Environment
Compliance and
Performance Report
2018-19
Environmental Management System
Environmental Indicators Report
Environment Compliance and Performance Report 2018-19 | SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 1
Introduction Under our Operating Licence 2015–2020, Sydney Water must prepare, for each financial year, a
compliance and performance report on our Environmental Management System (EMS) and our
performance against a set of regulatory environmental indicators.
We must provide this report to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) by
1 October each year. The report is also made available on sydneywater.com.au.
Sydney Water has incorporated a statement on the implementation of its special objectives, in Part
A of this report, as required by the Sydney Water Act 1994 (the Act). The Act requires Sydney
Water to publish its statement as part of its annual report on its environmental indicators.
Reporting requirements are listed below and addressed in the relevant parts of the report.
Operating Licence 2015-20
Reporting manual requirements (IPART, 2018)
Environment compliance and
performance report section
Sydney Water’s statement on the implementation of its
special objectives, as required by the Sydney Water Act 1994
Part A
Statement on the implementation of
our special objectives
• A summary of the objectives and targets of the EMS.
• The environmental management activities and programs
completed by Sydney Water in the financial year to meet
the objectives and targets of the EMS.
• The results and outcomes from those activities and
programs.
Part B
Delivering our environment plan
2018–19
A report on Sydney Water’s performance against the
environmental indicators set out in Appendix D of the
Reporting Manual and National Water Initiative performance
reporting indicators for the environment.
Part C
Environmental indicators report
2018–19
Any non-conformances with the EMS and the actions taken
to resolve those non-conformances.
Part D
EMS Non-conformances
Any proposed significant changes to the EMS. Part E
EMS Proposed significant changes
The environmental management activities and programs
proposed to be undertaken by Sydney Water to meet the
objectives and targets of the EMS in the future, including the
timetable for completion.
Part F
Environment Plan 2019–20
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Part A
Statement on the implementation of
our special objectives Our business is underpinned by the three principal objectives outlined in the Sydney Water Act
1994 (the Act):
1. To be a successful business.
2. To protect the environment by conducting its operations in compliance with the principles of
ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
3. To protect public health by supplying safe drinking water to its customers and other
members of the public in compliance with the requirements of any operating licence.
These objectives enable us to achieve a sustainable future by balancing social, economic and
environmental considerations.
In addition to this, Section 22 of the Act states that in implementing the principal objectives, we
have the following special objectives:
1. To reduce risks to human health.
2. Prevent degradation of the environment.
These objectives are to be interpreted and implemented by reference to the means specified in
Section 22 of the Act and Section 6 of the Protection of the Environment Administrations Act 1991,
so far as they are relevant to our business.
This statement on the special objectives has been prepared to meet the requirements of Section
22 (6) of the Act. It is intended to serve as a summary and demonstrate how we addressed the
means identified in the Act between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019. It should be read in
conjunction with other publicly available reports published on our website.
1.1 Implementing the special objectives
Sydney Water integrates environmental and public health management into its business decision-
making and operational activities. The special objectives are implemented within a total business
context, rather than as separate considerations. This approach ensures that balancing social,
economic, public health and environmental considerations is part of the usual way we provide
services.
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We have established a number of management systems, plans and frameworks to support our
business operations and ensure we continue to address the special objectives. These include our:
• ISO14001 certified Environmental Management system, which provides a systematic, planned
approach to managing environmental risks
• Environmental Policy, which outlines our commitment to environmental protection using
principles of ESD and sets the framework for continual improvement in our environmental
performance
• Environment Strategy and Plan, which provides clear objectives, targets and actions to enable
us to protect the environment while we address the challenges of our growing cities
• Drinking Water Management System, aligned to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
2011, which describes the methods we use to ensure the quality and quantity of drinking water
we supply to our customers
• Recycled Water Management System, aligned to the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling
2006, which describes the methods we use to ensure we supply high quality recycled water to
our customers and minimise risks to human health.
• Quality Management System, certified to the ISO9001 standard, enables us to continually
monitor and measure how we are performing so we can improve and be more effective.
1.2 Reporting against our Special objectives
To meet our special objectives and support our Environmental Policy, we have summarised and
aligned our special objectives to the following four broad environmental objectives in our
Environment Strategy:
1. We’ll contribute to healthy waterways and clean beaches in delivering our services to
safeguard ecosystems that our communities can continue to enjoy.
2. We’ll increase our resilience to a changing climate, connect with customers and use water
in the landscape to shape liveable places.
3. We’ll protect and restore valuable biodiversity and share the natural spaces, land and
heritage in our care with the community.
4. We’ll use our resources wisely, work with customers to save water and increase our
recovery of energy towards net-zero emissions.
Part B of this report, Delivering Our Environment Plan 2018–19, provides a summary of our
performance in implementing our special objectives. To provide a year-to-year comparison of
performance, we also report against a set of environmental performance indicators (Part C) as
listed in our Operating Licence Reporting Manual regulated by the Independent Pricing and
Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Sydney Water’s environmental performance has been impacted in recent years by factors
including drought, population growth and urbanisation, which have increased pressure on the
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infrastructure servicing the city. At the same time our assets are ageing, contributing to additional
challenges for achieving environmental standards. Last year we operated outside of the
performance standard limits related to water continuity and dry weather overflows to waterways,
with an increased number of sewer main breaks and chokes (blockages). We are committed to
improving our performance through a comprehensive Environmental Performance Improvement
Program, including optimising our maintenance programs and resourcing to improve asset
reliability and performance.
Table 1 below lists the special objectives means specified in the Section 22 of the Sydney Water
Act 1994 and Section 6 of the Protection of the Environment Administrations Act 1991. It also
references the sections of the Delivering Our Environment Plan 2018–19 report that address the
means listed in the two Acts.
In addition to this report, we publish several comprehensive performance reports on our website
that demonstrate our implementation of, and performance against, the special objectives. Please
refer to the following documents available at sydneywater.com.au for more information.
• Sydney Water Annual Report – provides a summary of Sydney Water’s overall performance.
• Water Conservation Report: outlines how we are meeting our water conservation requirements
and contributing to water efficiency, leak management and water recycling initiatives.
• Sewage Treatment System Impact Monitoring Program (STSIMP) Report: a summary of
wastewater discharge quality, quantity and loads data for key pollutants relating to regulatory
limits. This report also contains inland and ocean receiving water quality, wastewater overflows
and recycled water data.
Table 1 – Reporting against Special Objectives requirements
Sydney Water Act 1994 means1 POEA Act 1991 means1 Delivering our environment plan
Report 2018–192
Reducing the environmental impact of its discharges into or onto the air, water or land of substances likely to cause harm to the environment.
Adopting the principle of reducing to harmless levels the discharge into air, water or land of substances likely to cause harm to the environment Setting mandatory targets for environmental improvement Promoting pollution prevention
1. Healthy waterways and clean beaches
Contribute to healthy waterways and clean beaches in delivering our services to safeguard ecosystems that our communities can continue to enjoy
4. Efficient and sustainable resource use Use our resources wisely, work with customers to save water and increase our recovery of energy towards net-zero emissions.
Re-using and recovering energy, water and other materials and substances, used or discharged by it, by the use of appropriate technology, practices and procedures Reducing its use of energy, water and other materials and substances
Encouraging the reduction of the use of materials, encouraging the re-use and recycling of materials and encouraging material recovery
4. Efficient and sustainable resource use Use our resources wisely, work with customers to save water and increase our recovery of energy towards net-zero emissions.
1 Only the means relevant to Sydney Water’s activities are listed 2 Numbers in bold refer to chapters in Part B report
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Sydney Water Act 1994 means1 POEA Act 1991 means1 Delivering our environment plan
Report 2018–192
Minimising its creation of waste by the use of appropriate technology, practices and procedures
Minimising the creation of waste by the use of appropriate technology Regulating the transportation, collection, treatment, storage, and disposal of waste
4. Efficient and sustainable resource use
Use our resources wisely, work with customers to save water and increase our recovery of energy towards net-zero emissions.
3. Care for nature, land and heritage Protect and restore valuable biodiversity and share the natural spaces, land and heritage in our care with the community.
Promoting community involvement in decisions about environmental matters Conducting public education and awareness programs about matters. Ensuring the community has access to relevant information about hazardous substances arising from, or stored, used or sold by, any industry or public authority
2. Create resilient and liveable places Increase our resilience to a changing climate, connect with customers and use water in the landscape to shape liveable places.
1.3 Review of the Special Objectives Statement by the NSW Environment Protection Authority
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) reviews Sydney Water’s statement on the
implementation of the Special Objectives each year (in accordance with section 22(7) of the Act)
and provides feedback on whether it considers that Sydney Water has achieved the best
environmental outcome in carrying out its operational activities.
The EPA’s feedback on our 2017-18 special objectives statement, commended Sydney Water for
taking a broad view of environmental protection and noted that our approach to waste
minimisation, energy efficiency and the trialling of new technologies is sound. The EPA also
commended Sydney Water for works undertaken to reduce the impacts of litter from the
stormwater system and from wipes in the wastewater system.
However, while the EPA noted progress to address the management and reporting of wet weather
overflows, it expressed concern about an increase in the frequency of dry weather overflows and
our response to these incidents. The EPA raised two main concerns:
1. The need for quantitative indicators that demonstrate the impact of our discharges on the
environment.
2. Performance issues related to effluent discharged from wastewater treatment plants and
the wastewater reticulation system.
We are working to improve our reporting by including appropriate quantitative data and trends into
future iterations of our special objectives statement. We have also committed to improving the
management of our wastewater assets and response to wastewater overflow incidents through
implementing a comprehensive Environmental Performance Improvement Program.
Part B
Delivering our
Environment Plan 2018-19
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Table of contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3
1 Healthy waterways and clean beaches .................................................................................. 4
1.1 Progress on Environment Plan actions ............................................................................................ 4
1.2 Key performance indicators ............................................................................................................... 8
2 Create resilient and liveable places ....................................................................................... 9
2.1 Progress on Environment Plan actions ............................................................................................ 9
3 Care for nature, land and heritage ....................................................................................... 14
3.1 Progress on Environment Plan actions .......................................................................................... 14
3.2 Key performance indicators ............................................................................................................. 17
4 Efficient and sustainable resource use ............................................................................... 18
4.1 Progress on Environment Plan actions .......................................................................................... 18
4.2 Key performance indicators ............................................................................................................. 23
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Introduction Sydney Water is committed to protecting the environment and each year we document new
actions and how we plan to do this better in our Environment Plan. In Delivering our Environment
Plan 2018–19, we are reporting on our progress in implementing these actions during the last
financial year.
