water. This would require substantial upgrades to the
Stirling Dam infrastructure to connect it to the IWSS
water grid; and
• development of Wellington Dam for public water
supply - Wellington Dam could provide a 30 gigalitre
a year source for public drinking water supply. This may
require a desalination plant downstream of Wellington
Dam and a new trunk main to connect to the IWSS
(unless the water was retained for regional use). This
option is very complex and would require irrigators to
trade their current allocation to the public water supply.
There are also signifi cant catchment management issues
that would require resolution, as the Dam is a popular
recreational area.
Moving water from the Kimberley
For many years there has been community interest in
developing water resources in the far north of the State
for public water supply in Perth. Water resources in the
Kimberley are abundant and currently there is a signifi cant
amount of water from both the Ord and Fitzroy Rivers
fl owing to the ocean.
These resources have not been developed to date due to
access to adequate and cheaper surface water, groundwater
and more recently desalinated seawater closer to Perth. The
distance to transport water from the Ord River Dam (over
3,500 kilometres) is extremely high, six times the length of
the Perth – Kalgoorlie pipeline.
In 2004, the State Government appointed an independent
panel to evaluate the technical and fi nancial viability of
transporting water from the Kimberley region to service
inland communities and Perth. The comprehensive report
was released in 2006.
Four options were explored in detail to source 200 gigalitres
of water a year:
• a pipeline – from Fitzroy River to Perth;
• a canal – from Fitzroy River to Perth;
• towed water bags from the Ord Dam to Perth; and
• a super-tanker from the Ord Dam to Perth.
The Panel concluded that moving water from the Kimberley
in these quantities would have signifi cant social and
environmental impacts. In addition, energy consumption
for all options was extremely high. The lowest cost option,
transport via water tankers, produces 3 times as much
greenhouse gases as seawater desalination.
Importantly, the water has signifi cant cultural value to
Indigenous people and has signifi cant recreational and
tourist value. The pipeline and canal would both require
damming the Fitzroy River, which would have signifi cant
impacts on the local environment.
56
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
All options are very costly. The unit cost of the cheapest
option, ocean transport by super- tankers is $6.70 per
kilolitre, more than 2.5 times the cost of desalination. The
most expensive option is the canal option, which has an
estimated unit cost of $20.50 per kilolitre.
These resources have been partially developed by the Ord
River irrigation scheme which supports irrigated horticulture
in Kununurra. Currently there is a State and Federal
Government taskforce, which is further examining the
development of these resources for local use.
Moving water from the North is not a water supply option
currently being considered by the Water Corporation.
GROUNDWATER SOURCES
Since the 1970’s groundwater resources of the sedimentary
Perth Basin have been developed to supply drinking water
to the metropolitan area and communities connected to the
IWSS water grid.
The Perth basin hugs the coast and extends North to the Mid
West and South to the Southern Ocean. It has the largest
fresh groundwater availability in Western Australia and
supports diverse ecosystems including wetlands, lakes and
caves. There are three major aquifers in the Perth basin: the
superfi cial (or shallow), the Leederville and the Yarragadee.
The superfi cial aquifer is connected to the surface and
can fl uctuate in response to annual rainfall. Water in the
confi ned Leederville and Yarragadee aquifers is separated
from each other and the superfi cial aquifer by an
impermeable layer called a confi ning bed. Water in these
aquifers may extend to depths of several thousand metres
and may include water recharged tens or thousands of years
ago, having less reliance on annual rainfall.
Groundwater from these aquifers supports public drinking
water supply, agriculture, mining, industry, public open
space and garden bores.
Currently about 50% of the IWSS water grid is supplied by
groundwater. Groundwater supplies are relatively low cost and
use small amounts of energy. Source protection areas maintain
these resources for drinking water supply. The aquifers
themselves provide storage of water from year to year.
There are a number of groundwater resources that have
been investigated to determine if they could be options for
our water future.
The following groundwater sources are currently unproven
and would require signifi cant further investigation, including
investigative drilling, to test the quality, quantity and viability
of the schemes. The Department of Water would need to
allocate water for public water supply to develop these
sources and they would require source protection.