Sydney Water has been delivering against an environment plan for over 20 years. We update our
Environment Plan every year to remain resilient against emerging environmental risks and to
ensure that it reflects our business focus. The plan addresses recent challenges and identifies
actions to be undertaken to improve our environmental performance.
The plan aligns to our Environment Strategy. Our strategic approach enables us to anticipate and
respond to the environmental expectations of our customers and prepare for environmental
challenges in the future. Each year, we plan our actions to work towards our environmental
objectives, aiming to meet set targets and priority outcomes. Once we complete new initiatives, we
consider them to be part of business as usual and remove them from our next environment plan.
This document should be read in conjunction with our Environmental Indicators Report (Part C
within the Environment Compliance and Performance Report 2018–19), which provides additional
environmental performance information and compares key environmental indicators, selected by
the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) and the National Water Initiative (NWI),
on a year-to-year basis.
We update our environment plan every year to consider emerging environmental risks, our
business focus and stakeholder feedback. Our revised environment plan aligns with our 2015–
2020 corporate strategy of putting the customer at the heart of everything we do. We have
identified ongoing and new actions to continually improve our environmental performance.
Our Environment Plan 2019–20 outlines the next steps in our journey, and is available separately
on our website.
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1 Healthy waterways and clean
beaches
Objective: We’ll contribute to healthy waterways and clean beaches in delivering our services to safeguard ecosystems that our communities can continue to enjoy
1.1 Progress on Environment Plan actions
2018-19 action Progress
Target 1: Contribute to developing a new framework for licensing of nutrients to maintain and
protect the health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system.
Support the Environment Protection
Authority (EPA) in developing a new
regulatory framework for nutrient
management in the Hawkesbury-
Nepean River System. Continue
investigating a suite of measures
including nutrient offsets to protect the
river.
Support the EPA in the development
of the operational protocol for nutrient
offsets in the Hawkesbury-Nepean
River system.
Work with IPART to determine an
appropriate approach for the
regulatory treatment of expenditure on
various forms of nutrient offset
projects.
Sydney Water continues to work with the EPA to finalise and
trial the new framework for nutrient management in the
Hawkesbury-Nepean River System. Nutrient load caps were
provided to inform the new framework and we are progressing
four pilot projects to inform how nutrient offsets can be used to
mitigate the impacts of nutrient discharges from sewage
treatment plants in the Hawkesbury Nepean catchment.
Sydney Water is continuing to work with the EPA to develop a
nutrient offset protocol and the methodology for incorporating
the outcomes of offset projects into the conditions of
Environmental Protection Licenses.
Sydney Water's Price Proposal 2020-24 submitted to IPART
includes pricing principles to guide IPART's treatment of
Hawkesbury-Nepean nutrient offset costs. We are also working
with IPART and the EPA to shape the scheme and the
recovery of the costs.
Target 2: Establish a new framework to plan, deliver and evaluate water sensitive urban design
projects in collaboration with local government and catchment groups.
Build our capability to plan and deliver
integrated water cycle management
and water-sensitive urban design
solutions that our communities’ value.
Progress waterway health
improvement projects, consistent with
the Waterway Improvement Strategy.
We have developed a draft guideline on integrated water cycle
management (IWM) that incorporates lessons learnt, tools and
case studies. Sub-regional and precinct planning projects such
as the south-western Sydney growth area, Greater Parramatta
to Olympic Peninsula, Metro North-West, Wilton and Sydney
Science Park have applied the IWM approach, assessing the
benefits realisation from water-sensitive urban design options.
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2018-19 action Progress
The waterway health improvement plans for Cooks, Georges
and Parramatta Rivers were completed. These plans form the
basis for candidate projects for the Waterways Health
Improvement Program. We have commenced our
first stormwater system plans at Marrickville (including Mackey
Park) and Rouse Hill. These plans are scheduled to be
completed in 2020.
Target 3: See our work contribute to over 90% of coastal and estuarine beaches classified as
having ‘very good’ or ‘good’ recreational water quality (as measured by Beachwatch).
Assess the following six catchment
areas to verify the risk of wet weather
overflow impacts to the environment
and community and identify works to
reduce risk:
• Lane Cove River
• Upper Parramatta River
• Mid-Parramatta River
• Prospect Creek
• Lower Middle Harbour
• Mosman Peninsula
In 2017-18, Beachwatch reported 92% of beaches in our area
of operations have 'very good' or 'good' suitability for
swimming. The NSW Government, State of the beaches 2018-
2019 report is yet to be released.
Sydney Water has developed a works program to reduce the
risk of impacts from wet weather overflows to the environment.
Assessment reports for the following areas have been
submitted to the EPA:
• Prospect Creek
• Upper Parramatta River
• Mid Parramatta River
• Lane Cove River
• Foreshore Beach
Design work is complete for Upper Parramatta River
improvements and delivery will commence in August 2019 and
be complete by mid-2020. The Mid-Parramatta River and Lane
Cove River design work is currently in progress.
Sydney Water has provided technical support to Randwick
Council to improve the quality of stormwater runoff to Coogee
Beach. This is expected to increase the proportion of years this
beach has "Good" suitability for swimming.
The occurrence of wet weather overflows to Rose Bay Beach is
being reduced to assist in improving the suitability for
swimming at this beach to "Good".
Target 4: Develop and share our capability in innovation monitoring and modelling to protect
aquatic environment and public health outcomes for major Sydney waterways.
Continue to develop online and
analytic monitoring of water and
Sydney Water is installing sensors across our water and
wastewater systems to enable greater proactive monitoring.
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2018-19 action Progress
wastewater systems to enable
proactive management of our
networks to reduce impacts to our
customers.
Continue scientific pilot studies to
inform a new monitoring approach for
wet weather overflows. Pilot studies
are required to obtain statistically valid
data to determine the sensitivity of
proposed methodologies.
Work has commenced on the top two priority cases, Digital
Metering and Dry Weather Overflow (DWO) detection. Bangor
and North Epping catchments have been identified as highest
priority for DWO detection.
In 2018, we completed Stage 1 pilot studies into eDNA,
passive samplers and trash nets. Stage 2 of the monitoring
program has been mobilised and samples commenced
collection based on the successful technology and method
outcomes of the Stage 1 pilot studies. The initial success of the
public health pilot study collaboration with CSIRO has led to
the expansion of the program to develop a much wider
understanding of microbial source tracking techniques which
may be applicable to other Sydney Water activities.
Target 5: Continue to work towards 100% of wastewater volume treated that is compliant with our
environment protection licences.
Develop and apply a planning
framework to inform the capital works
optimisation process, including an
assessment of lifecycle costs,
environmental factors and wider
economic values and benefits.
Implement a tertiary nitrogen removal
process unit and wetland treatment
pilot project at Picton Water Recycling
Plant (WRP).
In 2018-19, 95% of wastewater volume treated was compliant
compared to 98% in 2017-18 and 99% in 2016-17. We
acknowledge our wastewater discharge performance has
deteriorated and are investigating the cause and effect of the
non-compliances to ensure we are compliant with our EPLs. In
2018-19, the decrease was mainly due to the increase in non-
compliance with limits for oil and grease at ocean plants and
total suspended solids at Picton WRP.
In March 2019, construction of the pilot wetland at Picton WRP
was completed. As wetland plants establish, we will continue to
monitor and measure the effectiveness of the wetland as a
treatment technology. Concept design for the tertiary nitrogen
removal project is complete and following a cost-benefit
analysis of detailed design, the completion target is estimated
for December 2020.
Sydney Water’s planning portal is now operational and includes
templates and artefacts as well as planning process
documents, produced as part of the planning framework
project. We are now working towards ensuring the planning
framework aligns with our ISO55001 certified Asset
Management System.
Target 6: Enhance our prevention and response to dry weather overflows.
Introduce new approaches to
detecting, predicting and improving
In 2018-19, Sydney Water experienced 19,978 wastewater
chokes of which 428 resulted in sewage overflows to the
environment (2.1%). This compares with 18,546 wastewater
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2018-19 action Progress
prevention and response to dry
weather overflows.
chokes in 2017-18 with 353 overflows to the environment
(1.9%), and 16,556 wastewater chokes in 2016-17 with 300
overflows to the environment (2%). To improve prevention, we
partnered with CSIRO’s Data61 group to develop a model that
considers the causes of overflows to predict where they are
most likely to occur.
We commenced an Environmental Performance Improvement
Program to improve dry weather overflow performance and to
help identify where key improvements are needed to better
predict, prevent and respond.
Our maintenance strategy and choke management program
were revised to support achievement of the prevention of dry
weather overflow targets. This is where we have a rolling
inspection and assessment program, which ensures that we
are working on the most critical overflows. In addition, we are
including remote sensing on sewers in sensitive areas. The
technology provides early warning and allows maintenance
crews to remove obstructions before spills occur. This new
direction follows the highly successful prevention of 22 spills
across Liverpool by deploying 400 sensors. The first areas to
be protected are sensitive natural areas in Bangor and North
Epping.
To improve our response, we have increased our workforce,
changed our procedures and invested in new equipment to
contain overflows. Spills are now attended by a dedicated site
manager who works with our maintenance crews to implement
a site specific remediation plan. Our responses match the local
needs and are comprehensive.
Target 7: Work collaboratively to support the swimmability goals for the Parramatta River by
2025.
Collaborate with State government
and local councils to integrate
Parramatta River Masterplan
outcomes (swimmability) into our
servicing strategies.
The Parramatta River Masterplan is now complete following
public exhibition in October 2018 by the Parramatta River
Catchment Group as part of the International River symposium.
Sydney Water is now running the Parramatta River Delivery
Engine and leading the delivery of the masterplan outcomes.
Target 8: See our work contribute to increased proportion of waterways meeting community
expectations and environmental objectives1.
1 Key indicators in Sydney Water’s Sewage Treatment System Impact Monitoring Program
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2018-19 action Progress
Review and update the Sewage
Treatment System Impact Monitoring
Program (STSIMP) to better target the
impact of wastewater discharge on the
environment.