The Karnup, Dandalup, Gingin, Jurien and North West
Coastal groundwater resources are relatively close to Perth
and preliminary estimates indicate they would cost $1.00 a
kilolitre to develop for local use. If the water requires piping
to distant areas within the IWSS water grid, signifi cant
integration costs will need to be added and may potentially
double these unit costs.
Most of these sources already have some private water
abstraction and are near private land holdings, nature
reserves or wetlands. Any development of these potential
groundwater resources requires further consultation. In
particular, advice from the Department of Water is required
as to whether there is any water available for public water
supply in these areas.
North West Coastal Groundwater
The North West Coastal groundwater scheme could be
located North of the existing Neerabup coastal groundwater
scheme, parallel to the coast. The groundwater is located
in the outer perimeter of the Gnangara Mound. There is
potentially a yield of 28 gigalitres a year (20 gigalitres by
2030) from the superfi cial aquifer which drains to the ocean.
The scheme would require treatment prior to distribution to
customers. This source is located close to future North West
corridor growth.
The Department of Water is currently fi nalising a Water
Management Plan for the Gnangara Mound, which
considers the reservation of groundwater from this area for
public water supply.
Consideration needs to be given to the social and
environmental impacts that may result from developing the
borefi eld in conjunction with private land developments.
The scheme includes some water from the superfi cial aquifer,
which may be adversely impacted by climate change.
Jandakot Groundwater
The Jandakot Mound is an existing water source for Perth.
The Water Corporation has abstracted about 7 gigalitres a
year on average, 5 gigalitres from the superfi cial aquifer and
2 gigalitres from the confi ned Leederville aquifer.
Works completed in 2007 have expanded the Jandakot
groundwater scheme to 10 gigalitres a year, with the
increase from the confi ned aquifer.
57
There is an opportunity to abstract a further 3 gigalitres a
year from the superfi cial aquifer. In addition to the expansion
of the borefi eld, this would require investment to increase
the capacity of the Jandakot water treatment plant.
Karnup - Dandalup Groundwater
The prospective Karnup - Dandalup groundwater scheme
is located 55 kilometres South East of Perth and has a
potential source yield of 20 gigalitres a year (10 gigalitres by
2030). This source, from both the superfi cial and confi ned
aquifers, is close to future growth in the South West
corridor.
The scheme could be similar in nature to other Perth
groundwater schemes and would most likely need treatment
prior to distribution to customers. The Department of Water
has not released a water management plan for this area.
Other major issues requiring resolution include the social
and environmental concerns of developing the borefi elds
amongst signifi cant wetlands and private land holdings. The
water may also be slightly salty, meaning it would require
blending with another higher quality water source to make it
suitable for drinking.
The scheme includes some water from the superfi cial aquifer,
which may be adversely impacted by climate change.
Gingin - Jurien Groundwater
The prospective Gingin – Jurien groundwater scheme is
located North of Moore River towards Badgingarra and has
a potential source yield of up to 30 gigalitres per year (20
gigalitres by 2030). Available water is from both superfi cial
and confi ned aquifers. The scheme could be similar in nature
to the Water Corporation’s other Northern groundwater
schemes and the water would most likely need full
treatment prior to distribution to customers.
There is signifi cant use of groundwater in this area for
irrigated horticulture. Any increase in water allocations
would require consideration by the Department of Water.
Competition for use, particularly with agriculture, is a major
consideration in relation to this source.
Environmental impacts must also be considered as all or part
of the borefi eld would be situated in nature reserves and
national parks.
South West Yarragadee Groundwater
The Water Corporation had a proposal to develop a 45
gigalitre a year groundwater scheme in this area to supply
the IWSS water grid. The scheme broadly consisted of
a borefi eld and water treatment plant near the town of
Jarrahwood, and a 110 kilometre buried pipeline to connect
the treatment plant to the IWSS water grid near Harvey.