We are in the process of engaging an independent expert to
review our existing water quality monitoring program.
The intent is to improve our understanding of the impact of
Sydney Water's wastewater discharges on the environment,
taking into consideration cost and community values.
Target 9: Enhance integrated water planning by working collaboratively to deliver the WaterSmart
Cities program2.
Apply integrated water management
principles to regional water supply
planning, to identify and realise
financial, environmental and social
opportunities.
The Western Sydney Regional Master Plan is complete
including the analysis of four servicing pathways and the
related economic assessments. Work has started examining
concepts as part of the Eastern Sydney Regional Master Plan.
Key concepts include resource recovery at the ocean treatment
plants and placed based concepts such as greening and
cooling. Sub-regional planning for the Aerotropolis and South
West regions, the Greater Penrith and Eastern Creek region
and the Greater Macarthur region all commenced in 2019. We
are taking an adaptive and integrated approach to planning in
all these regions and subregions. Planning for Greater
Parramatta to Olympic Peninsula, Metro North-West and
Sydney Science Park has moved into either option
specification or concept design.
1.2 Key performance indicators
Our key performance indicators help measure our progress and assess performance each year.
The following indicators within Sydney Water’s Environmental Indicators Report 2018–19 (Part C)
are relevant to this objective.
Key performance indicators Environmental Indicators Report 2018–19 (Part C)
Wastewater treatment and system discharges Page 5
2 WaterSmart Cities program detailed in 2017 Metropolitan Water Plan, Metropolitan Water Directorate
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2 Create resilient and liveable
places
Objective: We’ll increase our resilience to a changing climate, connect with customers and use water in the landscape to shape liveable places
2.1 Progress on Environment Plan actions
2018-19 action Progress
Target 1: Assess 100% of our climate risk interdependencies with transport, power and other
services.
Partner with the NSW Office of
Environment and Heritage and other
NSW government agencies on the
Cross-Dependency Initiative (XDI) to
identify interdependency risks to
critical city infrastructure from extreme
weather events and climate change.
The Cross Dependency Initiative (XDI Sydney) addresses the
challenges of building resilience by assisting adaption of
Sydney’s broader infrastructure to future climate impacts.
Water, power, communications and transport sector asset
information have been tested for the effects of sea level rise,
flooding, bushfire, wind storms, heat waves and subsidence, up
to 100 years into the future. XDI Sydney has now delivered
State of Asset Resilience Reports to Sydney Water, Roads and
Maritime Services, Sydney Trains, Office of Environment and
Heritage and the City of Sydney. A set of high priority
collaborative adaptation locations have been identified by
processing nearly 160,000 participant assets. Where multiple
participants are exposed to the same risk there is opportunity
to collaborate on a risk mitigation solution. Currently data
sharing agreements are being prepared to enable the shared
risks to be freely discussed and to showcase
interdependencies using three case studies. Based on the
success of XDI Sydney, an agreement has been reached for a
state-wide version to be rolled out over the next two years, XDI
NSW.
Target 2: Engage with our customers to understand what they need and value, including
environmental considerations, from across our services.
Implement customer engagement
plan.
Our Customer Engagement program for 2018 was completed,
giving us customer preference and willingness to pay data on
selected environmental outcomes (including waterway health,
overflows, and wastewater ocean outfalls) which will be used to
inform our IPART submissions and strategic planning.
Engagement on these topics and broader customer
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2018-19 action Progress
preferences regarding environmental outcomes will continue in
2019-20.
Target 3: Measure increased customer satisfaction (positive environmental responses),
awareness and behavior with our customer research.
Develop a communications program to
increase community understanding of
their role in keeping Sydney’s
wastewater system healthy.
Work with industry, associations,
retailers and other stakeholders to
reduce pollutants affecting waterways
and beaches.
Run community engagement
programs supporting Sydney Water
projects focused on improving
waterway health.
Educate the community about the
environmental, health and financial
benefits of tap water.
'Clean up not down' is a new wastewater campaign which was
launched in July 2018. It was designed as an evolution of the
‘Keep wipes out of pipes’ campaign to incorporate fats, oils and
greases (FOG). We targeted key choke hotspots and suburbs
with high FOG concentration levels and used Government
owned outdoor media across rail and bus networks for eight
weeks which was supported by social media with an extended
‘what to do’ message. We continue to advocate for ‘Do not
flush’ labels on non-flushable products, such as wet wipes.
Non-flushable products continue to be a problem for our
wastewater system and the environment.
We held 16 community waste collection events across our area
of operations as part of our ‘Beat the Bottle’ Initiative. In
partnership with local councils, community collection groups
and local businesses, our events resulted in the collection of
1.06 tonnes of rubbish from our waterways and beaches, with
over 169 community members participating and direct
exposure of the event to over 11,000 people. These events
reached 698,543 through social media resulting in 66,981
positive reactions to the events and generated significant
digital, television and press coverage.
In 2018-19, the Sentiment Monitor reporting showed a positive
increase in the satisfaction with tap water. Our portable and
permanent water stations programs have provided access to
water that otherwise would not have been available when
people are out and about, dispensing 1.2 million litres of tap
water to communities across Greater Sydney. This equates to
almost 20,000kg of plastic waste saved from production and
landfill and two million standard plastic bottles saved from
purchase ($6 million). The water stations had consistent
messaging that reminded people to ‘Make tap water your drink’
as it’s ‘Better for the environment’ which were translated into 11
different languages depending on the council cultural diversity.
A further 20 water stations are scheduled for installation in the
near future pending council development projects.
Our 50 portable water stations that we loan free of charge for
community events have been used at 145 separate events in
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2018-19 action Progress
2018-19 as well as 81 days of partnered events like Easter
Show and Sculpture by the Sea with an exposure to over three
million people. These portable stations dispensed over
100,000 litres of tap water. This equates to almost 1,615kg of
plastic waste saved from production / landfill and 168,000
standard plastic bottles saved from purchase ($500,000).
Our ‘tap’ cafes continue to serve tap water to a conservative
eight million patrons over the full year. In the January to June
2019 period, community messaging continued to focus on our
water efficiency campaign (encouraging people to save and not
waste water).
Sydney Water’s formal education tours and excursions
continue to have a focus on our wastewater system in 2018-19,
with 5481 students engaged with us to understand they have a
shared responsibility in protecting the environment. Our
project-based schools initiative, ‘Brand without a bottle’, is
designed to engage students, schools, families and the wider
community to build sustainable behaviours and create a more
informed community, that contributes to improved positive
reputation and perceptions of tap water. In 2018-19 over 1,000
students spent the term studying the story of Sydney’s tap
water, uncovering the real story behind bottled water and
creating digital content that empowers youth to make more
informed drinking water choices.
Target 4: Work closely with agencies to include an integrated water management approach in the
infrastructure strategy for the South Creek corridor.
Support and influence the
Infrastructure NSW (INSW) South
Creek Corridor Sector Review.
Prepare a strategic business case for
a different approach to greenfield
urban development and water
services.
We have collaborated with INSW and other agencies during
the South Creek Corridor Sector Review. The
recommendations of the strategic options business case were
noted by the NSW Government Cabinet Infrastructure
Committee (CIC) on 13 November 2018.
Sydney Water is providing updated planning and investment
information to ensure alignment in the detailed economic
testing of recycled water investment. A review of waterway
governance and management continues, Sydney Water has
been actively working in this role to support government
planning for the Aerotropolis and demonstrate capability to
perform an expanded role for the South Creek catchment.
We are supporting the Western Sydney Planning Partnership
Office in the process of embedding South Creek Planning
Principles into planning and development controls. This
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2018-19 action Progress
includes a body of work to model the waterway health
outcomes from different levels of Water Sensitive Urban
Design, this will inform consistent development controls and
engineering standards.
Target 5: Deliver programs that manage the odour, noise and visual impacts of our operations.
Complete the strategic management
plans for Sydney Water’s odour
management strategy to proactively
address odour issues for Wollongong,
Bondi, Cronulla, Shellharbour,
Glenfield and Malabar systems.
Sydney Water continues to monitor and manage odour, noise
and visual impacts of its construction works and asset
operations. In 2018-19, there were 531 environmentally related
customer complaints, a slight reduction from 2017-18 with 541
environmentally related customer complaints.
A total of 410 odour complaints were received, with over 85%
from our network (pipes and pumping stations). Odour
complaints decreased 3% from 2017-18. Implementation of
odour management strategies for Wollongong, Bondi, Cronulla,
Shellharbour and Malabar systems progressed with concept
and detailed designs for the additional chemical dosing and
odour control units are completed. The additional units are
scheduled to be constructed and commissioned from 2021 to
2024.
Target 6: Be recognised by our stakeholders as working in partnership with them, as measured
by our annual corporate stakeholder perception audit.
Determine opportunities for Sydney
Water to support the delivery of
priorities identified in the Greater
Sydney Region and District Plans and
engage with planning authorities such
as Councils on strategic planning
decisions related to water sensitive
cities.
We have continued working with planning authorities in
planning for water services in Western Sydney and the Greater
Parramatta to Olympic Peninsula (GPOP) as well as the South
Creek Corridor Sector Review. We aim to ensure that planning
and investment in water management, and communication
about urban water issues, supports the Region Plan and
District Plans. We are working collaboratively with the Greater
Sydney Commission on our jointly agreed Water in Western
Sydney Workplan during 2018-19. We began actively working
with Western City Councils in the Planning Partnership on
matters such as stormwater during 2019.
Target 7: Be a benchmark leader for climate readiness and service continuity to contribute to our
communities being more resilient to a changing climate3.
Continue to implement the Climate
Change Adaptation Implementation
Plan including incorporating outcomes
Sydney Water's Climate Change Adaptation Implementation
Plan was approved in 2018 with actions being rolled out over
the next two years to embed adaptation planning into key
3 Objective identified in NSW Climate Change Policy Framework, 2016, Office of Environment and Heritage
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from the AdaptWaterTM tool to embed
climate change preparedness within
Sydney Water.
business processes. The Implementation Plan consolidates all
adaptation initiatives across the organisation under one single
framework. We are prioritising opportunities to integrate climate
change adaptation responses including the use of the
AdaptWaterTM Tool into planning and embedding adaptation
considerations in design, operations and maintenance of
current assets and asset life cycle processes.
Target 8: Deliver servicing strategies that support the Green Grid4 priority opportunities and
future connections. Deliver programs that provide multiple benefits from flood planning and
management.
Investigate alternative supply of water
and wastewater services in the
Greater Parramatta to Olympic
Peninsula (GPOP) area.
In 2018-19, alternative water and wastewater supply pathways
were identified for the GPOP area and communicated with the
Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) and INSW to include in
their Strategic Business Case (SBC).
The adaptive plan will support the GSC’s vision for GPOP area
for greening and cooling through maximising the water
recycling opportunities.
4 Green Grid for Greater Sydney in the draft Greater Sydney Region Plan and District Plans, 2017, Greater Sydney Commission
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3 Care for nature, land and
heritage
Objective: We’ll protect and restore valuable biodiversity and share the natural spaces, land and heritage in our care with the community.
3.1 Progress on Environment Plan actions
2018-19 action Progress
Target 1: Consolidate and renew our strategic plans of management for cultural heritage and
natural environments (including riparian lands and wetlands).
Routine grounds maintenance
incorporating the protection and
enhancement of environmentally
sensitive sites.
Revision of Sydney Water's Strategic
Heritage Asset Management Program
(SHAMP); prioritised projects aligned
to IPART determination periods.
We have reviewed and updated 72 property environmental
management plans (PEMP) and have linked these to our
routine scheduling of grounds maintenance work orders.
Implementation of requirements including weed control
activities are underway at 36 sites. Biobanking areas have
been identified across 12 sites with Picton WRP to be the initial
site to trial the biobanking program.
All riparian land and wetland sites have up to date plans of
operations which are being implemented by Natural Asset
Contractors. A new Botany Wetlands Plan of Management
(POM) was approved in December 2018 and actions are being
implemented through Network Programs. The Rouse Hill POM
is currently under review, with a new POM to be developed by
November 2020.
A revised version of Sydney Water’s SHAMP was approved in
September 2018 including a priority matrix for the next 3 years.
Additional condition assessments have also been determined
to assist in further program planning and prioritisation for
IPART pricing reviews.
Target 2: Implement programs to reinstate more natural conditions in highly modified waterways.
Achieve net gain in area of native vegetation restored year on year.
Progressing the naturalisation of
stormwater channels at Powells
Creek, Homebush; Johnson Creek,
Glebe; Whites Creek, Annandale;
Muddy Creek, Rockdale, St Lukes
Park, Canada Bay and Iron Cove
Creek.
Powells Creek naturalisation works was completed in 2018 and
is currently under a 24-month maintenance period with the
construction contractors before hand over to existing natural
asset contractors. Naturalisation works at Johnstons Creek
have been approved with tenders being reviewed to complete
the work over the next 12 months.
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2018-19 action Progress
Designs are progressing for Muddy Creek (95% detailed
concept design), St Lukes Park (80% detailed concept design),
Iron Cove Creek (80% detailed concept design) and Whites
Creek (flood investigations currently underway).
Target 3: Have clear outcomes and milestones for site clean-up or management established for
all declared contaminated sites on our land.
Further develop technology to capture
and access hazardous building
material information for our properties.
Undertake a Contaminated Land Risk
Ranking of our property portfolio.
Assess all potentially high-risk sites
(detailed site investigations) in FY 18-
19.
Sydney Water has completed a review of its facilities for
hazardous building material (HBM). A total of 1,865 HBM
registers have been revised where needed and uploaded to our
document management system for distribution. This program
is ongoing, in 2018-19 a total of 255 properties were inspected,
64 investigated and 25 remediated.
Contamination risk ranking for 4,042 lots was completed
through a desktop review of our property portfolio. A total of
576 lots have been ranked in the top 30% of the range. Of
these lots, 339 require site inspections and it is estimated 80
will require detailed site investigations (DSI). In 2018-19, 55
instances identified as high and very high risk have been
removed from facilities and the property portfolio.
Target 4: Have over 90% of staff complete environmental awareness training and communicate
how we care for the environment.
Roll out refreshed Environmental
Accountabilities eLearning, and further
develop our environmental
communications program.
We continue to build organisational awareness, maintaining
95% completion for core Environmental Accountabilities
eLearning. In July 2018, our refreshed Environmental
Accountabilities eLearning was released together with an
ongoing communications campaign to target staff who have not
completed the eLearning within the last three years.
Improving environmental performance is one of Sydney
Water’s key priorities. A targeted internal communications
program has been developed to engage staff on current and
emerging environmental issues.
Target 5: Increase the availability of our land for agreed community use or public open space
year on year.
Identify opportunities to develop
community assets on our land and
form land-use agreements for priority
sites with local councils, developers
and government.
We reviewed a total of 80 sites specifically for lease or licence
opportunities as ‘community use’ sites. Of these, we are now
working on 15 sites that are likely to have a high community
use value for Councils and enter into agreements to use the
sites as open space. Sydney Water is also in negotiations with
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2018-19 action Progress
Potential community assets on our
land include bike paths, greenspace,
urban gardens, bush care and public
walkways. Identify sites that may be of
value to local community.
the Office of Strategic Land to transfer three sites from Sydney
Water control for use as public recreation open space.
Target 6: Identify and where feasible, create biobanking, green offset or other opportunities to
fund green infrastructure.
Develop Sydney Water’s biodiversity
offset portfolio.
In October 2018, the Sydney Water Board approved Sydney
Water to participate in the Biodiversity Offsetting scheme as a
land holder. A portfolio of sites has been developed, with the
first initial site assessment at Picton WRP due in August 2019.
Internal stakeholder discussions are underway and further
assessments of other high value sites are identified.
Target 7: Collaborate on shared responses, as needed, to risks to land and waterways from
microplastics and emerging chemicals of concern.
Identify and prepare for contaminants
of emerging concern to protect
Sydney's waterways.
Assess and identify risks from
emerging contaminants (PFOS /
PFAS) to our sites - risks to site users.
We are collaborating with the NSW Environment Protection
Authority (EPA), NSW Health, Water Service Association of
Australia, WaterRA and other water utilities to develop a
common understanding and approach for managing the risks of
per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
During 2018-19, we formed an internal PFAS working group,
which includes subject matter experts from across the
organisation, to understand and manage the risks of PFAS to
our customers and the environment. A review of our PFAS risk
assessments was undertaken and screening level guidelines
developed. The review concluded that the likelihood for Sydney
Water’s drinking water, wastewater, recycled water or biosolids
to be affected by PFAS contamination is low. However, further
investigation is needed to understand the range of
concentrations of these chemicals that may be present. In
December 2018 we hosted a national workshop on 'Managing
PFAS in Wastewater' which included representatives from 29
utilities across Australia. This provided the opportunity to share
experiences and learnings to inform future management and
regulation.
We are collaborating with the NSW EPA and CSIRO to better
understand the type and quantity of microplastics being
released via wastewater treatment plants and the potential
effects (based on a hazard assessment of five co-occurring
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chemicals) on the marine environment. The results from this
study should be available in early 2020.
3.2 Key performance indicators
Our key performance indicators help measure our progress and assess performance each year.
The following indicators within Sydney Water’s Environmental Indicators Report 2018–19 (Part C)
are relevant to this objective.
Key performance indicators Environmental Indicators Report 2018–19 (Part C)
Flora and fauna Page 16
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4 Efficient and sustainable
resource use
Objective: We’ll use our resources wisely, work with customers to save water and increase our recovery of energy towards net-zero emissions.
4.1 Progress on Environment Plan actions
2018-19 action Progress
Target 1: Develop and implement a Water Conservation Program.
Implement Water Conservation Plan
initiatives.
Introduce new technologies to improve
leak detection in our water network.
The 2018-19 Water Conservation program focused on
engaging with our residential and non-residential customers to
drive adoption of behaviours, products and services that
enable a sustained reduction in potable water demand.
Sydney Water designed and tested initiatives including council
partnerships, rainwater tank services, school pilots and staff
engagement to better understand the opportunities and
potential water savings. We continue to deliver and expand
water efficiency initiatives, such as WaterFix, and improve
customer awareness through our community awareness
campaign. We are continuing to support leak management and
operate our recycled water schemes.
We have secured funding for research of new leakage
detection technology. Trials will include Quantum Gravity,
Optical Solar sensing and improving use of existing acoustic
technologies.
Target 2: Maintain our grid-sourced electricity demand below 1998 levels.
Develop cost-effective energy
efficiency and renewable energy
projects.
In 2018-19, Sydney Water purchased 371GWh of grid
electricity; about 8GWh (or 2%) over the target of 363 GWh for
this period. The exceedance was mainly due to the Northern
Suburbs Ocean Outfall Sewer (NSOOS) rehabilitation project,
which consumed about 10GWh of unanticipated grid-supplied
electricity. Additional water pumping from increased water
supply due to the drought also pushed electricity consumption
up.
In 2018-19, 1.3 GWh of energy efficiency projects were
approved for implementation in this period, along with 1.7GWh
of energy projects commissioned (including
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2018-19 action Progress
Liverpool cogeneration upgrade) in accordance with the
Energy Master Plan.
We continue to work towards the Environment Strategy targets
by looking at options to improve performance and reduce
consumption. The below graph shows how we are tracking
against our 2030 energy targets.
Update the National Australian Built
Environment Rating System
(NABERS) energy ratings for our
offices.
Potts Hill, Homebush, West Ryde, Liverpool and Parramatta
(tenancy) assessments are complete or near completion.
Target 3: Identify alternative uses for biosolids recovered from wastewater treatment to maintain
100% beneficial use of biosolids. Improve our overall solid waste recycling rate by responsible
re-use of our recoverable resources.
Increase re-use of different types of
waste collected from Sydney Water
activities, excluding biosolids.
Develop a Resource Master Plan to
define our approach to recovery, re-
use and disposal of resources to meet
Sydney Water’s strategic objectives.
We continue to invest in and trial alternate re-use options for
resources collected from Sydney Water activities. In 2018-19
we:
• Commenced an agreement with a new facility, Mainstream
Recycling, who started receiving stormwater material in
July 2018 for recovery and use in landscaping.