POTENTIAL GROUNDWATER SOURCES
Source option Cost Supply by 2030 Supply by 2060 Rainfall
dependence
Energy usage
North West Coastal Less than $1 a
kilolitre
20 gigalitres Not known Medium Low
Jandakot expansion Less than $1 a
kilolitre
3 gigalitres Not known Medium Low
Karnup and Dandalup Less than $1 a
kilolitre
10 gigalitres Not known Medium Medium
Gingin - Jurien Less than $1 a
kilolitre
20 gigalitres Not known Medium Medium
South West Yarragadee $1 - $2 a
kilolitre
45 gigalitres Not known Medium Medium
58
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
The Water Corporation conducted extensive investigations
and planning and applied for a water allocation from this
resource. An Environmental Review and Management Plan
was submitted to the Environmental Protection Authority for
approval in late 2005.
The Water Corporation has formally withdrawn the
application to use the source.
The Department of Water is currently fi nalising a
management plan for this groundwater system that includes
reservation of water for public water supply, primarily for
regional water demand.
OTHER OPTIONS
The Water Corporation is exploring catchment management
and cloud seeding to determine if they are options for
Perth’s water future. They are both rainfall dependent.
Catchment management
Forest or catchment management includes various
techniques to improve the state of the forest and conserve
the environment. Catchment thinning is one such technique
that has been used in the past to improve the environment
and increase streamfl ows.
In 2002, the need for a better understanding of the interaction
between water, land and biodiversity in our forested
catchments was identifi ed to provide informed decisions on
their future management. To address this need the Water
Corporation prepared a proposal to undertake extensive
research in the Wungong Drinking Water Catchment.
The Wungong Catchment is a drinking water catchment
60 kilometres South East of Perth. The catchment has been
previously logged and mined for bauxite. It lies within a high
rainfall zone and is considered a degraded regrowth forest
consisting of mainly jarrah and marri trees.
A 12-year trial is currently underway in the Wungong
Catchment to observe how removing certain types of trees
affects streamfl ows and biodiversity in the forest. This tree
removal process is known as forest or catchment thinning.
The Water Corporation has partnered with environmental
agencies, universities and research institutions to implement
an extensive research and monitoring program. The trial will
be assessed regularly to incorporate adaptive management
responses.
An extension to include other forested catchments would
be considered only if the community and Government are
comfortable with the fi ndings.
If similar forest management is applied to other metropolitan
catchments in the high rainfall zone there is a potential
to yield an additional 25 gigalitres of water per year by
2030, based on current rainfall. Catchment management is
dependent on rainfall.
Cloud seeding
Cloud seeding attempts to artifi cially generate rain by
implanting clouds with particles such as silver iodide crystals.
This is usually carried out by sprinkling the particles from
above by plane, which is fi tted with silver iodide burners
mounted under each wing. Using weather forecasting
techniques, suitable clouds are identifi ed based on the
location of the target area and the prevailing winds.
A seeded cloud will take 30 minutes to precipitate and
seeding areas are chosen upwind of the target. Clouds
moving over Perth could be seeded which would cause them
to release rain over the catchment areas thereby increasing
streamfl ow to the dams.
In 2007, the Water Corporation commissioned the Bureau
of Meteorology to undertake a study into the effectiveness
of cloud seeding in Perth. The study concluded that cloud
seeding should not be seen as a short-term response to
drought but rather as a longer-term water management
tool. It recommended further fi eld-testing and evaluation.
Further trials over a number of years would need to be
undertaken by the State Government to consider impacts on
other sectors including agriculture and the environment.
The Water Corporation is not currently considering cloud
seeding as a future source option.
MEETING GROWING DEMAND FOR WASTEWATER SERVICES
Our wastewater systems are built and upgraded to treat large
volumes of wastewater well into the future. In most cases, our
wastewater treatments systems won’t reach their capacity until
more than 100 years after the original date of commissioning.
That’s why thinking 50 years ahead is so important to the
Water Corporation and our customers.
Wastewater systems are constructed in stages as capacity is
progressively increased with growth in fl ows. This has many
advantages including:
• deferral of capital funding;
• less impact on adjacent land uses early in plant
development;
• lower operating costs;
59
• integration of technological advances over the life of a
plant; and
• progressive addition of recycled water facilities as
demand arises.
For example, the Woodman Point Wastewater Treatment
Plant was originally commissioned in 1966, which included
one treatment plant and an ocean outlet. In 1984, a new
larger 45 gigalitre a year primary treatment plant was
added and a new outlet into the open waters of the Sepia
Depression was installed. In 2002, further investment
resulted in the commissioning of more advanced secondary
treatment which helped to facilitate water recycling to the
Kwinana Industrial Area and reduced the level of nutrients
being discharged into the ocean.
Similarly, both Subiaco and Beenyup plants have been
upgraded to enable more wastewater to be treated and to
improve odour management.
Decisions to increase system capacity and levels of treatment
in the Perth and Mandurah wastewater systems are
considered in two parts:
• works already scheduled to upgrade the systems; and
• further works required to accommodate additional fl ows
forecast to 2060.
Scheduled wastewater upgrades
As noted earlier, the current fl ows and plant capacity of
existing wastewater treatment plants in Perth and Mandurah
are nearly matched which signifi es that treatment plant
upgrades are required.
In addition, new wastewater treatment plants will
be constructed at Alkimos and East Rockingham to
accommodate growth in the North West coastal and
Southern corridors of Perth. These plants are at advanced
stages of planning. Alkimos is due to be commissioned in
2011 and East Rockingham by 2015.
Major capital works of over $2 billion are scheduled for
delivery over the next 10 years to increase the capacity of
the existing wastewater systems and to build the two new
treatment plants.
The new scheme at Alkimos will incorporate gravity to
transport the wastewater to the treatment plant in the long
term. In the short to medium term, pumping stations and
pressure mains will move the wastewater. The ocean outlet
will initially have capacity to take up to half the long-term
volumes of wastewater when water-recycling opportunities
are not available.
The Beenyup, Subiaco and Woodman Point wastewater
treatment plants are scheduled to have increased capacity
and more investment in odour reductions.
The new plant for East Rockingham is designed for the same
medium and long term sewer confi guration as Alkimos. The
plant will progressively duplicate the existing ocean outlet
from East Rockingham to Point Peron.
New works required to meet long term fl ow forecasts
There will be a further need to increase wastewater system
capacity to service projected fl ows after 2030.
One of the most important factors is to understand where
future development will occur so that we can plan for future
upgrades to our wastewater systems.
Based on Western Australian Planning Commission
population projections and distribution, we are planning for
signifi cant increased housing density near Perth. This means
that the existing wastewater systems at Subiaco, Beenyup
and Woodman Point may require even further expansion.
There is also further growth forecast in the Northern
and Southern land development corridors. As a result,
the planned Alkimos and East Rockingham systems will
eventually need to be expanded beyond their initial capacity.
POTENTIAL WATER FROM OTHER OPTIONS
Source option Cost Supply by 2030 Supply by 2060 Rainfall
dependence
Energy usage
Catchment management Less than $1 a
kilolitre
25 gigalitres
a year
Not known High Low
Cloud seeding Not costed Not known Not known High Low
60
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
Expanding existing treatment plants in built up areas or
building new wastewater treatment plants can be very
diffi cult. We have encountered substantial obstacles in
securing land for new treatment plants due to pressure to
develop land for residences. This has been our experience
even when the land for treatment plants has been secured
several decades before the plant is required.
Planning to consider wastewater expansion after 2020 is
currently being undertaken.
Consolidating wastewater treatment plant capacity
The consolidation of wastewater systems can improve overall
effi ciency and operations. It can also lead to alternative land
uses in areas adjacent to decommissioned plants.
Opportunities to recycle water can still be accessed through
sewer mining or transport of recycled water to demand centres.
The existing Yanchep and Two Rocks wastewater treatment
plants are currently serving the proposed Alkimos
wastewater system. It is proposed that these plants be
decommissioned on completion of the Alkimos plant.
The Point Peron and Kwinana plants are currently serving the
proposed East Rockingham wastewater system. The Kwinana
plant is expected to be retained due to opportunities to
recycle to the Kwinana Industrial Area, while the Point
Peron plant is expected to be decommissioned when East
Rockingham is fully operational.