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2018-19 action Progress
• We also commenced a trial with Downer for processing
street sweeping and/or drain cleaning material in their new
Detritus facility. The facility received 76.38 tonnes of
product and diverted 56.75 tonnes (74.3%) from landfill for
repurposing into the circular economy as road base and
asphalt.
• A framework has been developed to classify wastewater
residuals generated from process unit cleanout activities in
order to direct these to a suitably licenced facility and
maximise beneficial reuse opportunities. In 2018-19, we
directed over 5,000 tonnes of material to composting
facilities. These products would otherwise be treated as grit
and screening or gone to landfill.
• We have formed a cross functional team to investigate the
intrinsic value of the different resource material streams
generated, different end use markets, resource recovery
options and processing opportunities, and are working with
NSW EPA and processors to secure resource recovery
orders and exemptions.
We are developing our Bioresources Master Plan, which will
include Biosolids and other recoverable resources from our
collection systems. The Concepts Report, Plan-on-a-page and
Implementation plan will be finalised in 2019-20 following
further stakeholder consultation.
Target 4: Obtain sustainability benchmark ratings for all major infrastructure projects. Reduce
our ecological footprint per customer year on year.
Progress an independent sustainability
rating using the Infrastructure
Sustainability (IS) Tool administered
by the Infrastructure Sustainability
Council of Australia (ISCA) for St
Marys and Quakers Hill Water
Recycling Plants PARR project, part of
the Lower South Creek treatment
program.
Progress preliminary ISCA scorecard
containing indicative credit weightings
and target performance levels for the
proposed Prospect Water Filtration
Plant upgrade project.
In April 2019, the Lower South Creek Treatment Program
received an 'Excellent' ISCA Design Rating for the St Marys
and Quakers Hill Water Recycling Plants PARR project. This is
the highest rating for a water infrastructure project.
A preliminary ISCA scorecard assessment for the Prospect
Water Filtration Plant upgrade project was completed in 2018-
19. A final assessment will be completed following design
changes and the Environmental Impact Statement for the
upgrade.
Sydney Water continues to measure and report impact on the
environment through its carbon and ecological footprints.
Sydney Water's carbon footprint for 2017-18 is 930,000
tCO2e, a 3% increase on 2016-17 but a similar result to 2014-
15. Sydney Water's ecological footprint for 2017-18 has
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2018-19 action Progress
remained stable at 110,00 ha. An increase in capital works in
coming years is likely to increase the carbon and ecological
footprints.
Target 5: Develop innovative servicing solutions that make the best use of water for priority
growth areas, considering recycled water, stormwater and decentralised approaches.
Develop our Water Masterplan.
Deliver Sydney Water's actions in the
Metropolitan Water Plan.
A draft Water Master Plan has been developed in collaboration
with WaterNSW and the Department of Planning, Industry and
Environment and was delivered in May 2019. The draft plan is
currently being aligned with other Master Plans and the
Sydney Water’s integrated Strategic Capital Investment Plan
(SCIP) and will be used to inform the Greater Sydney Water
Strategy (next iteration of the Metropolitan Water Plan).
Sydney Water has worked closely with NSW Government
agencies and WaterNSW to respond to the drought and
manage and plan for Sydney's future water sustainability and
resilience. We are collaborating on the review and
development of future water security and integrated water
strategies for Sydney. In 2018 we began implementation of the
Drought Response Strategy in the Metropolitan Water Plan -
including boosting our water efficiency programs, reducing
water leaks and breaks, maximising recycling from existing
schemes. We conducted awareness campaigns and
commenced water restrictions in June 2019 to reduce
demand. We have continued to provide key inputs to water
planning such as updated demand forecasts and delivering our
Annual Water Conservation Report. We implemented drought
operational readiness activities including start-up of the
Sydney Desalination Plant and completed a study with
WaterNSW into what drought infrastructure may be needed in
case of a prolonged drought.
The draft Western Sydney Regional Master Plan, completed in
May 2019, has developed Sydney Water’s long term strategic
direction for integrated water services that support a liveable,
productive and sustainable Western Sydney. Central to the
master plan’s development was collaboration with key state
and local government agencies, whole of urban water cycle
analysis, and an integrated review of servicing solutions
(across drinking water, wastewater, recycled water and
stormwater) and urban form beyond traditional water servicing
approaches. The master plan also considered the
Government’s aspirations for the emerging Western Parkland
City for increased amounts of blue and green open spaces to
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promote amenity, waterway health and urban cooling for the
region while catering for housing and job growth. The plan’s
vision, developed in collaboration with our stakeholders, is that
‘Our customers enjoy affordable and essential water services,
healthy waterways, and vibrant, cool and green places’. The
master plan’s adaptive planning approach also includes
opportunities for decentralised servicing for remote
development fronts, and future consideration of a climate
resilient water supply through potable reuse if our customers
support a move in that direction.
Target 6: By 2030, provide 75% of our electricity demand from net-zero emissions sources, and
100% by 2050.
Implement our Energy Masterplan
initiatives.
Implementation of our Energy Masterplan is underway with
each Program Delivery stream (renewables, energy
efficiency, food waste to energy, demand response and
purchasing) prioritising and developing work plans for the next
12 months. Projects are currently underway to increase
renewable generation to meet 2030 targets, develop energy
efficiency benchmarks and design standards and,
development of food waste to energy as a viable business
model within Sydney Water as part of the Food Waste
Lighthouse Project. These projects will inform Sydney Water's
long-term planning direction and ensure energy is
considered at all steps in the planning process.
We generated 77GWh from renewable sources (about 17.5%
of energy consumption), of which 8GWh was exported to the
grid. In 2018-19, the percentage of our electricity demand from
net-zero carbon emission sources was 19.9%, comprising of
17.5% from self-generated renewable energy and a 2.4%
reduction in emissions since the Energy Master Plan baseline
of 2015-16 (0.84t CO2e per MWh of grid electricity in NSW).
Target 7: Achieve 35% of our electricity demand from self-generated renewable electricity.
Support precinct-based initiatives to increase renewable energy, and energy and water
efficiency.
Develop knowledge in innovative
renewable energy storage to operate
critical assets off the grid in extreme
weather events.
In September 2018, the initial 30kWh lithium ion battery and
6kW hour of solar PV were successfully installed and
commissioned at Bondi Wastewater Pumping Station as part
of a four-year ARENA trial. This achieved the original ARENA
milestone. The system was officially launched on 26 October
2018 with representatives from ARENA, the University of
Wollongong, Sydney Water and battery manufacturers in
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2018-19 action Progress
attendance. This phase of the trial (about two years) involves
benchmarking the site with the lithium ion battery before
installing the sodium ion battery. Sydney Water and the
University of Wollongong are monitoring the operation of the
PV and battery system. The next milestone for Sydney Water
will be early 2020 when the sodium ion battery pack is planned
to be installed and commissioned.
Further research and position papers will be developed as the
trial progresses and findings are made.
Target 8: Increase our recovery of energy using externally-sourced organic wastes. Move
towards energy self-sufficiency at our major wastewater treatment plants.
Improve scientific knowledge of food
waste co-digestion by continuing the
food waste research program and
commencing research into improving
biogas quality
Sydney Water's Shellharbour Water Recycling Plant food
waste co-digestion research facility has tested a range of
different food waste streams (beer, wine, soft drink, juice, food
waste and, grease). The results are currently being assessed
and reviewed for publication in academic journals and other
forums. The research team is also developing a model to
estimate the benefits and costs with co-digestion of a waste
with given characteristics.
4.2 Key performance indicators
Our key performance indicators help measure our progress and assess performance each year.
The following indicators within Sydney Water’s Environmental Indicators Report 2018–19 (Part C)
are relevant to this objective.
Key performance indicators Environmental Indicators Report 2018-19 (Part C)
Greenhouse gas emissions Page 7
Energy Page 10
Biosolids Page 12
Waste Page 13
Part C
Environmental
Indicators
Report 2018-19 Our environmental
performance
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 1
Table of contents
1 Executive summary ................................................................................................................. 2
2 Our environmental indicators ................................................................................................. 3
3 Wastewater treatment and system discharges ..................................................................... 5
4 Greenhouse gas emissions .................................................................................................... 7
5 Energy .................................................................................................................................... 10
6 Biosolids ................................................................................................................................ 12
7 Waste...................................................................................................................................... 13
8 Flora and Fauna ..................................................................................................................... 16
Tables
Table 4-1 Sydney Water’s greenhouse gas emissions by fuel type in 2018–19 .............................................. 8
Table 7-1 Waste recycled or reused by category ........................................................................................... 13
Table 7-2 Waste generated by category ......................................................................................................... 13
Table 8-1 Native vegetation clearing and rehabilitation for capital works projects 2018-19 ........................... 17
Table 8-2 Rehabilitation projects for Sydney Water owned and managed properties 2018-19 ..................... 18
Figures
Figure 4-1 Greenhouse gas emissions per 1,000 properties ........................................................................... 9
Figure 5-1 Total electricity used or generated ................................................................................................ 10
Figure 7-1 Waste generated by category 2018-19 ......................................................................................... 15
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 2
1 Executive summary
Sydney Water is governed by the Sydney Water Act 1994 (the Act) and conducts its activities
under an operating licence granted by the NSW Government.
The Act and the Operating Licence require us to report each year on indicators of the direct impact
of our activities on the environment.
The Environmental Indicators Report 2018-19 details our performance against the environmental
indicators required to be reported to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) in
accordance with clause 8.2 of our Operating Licence Reporting Manual. These include:
• 10 environmental indicators set by IPART (Reporting Manual July 2018 - Appendix D)
• 15 National Water Initiative (NWI) indicators relating to the environment, from the National
urban water utility performance reporting framework (Indicators and Definition Handbook –
January 2018).
The National Water Initiative (NWI) indicators are part of the National Urban Water Utility
Performance Reporting Framework. The NWI is a shared commitment by Australian state and
federal governments to improve water resource management and use water resources more
efficiently. Data from all Australian water utilities is collated annually and published in a National
Performance Report prepared by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). The report provides a national
comparative ‘report card’ that enables consumers and governments to assess how well water
utilities are performing.
For more information on our environmental objectives and this year’s achievements, please see
our annual environment plan report, Delivering our environment plan, which is the part B of this
Environment Compliance and Performance Report. The full report is available at
sydneywater.com.au.