Review of Mandurah wastewater treatment plants
There are four wastewater treatment schemes in the
Mandurah vicinity:
• Gordon Road;
• Caddadup;
• Halls Head; and
• Pinjarra.
The fi rst three currently discharge treated wastewater to
groundwater where it is available for recycling, mainly
for irrigating public open space. All wastewater from the
Pinjarra plant is recycled for industrial use.
These plants are all nearing their capacity. In addition, the
Mandurah area is growing rapidly and signifi cant increases in
wastewater fl ows are forecast. There are several options that
are being considered to manage growth in Mandurah to 2060:
• continue to expand existing plants;
• consolidate all 4 plants onto a new treatment plant site;
or
• a combination of the above with some expansion of
existing plants and some consolidation to a new plant.
Planning, including the identifi cation and evaluation of options,
is underway for all Mandurah wastewater treatment plants.
61
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSIONS AND NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS TO BE BUILT BY 2020
Schemes
(north to south)
Current
capacity
Current
fl ows
Capacity by
2020
Timing Nature of works
Gigalitres a year
Two Rocks 0.03 0.02 0 2012 Decommission after
Alkimos WWTP is built
Yanchep 0.2 0.1 0 2012 Decommission after
Alkimos WWTP is built
Alkimos 0 0 7 2008-2011 New plant
Bullsbrook 0.13 0.07 0.13 No works
Beenyup 43 43 55 2008-2013 Expand plant capacity
Odour reduction
Subiaco 22 22 27 2013-2017 Expand plant capacity
Mundaring 0.04 0.04 0.09 2010-2012 Expand plant capacity
Woodman Point 44 44 66 2008-2017 Expand plant capacity
Odour reduction
East Rockingham 0 0 15 2011-2015 New plant
Kwinana 1.5 1.2 4.4 2008-2010 Expand plant capacity
Point Peron 7.3 5.4 0 Decommission after East
Rockingham WWTP is built
Gordon Rd (Mandurah) 2.9 2.4 4.4 2008-2009 Expand plant capacity
Sludge dewatering works
Halls Head 1.1 1.0 2.1 2008 Expand plant capacity
Caddadup 0.4 0.4 0.7 2008 Expand plant capacity
Increase level of treatment
Pinjarra 0.6 0.3 0.6 No works
Total fl ows 123 120 182
Forecast fl ows at 2020 155
Forecast fl ows at 2030 179
Forecast fl ows at 2060 237
62
TOWARDS
IMPLEMENTATION
It is anticipated that a Water Forever Directions paper will be
released in late 2008. This document will propose how water
services could be delivered for the next 50 years in response
to community feedback received on this Options Paper.
The community will be provided with the opportunity to
comment on the draft plan, Water Forever Directions, for a
minimum of 10 weeks.
REGULATORY APPROVALS
The Water Corporation is required to seek a range of
approvals from Government to conduct our business. These
are outlined in the table below.
The Water Corporation has engaged with these stakeholders
from the beginning of Water Forever.
Water Forever Directions will outline key milestones to seek
the formal approvals required to implement the plan.
SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT
As outlined, the Water Corporation applies sustainability
criteria as part of our business operations. This means that
we evaluate all future options by undertaking a thorough
consideration of social, environmental and economic
matters.
The information sheets developed to support this Options
Paper include a table where sustainability issues have been
identifi ed. In some instances, the impacts of an option are
positive or benefi cial while other impacts are negative or
require mitigation.
The Water Forever Directions paper will outline our proposed
approach to ensure that the fi nal Water Forever plan
supports a sustainable water future for all.
ENERGY REQUIREMENTS
Historically, the Water Corporation and customers have
benefi ted from relatively low energy solutions. The use of
surface water and groundwater sources and gravity to move
water and wastewater around the system has helped reduce
our energy footprint.
Nonetheless, the Water Corporation is a signifi cant energy
user. The Conserve section of this paper highlights existing
energy use and strategies to reduce our greenhouse gas
emissions and demand.