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 3
2 Our environmental indicators
Category Indicator
Wastewater
treatment and
system
discharges
NWI IE1 Volume of wastewater only treated to a primary level (ML)
NWI E1 Percentage of wastewater treated only to a primary level
NWI IE2 Volume of wastewater only treated to a secondary level (ML)
NWI E2 Percentage of wastewater treated only to a secondary level
NWI IE3 Volume of wastewater treated to a tertiary level (ML)
NWI E3 Percentage of wastewater treated to a tertiary or advanced level
IPART E3 Total number of controlled wastewater overflows that occur in dry weather
that are discharged to the environment, per km of sewer main
IPART E4 Total number of uncontrolled wastewater overflows that occur in dry
weather that are discharged to the environment, per km of sewer main
Greenhouse gas
emissions
NWI IE9 Net greenhouse gas emissions: water supply
NWI E9 Net greenhouse gas emissions per 1,000 properties: water supply (tonnes
CO2 equivalents per 1,000 properties)
NWI IE10 Net greenhouse gas emissions: wastewater
NWI E10 Net greenhouse gas emissions per 1,000 properties: wastewater (tonnes
CO2 equivalents per 1,000 properties)
NWI IE11 Net greenhouse gas emissions: other
NWI E11 Net greenhouse gas emissions per 1,000 properties: other (net tonnes CO2
equivalents per 1,000 properties)
NWI IE12 Total net greenhouse gas emissions
NWI E12 Total net greenhouse gas emissions per 1,000 properties (net tonnes CO2
equivalents per 1,000 properties)
Energy IPART E1 Total energy consumption by the water utility (electricity, fuel and gas) in
units provided on energy bills
IPART E2 Electricity consumption from renewable sources or generated by the water
utility expressed as a total percentage of electricity consumption
Biosolids IPART E5 Estimated total mass of biosolids produced by water utility
NWI E8 Percentage of biosolids reused
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 4
Category Indicator
Waste IPART E6 Percentage of solid waste recycled or reused expressed as a percentage of
solid waste generated
IPART E7 Estimated total mass of solid waste generated by water utility
Flora and fauna IPART E8 Total area of clearing of native vegetation
IPART E 9 Total area of native vegetation rehabilitated, including due to replanting,
weeding and protection by Sydney Water
IPART E10 Total area of native vegetation gain due to rehabilitation, replanting,
weeding and protection by Sydney Water
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 5
3 Wastewater treatment and system discharges
Indicator 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018-19
NWI IE1 Volume of wastewater only
treated to a primary level (ML) 387,977 407,262 397,194 315,657 341,249
NWI E1 Percentage of wastewater
only treated to a primary level 73% 73% 68% 68% 68%
NWI IE2 Volume of wastewater only
treated to a secondary level (ML) 22,421 22,780 46,437 34,858 44,788
NWI E2 Percentage of wastewater
only treated to a secondary level 4% 4% 8% 8% 9%
NWI IE3 Volume of wastewater
treated to a tertiary level (ML) 122,344 125,567 138,743 104,156 116,728
NWI E3 Percentage of wastewater
treated to a tertiary or advanced level 23% 23% 24% 23% 23%
PART E3 - Total number of controlled
wastewater overflows that occur in dry
weather that discharged to the
environment, per km of sewer main *
0.002 0.002
IPART E4 - Total number of
uncontrolled wastewater overflows
that occur in dry weather that
discharged to the environment, per km
of sewer main *
0.012 0.012
* new indicators from July 2018.
IPART E3 and E4
In 2018-19, Sydney Water operated 26,177 km of wastewater main network.
There were:
• 63 controlled network overflows (from designated - designed overflow structures); and
• 365 uncontrolled network overflows.
Dry weather sewage overflows generally occur when tree roots block pipes or pipes collapse due
to soil movement. Sewage overflows either affect downstream of designed overflow structures or
result in uncontrolled discharge to the local environment. In 2018-19, the total number of controlled
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 6
and uncontrolled sewage overflows during dry weather has increased in line with the increasing
trend in overall wastewater blockages (sewer chokes) in Sydney Water’s area of operations.
With more urbanisation and population growth, the pressure on waterways increases. Sydney
Water’s choke management program of works targets the reduction of chokes and resulting
sewage overflows. A key component of the strategy is a program involving the inspection and
repair of assets subject to repeat failures or assets from which a wastewater overflow could impact
on waterways. Sydney Water has also improved its field response to sewer chokes by
implementing equipment that provides immediate containment (where possible), minimising the
volume of sewage overflow that can reach a waterway.
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 7
4 Greenhouse gas emissions
Indicator 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018-19
NWI IE9 Net greenhouse gas
emissions: water supply (tonnes CO2
equivalents)
117,571 114,713 126,199 132,411 122,326
NWI E9 Net greenhouse gas emissions
per 1,000 properties: water supply
(tonnes CO2 equivalents/1,000
properties)1
63 60 65 67 61
NWI IE10 Net greenhouse gas
emissions: wastewater (tonnes CO2
equivalents)
230,189 204,585 193,949 189,206 219,624
NWI E10 Net greenhouse gas
emissions per 1,000 properties:
wastewater (tonnes CO2
equivalents/1,000 properties)1,2
126 110 103 98 111
NWI IE11 Net greenhouse gas
emissions: other (tonnes CO2
equivalents)
-190,529 -44,918 19,863 20,764 22,295
NWI E11 Net greenhouse gas
emissions per 1,000 properties: other
(tonnes CO2 equivalents/1,000
properties)1,4
-102 -24 10 10 11
NWI IE12 Total net greenhouse gas
emissions (tonnes CO2 equivalents) 157,231 274,379 340,011 342,381 364,245
NWI E12 Total net greenhouse gas
emissions per 1,000 properties (tonnes
CO2 equivalents/1,000 properties)1,3
84 144 176 173 180
1 Scope 3 emissions are excluded. Scope 3 emissions are defined in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, see ghgprotocol.org
2 Includes recycled water use.
3 Total net emissions don’t equal the sum of NWI E9, NWI E10 and NWI E11, because the numbers of properties with
water and wastewater services differs. NWI E10 is calculated using the number of properties supplied with wastewater
services. NWI E9, E11 and E12 are calculated using the number of properties supplied with water services.
4 For the period up to 2016–17, this includes surrendering NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Certificates (NGACs) to
offset greenhouse gas emissions.
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 8
Table 4-1 Sydney Water’s greenhouse gas emissions by fuel type in 2018–19
Source Tonnes CO2 equivalent % of total
Electricity 301,377 82.7
Natural gas 281 0.1
Stationary fuel 8,154 2.2
Transport fuel 5,838 1.6
Fugitive emissions 48,596 13.3
Sub-total tonnes CO2–e (gross) 364,245
Surrender of carbon credits 0
Total tonnes CO2–e (net) 364,245
Sydney Water’s operational greenhouse gas emissions
Sydney Water reports its greenhouse gas emissions (that is, the equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2e)
emissions) by measuring its electricity, fuel and gas consumption and fugitive gas emissions (NWI
E9 and E10). This greenhouse gas emissions figure reported in NWI E11 includes emissions from
corporate overheads and the surrender of carbon offsets.
In 2018-19, our gross greenhouse gas emissions were 364,245 tonnes CO2e, an increase of 6.4%
compared to 2017-18.
A comparison of greenhouse gas emissions per 1,000 properties for water and sewage services is
shown in the figure 4.1 below. Greenhouse gas emissions for water supply (NWI E9) have reduced
by around 10% due decrease in water demand. Greenhouse gas emissions for wastewater
collection and treatment (NWI E10) has increased by 14%. This increase was due to an increase
in estimated fugitive methane emissions (which are historically variable) and maintenance activities
within the North Head wastewater catchment area.
Sydney Water no longer has any NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Certificates (NGACs) or other
carbon credits to offset emissions.
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 9
Figure 4-1 Greenhouse gas emissions per 1,000 properties
-
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19Ton
nes
C0
2eq
uiv
alen
t (C
O2e
) p
er 1
,00
0 p
rop
erti
es
Greenhouse gas emissions per 1,000 properties
Water services Sewerage services
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 10
5 Energy
Indicator Unit 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018-19
IPART E1 - Total energy
consumption by the water
utility in units provided on
energy bills* #
Electricity
(kWh) 354,980,726** 372,070,420
Fuel (L) 2,246,257 2,280,393
Gas (MJ) 5,459,495 5,458,816
IPART E2 Electricity
consumption from renewable
sources or generated by
Sydney Water expressed as
a percentage of total
electricity consumption*
17.5% 21% 15.9% 18.7% 17.5%
* Electricity consumption data only includes energy used by assets under Sydney Water’s control.
# New indicator from July 2018
** 2017-18 figure corrected to align with the Reporting Manual definition.
Figure 5-1 Total electricity used or generated
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
-
50,000,000
100,000,000
150,000,000
200,000,000
250,000,000
300,000,000
350,000,000
400,000,000
450,000,000
500,000,000
2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19
Per
cen
tage
of
elec
tric
ity
gen
erat
ed b
y sy
dn
ey w
ater
(%
)
Tota
l ele
ctri
city
use
d b
y Sd
ney
wat
er (
KW
h)
Total Energy used or Generated
Sydney Water electricity consumption Electricity produced by Sydney Water
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 11
IPART E1
Fuel usage and gas consumption have remained relatively constant over 2017-18 and 2018-19.
Electricity consumption for 2018-19 increased due to maintenance activities within the North Head
catchment and increased recycled water production at Wollongong Water Recycling Plant (WRP).
Furthermore, there was an increase in the volume of wastewater treated in 2018-19 compared to
the previous year.
IPART E2
Sydney Water has eight sites with biogas cogeneration facilities, three hydroelectric generators,
and several solar installations across Sydney Water sites.
In 2018-19, Sydney Water generated 77.5 million kWh of electricity which was equivalent to 17.5%
of the total Sydney Water usage of 442 million kWh.
Renewable generation in 2018-19 was 6% lower compared to 2017-18 due to a number of
maintenance and upgrade activities as well as unexpected outages of the biogas cogeneration
facilities at Malabar. This was partially offset by increased generation from Prospect Hydro and
North Head Hydro.