GOVERNMENT AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES
Agency Responsibility
Department of Environment and Conservation Conservation reserves
Biodiversity
Wetlands and waterways
Wastewater discharges
Department of Health Public health
Compliance with drinking water quality guidelines
Department of Water Water resource and industry policy
Water resource management, investigation, monitoring
Water allocation
Water use effi ciency and recycling
Customer dispute resolution
Economic Regulation Authority Inquiries into water pricing and performance
Operating licence and customer charter
Environmental Protection Authority Environmental assessment and protection
Western Australian Planning Commission Land use planning and land development matters
64
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 65
Water services delivery in the future is expected to be much
more energy intensive. This is due to a number of factors:
• increasing reliance on desalination, an energy intensive
source;
• increasing levels of wastewater treatment, to support
more recycling;
• longer distances to transport water and wastewater; and
• the need for more pumping due to increased volumes of
water and wastewater.
Current energy policy and direction is highly uncertain at
global, National and State levels due to the rapid impact
of climate change and the search for new technologies,
sources, market and regulatory mechanisms. Planning
for energy impacts for the Water Corporation and our
customers is very challenging as a result.
Noting these limitations, Water Forever will estimate the
increased energy demands expected to support water
service delivery in the fi rst planning horizon, to 2020. It will
also propose strategies to manage demand and emissions
through this period.
PRICING IMPACTS
In Australia, the aim is for water prices to be cost refl ective.
This helps to ensure ongoing investment in water services
and send price signals to users that may infl uence demand.
Pricing for water services in Western Australia follows this
principle. Prices for wastewater and drainage services are
based on the improved value of land, seeking to ensure
these services remain affordable.
The Government of Western Australia sets prices in Cabinet,
generally with advice from the Economic Regulation
Authority and the Department of Water.
Concessions are provided to seniors and pensioners to
help maintain the affordability of these essential services.
Recognising the higher per capita cost of services in regional
areas, the Government also provides subsidies for water
services in country towns, including Mandurah.
Currently, the combined price of water and wastewater
services to Perth is comparable with other states.
As in other parts of Australia however, there is an
expectation that signifi cant investment in water services
will be required through to 2060 to meet the needs of our
growing city. It is likely that prices will rise as a result.
There are some factors that are expected to favourably
infl uence these prices (keep them low):
• densely populated urban areas benefi t from economies
of scale;
• technological innovations may reduce capital and
operating costs; and
• for the next 10 years, Perth will benefi t from a well
maintained, relatively young infrastructure base.
However, other factors are expected to push water prices
up. These include:
• price increases required to fund investment to date;
• an increasing reliance on technology to source and treat
water that is more expensive than traditional sources and
wastewater treatment options;
• a continued and increasing competition for key resources
including land, contractors, raw materials and
appropriate energy sources;
• a growing need to maintain ageing infrastructure,
particularly after 2020; and
• increasing regulatory standards.
Water Forever will outline the estimated impact on costs
for water, wastewater and drainage for the fi rst 10-year
investment horizon to 2020.
Consideration will be given to how tariffs could be
structured to minimise price shocks and maximise
affordability, while noting that the State Government makes
the fi nal decision in this regard.
Price impacts for future years can be estimated as greater
certainty over the actual timing and nature of the investment
program is known. This can be monitored and reported on,
after the release of the fi nal plan.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION
Competition plays an important role in the delivery of water
services in Western Australia. Customers obtain the benefi ts
of the Water Corporation’s effi ciency in obtaining water on
their behalf.
The Water Corporation has successfully worked with the
private sector since our inception. Today, the private sector
directly provides over 90% of the Water Corporation’s
capital projects and 50% of our operating programs through
processes that involve competitive selection.
Along the way, there have been many innovations to
improve competitive procurement processes. These are
achieved by balancing the need to maintain competitive
tenders, attracting participation, reducing the cost of
tendering and continuous learning from project to project.
Currently, the Water Corporation is seeking to establish new
ways to work with the private sector. These could include
the private sector owning new water and wastewater assets.
It is generally accepted that the ownership of network assets
(trunk mains and distribution pipes) is a natural monopoly
and will continue to be owned by the Water Corporation.
However new water sources, wastewater treatment and
disposal assets could be owned by the private sector.