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 12
6 Biosolids
Indicator 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017-18 2018-19
IPART E5 Estimated total mass of
biosolids produced by Sydney Water
(dry tonnes)
40,627 39,370 36,623 36,148 41,379
NWI E8 Percentage of biosolids
reused 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Biosolids are the nutrient-rich organic material produced when we treat wastewater at our water
recycling plants (WRPs) and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Variations in wastewater
treatment processes, population and flows to WRPs and WWTPs can all affect yearly totals. Totals
may also include biosolids produced in the previous reporting period, as we don’t record the totals
until after the biosolids are removed from storage facilities.
Sydney Water has been consistently achieving 100% beneficial reuse of biosolids. Biosolids is
reused for agriculture and horticulture purpose.
To know more about biosolids use, visit sydneywater.com.au.
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 13
7 Waste
Indicator 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017-18 2018-19
IPART E6 Percentage of solid waste recycled
or reused expressed as a percentage of solid
waste generated (%)
88% 71% 70% 54% 59%
IPART E7 Estimated total mass of solid waste
generated by the water utility (tonnes) 329,055 190,230 201,296 154,242 193,261
Table 7-1 Waste recycled or reused by category
Waste category
Percentage of waste recycled or reused (%)
2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017-18 2018-19
Construction and demolition waste –
Sydney Water 48% 80% 77% 91% 89%
Construction and demolition waste –
contractors 93% 73% 70% 34% 50%
Office waste 83% 46% 57% 40% 64%
Water, wastewater and stormwater
process wastes 64% 61% 71% 76% 61%
Total 88% 71% 70% 54% 59%
Table 7-2 Waste generated by category
Waste category
Total waste generated (tonnes)
2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017-18 2018-19
Construction and demolition waste –
Sydney Water* 20,191 24,633 22,671 43,363 33,614
Construction and demolition waste –
contractors* 277,823 133,597 145,762 88,024 129,938
Office waste 5,836 9,773 15,052 8,059 9,959
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 14
Water, wastewater and stormwater
process wastes 25,205 22,227 17,810 14,796 19,750
Total 329,055 190,230 201,296 154,242 193,261
* Data for 2014–15 and 2015–16 includes an estimated portion of waste
IPART E6 and E7
In 2018–19, Sydney Water generated 193,261 tonnes of solid waste, an increase of 25% from
2017-18. The overall recycling rate for 2018-19 was 59%, slightly higher than 54% from the
previous year.
Construction and demolition waste
The capital works programs undertaken by both Sydney Water and contractors were responsible
for over 84% of the total waste generated and continues to be the major contributor to the overall
lower rate of recycling in 2018-19.
The average recycling rate for construction and demolition waste generated by Sydney Water and
our contractors combined increased to 58% (53% in 2017-18). However, it was below the 80%
target set by the Office of Environment and Heritage for recycling construction and demolition
waste by 20211.
Recycling rates vary considerably during the life cycle of capital projects; as a project moves from
preparation to works and to handover, the types of waste material and their recyclability will
change.
The recycling rate for Sydney Water decreased by 2% due to a reduction in organic waste
collected from grounds maintenance and land management at Sydney Water properties. The
recycling rate for contractor’s construction and demolition waste significantly increased by 16%
(50% in 2018-19 compared with 34% in 2017-18). This is predominately due to a high proportion of
soil collected from projects that was able to be diverted from landfill and also a reduced volume of
acid sulfate soils and general solid waste, which are not classified as recyclable products.
Office waste
We report all mixed waste collected from our offices and depots as office waste, unless captured
specifically under construction and demolition waste or process waste. Because the work done at
our locations varies, the volume and type of waste generated, and the portion of recyclable
materials also varies from site-to-site.
In 2018-19, the office waste diversion rate increased to 64% which is the highest since 2014-15.
The rate is highly dependent on recycling from Sydney Water’s facility management contracts.
1 2014, NSW Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2014-21, NSW EPA, Sydney.
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 15
Process waste
Process waste volumes increased by 33% compared to 2017-18. In 2018-19, waste collected from
our stormwater and wastewater networks increased by 65%, predominately due to a focus on
servicing stormwater gross pollutant traps, channels and culverts. Our process waste from the
wastewater network also increased due to an increase in the number of sewer chokes in 2018-19.
Water Filtration Plant residuals are generally stored in sedimentation ponds on site for several
years before being excavated and removed. This means there can be a significant fluctuation in
the volume of process waste from year to year. Recycling of waste from our water, wastewater and
stormwater processes has decreased from 76% last year to 61% in 2018-19. The recycling rate for
grit and screenings from our wastewater treatment plants is estimated to be 60%2.
The recycling rate remains highly dependent on the quantity and composition of wastes from our
stormwater system due to large amounts of litter collected, as well as the material that cannot be
recycled including wet wipes in the wastewater network. In 2018-19, changes in waste exemptions
for the use of mixed organic waste material in forestry and mining land application, has impacted
the disposal means of Sydney Water’s process waste, resulting in more being sent to landfill.
Figure 7-1 Waste generated by category 2018-19
2 This is a derived figure, given to Sydney Water by the receiving facility.
Construction and demolition waste – Sydney Water
Construction and demolition waste –
contractors
Office waste
Water, wastewater and stormwater process
wastes
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 16
8 Flora and Fauna
Indicator 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017-18 2018-19
IPART E8
Total area of clearing of native
vegetation (ha)
7.99 2.92 2.36 1.77 0.64
IPART E9
Total area of native vegetation
rehabilitated, including due to
rehabilitation, replanting, weeding and
protection by Sydney Water (ha) #
19.03 6.23 8.95 63 112.1
IPART E10
Total area of native vegetation gain due
to rehabilitation, replanting, weeding and
protection by Sydney Water (ha) ^
11.04 3.31 6.59 2.8 0.98
# Indicator changed from 2017-18. Historical data from 2014 to 2017 only includes rehabilitation from capital works
projects. 2017 to 2019 data also includes rehabilitation projects for Sydney Water owned and managed properties.
^ Data reflects either the net gain or loss of native vegetation annually from capital works projects only.
The minimum area of native vegetation reported for each project is 0.01 hectares (ha), or 100
square metres. There are no targets set for these native vegetation indicators. The scale and
scope of capital works, the natural and built characteristics of a site, and the timing of reporting
influence Sydney Water’s performance.
Major capital works projects
Sydney Water conducts capital works projects to renew and upgrade its assets, deliver
government programs and support urban growth. We aim to limit the impact of works on native
vegetation and conserve biodiversity and essential fauna habitat.
From 2014-15 to 2018-19, a cumulative total of 15.68 ha of native vegetation has been cleared
and 40.4 ha has been revegetated or rehabilitated through construction project work. Most of the
clearing is temporary, with the disturbed land revegetated through site restoration with native
species. In 2018–19 there was a net gain of native vegetation, with a total of 0.64 ha of native
vegetation cleared and 1.62 ha revegetated or rehabilitated. As major capital works projects often
take longer than 12 months, there is a lag between reporting data on upfront clearing and reporting
the completion of rehabilitation, restoration or replanting works. Table 8-1 lists capital works
projects that involved native vegetation clearing or rehabilitation in 2018-19.
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 17
Table 8-1 Native vegetation clearing and rehabilitation for capital works projects 2018-19
Project Area of native
vegetation cleared (ha)
Area of native vegetation
rehabilitated (ha)
Status / expected completion date
Leppington wastewater – stage 2 0.18 0 Ongoing, 2019-20
Strangers Creek 0.087 1.618 On hold
Western Sydney Aerotropolis Growth Area 0.025 0 Ongoing, 2019-20
North West Priority Growth Area PK3 (Vineyard) 0.25 0 Ongoing, 2019-20
Marsden Park (SP 1173) 0.026 0 Ongoing, 2019-20
Kurnell Reservoir 0.0465 0 Ongoing, 2019-20
Lower South Creek (SWPGA South Western Front Package 1A)
0.0234 0 Ongoing, 2019-20
Total 0.6379 1.618
Sydney Water owned and managed properties
Sydney Water owns over 3,000 properties across its areas of operations, including properties with
significant threatened native vegetation, endangered ecological communities and locations with
threatened species of plants and animals. We also manage 452.58 ha of riparian lands, wetlands
and naturalised stormwater assets.
The total area of land owned by Sydney Water that has had natural area restoration work done in
2018-19 is 112.1 hectares. These projects are undertaken under our Property Environmental
Management Plans, Plans of Management, and in response to requirements to undertake weed
control works. Table 8-2 lists projects for Sydney Water owned and managed properties that
involved native vegetation rehabilitation in 2018-19.
2018-19 Environmental Indicators Report l SWEMS0004.04v12 Page 18
Table 8-2 Rehabilitation projects for Sydney Water owned and managed properties 2018-19
Project Area of native
vegetation rehabilitated (ha)
Status / expected completion date
In-fill planting of provenance native species on the banks of Caddies Creek, Second Ponds Creek and Strangers Creek as part of Bush Regeneration
5.94 Completed in June 2019
In fill and enhancement planting at Botany wetlands using Eastern Suburb Banksia Scrub plants across Botany Wetlands
0.34 Completed in June 2019
In-fill planting in the vegetation conservation areas at Potts Hill
0.80 Completed in June 2019
Enhancement revegetation of a few sections of Smalls Creek bank in Kellyville and two sections of Smalls Creek in Beaumont Hills
0.26 Progressing – will be completed in
June 2020
In-fill planting as part of bush regeneration along the banks of Smalls Creek in Kellyville, Beaumont Hills and Eve Street Wetlands
0.06 Progressing – will be completed in
June 2020
Prospect Reservoir – Works commenced with primary weed control in the form of mechanical control (flailing) and herbicide treatment to be followed up with further control.
2.0
Revegetation yet to start. Ongoing work recommended for a minimum of five years as a minimum- ending
June 2023.
Fairfield WRP and Potts Hill Reservoir sites – ongoing weed control works, including flailing and treatment. Planting continued at both sites.
8.4 Ongoing June 2020 with view to
continue.
Multiple sites in the Blue Mountains and western Sydney, including reservoirs, sewage pumping stations, depots and former WWTP sites, extending from Mt Victoria to Glenbrook and Penrith.
75.0 Started during 2017. Ongoing until 2022 with view to continue, unless
properties are disposed of.
Weed management of two areas in the Warragamba township and Wallacia WWTP.