Water Forever will identify future assets expected to be best
suited to private ownership and other ways for the sector to
become more involved in water service delivery in Western
Australia.
In the meantime, private interests are invited to suggest
further options for long term planning that will help us to
secure our water future.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Advances in technology have contributed to the continuing
development of the urban water industry and are now
making climate independent sources like desalination and
recycled water more cost effective. More specifi cally it’s the
technological processes like micro and ultra fi ltration and
reverse osmosis, coupled with membrane improvements, which
have reduced the costs of these technologies in recent years.
According to CSIRO’s ‘Unchartered Waters’ report, key
drivers for innovation in urban water management include
reducing stormwater pollutant impacts and the recycling of
wastewater. Added to this is the need for better monitoring
and control technologies.
Water Forever will seek to identify major areas for investment
in research and knowledge. These can form the basis for
further partnerships with academic and scientifi c organisations.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
The Water Corporation actively supports community
education through our Waterwise programs for schools,
businesses, irrigators, garden centres and plumbers.
Over 300 schools are engaged in the Waterwise Schools
Program, which integrates a broad range of concepts to
support sustainable water services into the curriculum. This
program supports education from kindergarten to Year 12.
Water Forever will outline proposed community education
activities as part of the implementation process. At this time,
we are developing a number of strategic partnerships to
allow us to work with the community to raise awareness of
water matters.
66
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE 67
WAYS TO HAVE YOUR SAY
ON WATER FOREVER
Water Forever is the Water Corporation’s 50 year plan to
deliver water services to Perth and surrounding areas.
There are a number of ways you can have your say on our
50 year plan.
1. Visit www.watercorporation.com.au/waterforever to
register and fi ll out the online feedback form.
2. Write to us at:
Water Forever
Water Corporation
Locked Bag 2
Osborne Park Delivery Centre
WA 6916.
Public submissions close on 30 June 2008.
68
INFORMATION SHEETS
Alkimos Wastewater Treatment Plant
Alternative Water Supplies
Beenyup Wastewater Treatment Plant
Brunswick Dam
Catchment Management
Cloud Seeding
East Rockingham Wastewater Treatment Plant
Esperance Kalgoorlie Desalination
Garden Bores
Gingin Groundwater
Gnangara Groundwater
Greywater Reuse And Recycling
Groundwater Salinity In Rural Towns
Groundwater Schemes – An Overview
Integrated Resource Planning
Integrated Urban Water Management
Jandakot Groundwater
Karnup & Dandalup Groundwater
Mandurah Wastewater Treatment Plants
Mundaring Weir
North Dandalup Dam
North West Coastal Groundwater
Ocean Discharge Of Treated Wastewater
Permanent Water Effi ciency Measures
Rainwater Tanks
Recycling – Agriculture
Recycling - Groundwater Replenishment
Recycling – Industry
Recycling – Public Open Space
Seawater Desalination
Serpentine Dam
South Dandalup Dam
Stormwater Recycling
Subiaco Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Water Grid
Wastewater Odours
Water Effi ciency
Water From The North
Water Restrictions
Water Trading
Waterwise Businesses
Waterwise Homes Gardens Communities
Waterwise Schools
Wellington Dam
Woodman Pt Wastewater Treatment Plant
These information sheets can be downloaded from
www.watercorporation.com.au/waterforever.
Disclaimer
The Water Corporation is committed to quality service to
customers, including the provision of reliable data in this
document. This Options Paper is designed to promote
discussion on a range of water futures. It does not represent
the policy of the Water Corporation or the Government of
Western Australia. Changes in circumstances after publication
may impact the quality of information.
Data contained in this publication is current as at the date of
publication.
Copies are available by phoning 13 10 39 or visiting
www.watercorporation.com.au/waterforever
OPTIONS FOR OUR WATER FUTURE
The text for this document is printed on 100% recycled
paper, manufactured to ISO14001 environmental standards.
The paper is Australian made and produced from 100%
recycled fi bre, helping to redirect waste from landfi ll sites
around Australia. The inks used to print this report are
vegetable based.
© Water Corporation
ISBN 174 043 456 0
This information is available in alternative formats on request.