15.0 Started during 2017. Ongoing until
2022 with view to continue.
Weeding and replacement planting at the Riverstone Biodiversity Offset Area (BOA).
0.8 Ongoing in perpetuity. Area done
on the site is likely to increase outside the BOA eventually.
Weed management at Winmalee WWTP in upper and lower areas of the plant.
1.5 Started during 2017. Ongoing until
2022 with view to continue. Sweeps of entire site conducted in 2019.
Weeding and restoration at reservoir sites: Minchinbury and Rogans Hill
0.8 Started during 2017. Ongoing until
2022 with view to continue.
Restoration works across the lower areas of North Richmond Water Filtration Plant. Site to be used for trial burns for ecological outcomes.
1.2 Started during 2019. Ongoing until
2024 with view to continue
Total 112.1
Environment Compliance and Performance Report 2018-19 | SWEMS0004.04v12
Part D
EMS Non-conformances The Sydney Water Environmental Management System (EMS) is externally audited every year.
The external auditor, BSI Group ANZ Pty Ltd, conducted a surveillance audit of the Sydney Water
EMS in March 2019. The audit team concluded based on the results, that Sydney Water continues
to fulfil the standard and audit criteria identified within the audit report, and it was deemed that the
management system continues to achieve the intended outcomes. No non-conformances were
identified. The EMS is scheduled for recertification in February 2020.
Part E
EMS Proposed significant changes No significant changes are proposed for 2019-20.
Environment Compliance and Performance Report 2018-19 | SWEMS0004.04v12
Part F
Environment Plan 2019-20 This plan outlines the activities and programs we will take in 2019–20 to meet our environmental
objectives and our targets by 2020 and 2030.
We update our Environment Plan every year to remain resilient against emerging environmental
risks and to ensure that it reflects our business focus.
Since releasing the Environment Plan 2019-20, additional programs have been identified to
improve our environmental performance and address concerns raised by the NSW Environment
Protection Authority. The actions within this plan will be reviewed and amended where necessary
to ensure we are delivering the priority outcomes of our Environment Strategy.
Our Environment Plan 2019–20
Sydney Water’s environmental actions to
bring our lifestream strategy to life
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 2
1 Introduction
This plan outlines the actions we will take in 2019–20 to meet our environmental objectives and our targets by 2020 and 2030.
We update our Environment Plan every year to remain resilient against emerging environmental risks and to ensure that it reflects our business focus.
The plan addresses recent challenges and identifies actions to be undertaken to improve our environmental performance.
The plan aligns to our Environment Strategy. Our strategic approach will let us anticipate and respond to the environmental expectations of our
customers and prepare for environmental challenges in the future. It also aligns our environmental commitments to our corporate strategy.
We have a vision to transform Sydney Water into a customer-centric, future-focused organisation that delivers great customer experiences and
sustainable shareholder value. This reflects our core purpose to protect public health and the environment by providing essential water and
wastewater services while remaining a successful business.
To meet this vision, we have the following environmental objectives:
1) We’ll contribute to healthy waterways and clean beaches in delivering our services to safeguard ecosystems that our communities can continue to
enjoy.
2) We’ll increase our resilience to a changing climate, connect with customers and use water in the landscape to shape liveable places.
3) We’ll protect and restore valuable biodiversity and share the natural spaces, land and heritage in our care with the community.
4) We’ll use our resources wisely, work with customers to save water and increase our recovery of energy towards net-zero emissions.
1.1 Reporting progress on our plan
Each year, we report on the results and outcomes of our actions as part of this plan. To provide a year-to-year comparison of performance, we also
report against a set of environmental performance indicators determined by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). Both reports
can be found in our Environment Compliance and Performance Report. This plan aligns with Sydney Water’s objectives as outlined in the Sydney
Water Act 1994 and reported in our Annual Report. We are also benchmarked against other Australian water utilities through the National Water
Initiative.
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 3
Healthy waterways and clean beaches
OBJECTIVE 1: We’ll contribute to healthy waterways and clean beaches in delivering our services to safeguard
ecosystems that our communities can continue to enjoy
We aim to meet this objective through establishing priority outcomes and targets. Aspirational short and long-term targets are listed below. We will
implement the following actions in 2019–20.
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
By 2020 we
will:
1.1 Balance the needs
for healthy rivers and a
growing city by managing
water cycle outcomes.
Contribute to developing a new
framework for licensing of nutrients
to maintain and protect the health of
the Hawkesbury-Nepean River
system.
• Support the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in developing
a new regulatory framework for the Hawkesbury Nepean.
• Ensure new environmental management approaches are
appropriately funded and regulated.
1.2 Collaborate to
improve waterway health
and amenity and manage
access.
Establish a new framework to plan,
deliver and evaluate water sensitive
urban design projects in
collaboration with local government
and catchment groups.
• Complete relevant integrated water management (IWM) (adaptive
pathway) planning projects (including water sensitive urban design
considerations):
o Epping to St Leonards
o Wilton
o Menangle.
• Progress planning for waterway health improvement projects.
• Build capability to plan IWM (adaptive pathways).
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 4
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
1.3 Reduce
environmental impacts of
our discharges.
See our work contribute to over 90%
of coastal and estuarine beaches
classified as having ‘very good’ or
‘good’ recreational water quality (as
measured by Beachwatch).
• Finalise stage 1 planning work for identified wet weather overflow
abatement (WWOA) projects:
o Upper Parramatta catchment assessment
o Mid Parramatta catchment assessment
o Lane Cove catchment assessment
o Lower Middle Harbour and Mosman Peninsular catchment
assessment
o Prospect catchment assessment.
• Commence stage 2 planning work for identified WWOA projects:
o Source control works on Sydney Water assets for Upper
Parramatta, Mid Parramatta, Lane Cove, Prospect, Lower
Middle Harbour and Mosman Peninsular catchments
o Emergency Relief Structure (ERS) rationalisation for Lower
Middle Harbour and Mosman catchment
o Georges River Effluent Diversion Scheme (GREDS)
optimisation for Prospect catchment.
• Continue Malabar system planning to evaluate different servicing
concepts for the Malabar Wastewater System with an applied
adaptive planning approach.
1.4 Use leading edge
science and research to
benefit waterways.
Develop and share our capability in
innovation monitoring and modelling
to protect aquatic environment and
public health outcomes for major
Sydney waterways.
• Develop and commence a position statement as part of the
Waterways masterplan.
• Sample and analyse data for the monitoring approach for wet
weather overflows.
• Continue to develop online and analytic monitoring of water and
wastewater systems to enable proactive management of our
networks to reduce impacts to our customers.
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 5
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
1.5 Maintain reliability of
our infrastructure to
ensure we meet
environmental
obligations.
Continue to work towards 100% of
wastewater volume treated that is
compliant with our environment
protection licences (from current
performance of over 99%).
• Investigate the cause and effect of increased oil and grease inflow to
Bondi, Malabar and North Head wastewater treatment plants.
• Implement the pollution reduction program (PRP) study for the trial
pilot-scale wetland project at Picton.
• Finalise Picton effluent management strategy.
• Continue Malabar system planning to maintain reliability of North
Georges River Submain (NGRS) and Southern & Western Suburbs
Ocean Outfall Sewer (SWSOOS).
1.6 Incorporate
environmental
safeguards more
effectively to reduce risks
and communicate
incidents impacting
waterways.
Improve our prevention and
response to dry weather overflows.
• Continue rolling out new approaches to detecting, predicting, and
improving prevention and response to dry weather overflows.
• Review strategies and plans to support the achievement of our
desired outcomes for dry weather overflow to waterways.
• Implement the Environment Performance Improvement Program to
address dry weather overflows
By 2030 we
aspire to:
1.7 Support a risk-based
approach to manage
cumulative impacts of
development and
improve catchment and
waterway health.
Work collaboratively to support the
swimmability goals for the
Parramatta River by 2025.
• Act as the lead coordinating agency to drive delivery of the
Parramatta River Masterplan.
• Continue to integrate Parramatta River Masterplan outcomes
(swimmability) into our servicing strategies.
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 6
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
1.8 Understand impacts
and prioritise
improvements
considering all discharge
sources to waterways.
See our work contribute to increased
proportion of waterways meeting
community expectations and
environmental objectives1.
• Complete trial stormwater ingress source control project to meet the
Wolli Creek pollution reduction program (PRP).
• Execute Final Waterways Masterplan Implementation Plan.
• Invest in monitoring and modelling tools to predict environmental
impacts, enabling us to be more proactive in our management
decisions.
1.9 Collaborate to
integrate water services
with city planning.
Enhance integrated water planning
by working collaboratively with
government agencies and
stakeholders.
• Continue applying integrated water management principles to help
identify optimal and adaptable servicing pathway(s) in the regional
servicing master plans.
1 Key indicators in Sydney Water’s Sewage Treatment System Impact Monitoring Program
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 7
Create resilient and liveable places
OBJECTIVE 2: We’ll increase our resilience to a changing climate, connect with customers and use water in the
landscape to shape liveable places
We aim to meet this objective through establishing priority outcomes and targets. Aspirational short and long-term targets are listed below. We will
implement the following actions in 2019–20.
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
By 2020 we
will:
2.1 Enhance our resilience
to ensure continuity of
services in a changing and
variable climate.
Assess 100% of our climate risk
interdependencies with transport,
power and other services.
• Ongoing implementation of Cross-Dependency Initiative (XDI)
including identify initiatives for potential cost sharing solutions with
other critical infrastructure providers.
2.2 Incorporate customers’
environmental needs and
values into our decisions
and regulatory
submissions.
Engage with our customers to
understand what they need and
value, including environmental
considerations, from across our
services.
• Develop an ongoing customer engagement program.
2.3 Build sustainable water
and wastewater behaviours
through our education
programs.
Measure increased customer
satisfaction (positive environmental
responses), awareness and behavior
with our customer research.
• Continue customer research to measure increased customer
satisfaction, awareness and behaviour.
• Continue to roll out community awareness programs to increase
understanding of roles in keeping our wastewater system healthy.
• Working with media and industry stakeholders to encourage
informed coverage of environmental related issues.
• Continue to educate the community on water efficiency and the
importance of valuing water as a precious resource.
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 8
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
2.4 Play a leading role in
urban water infrastructure
strategy and reforms.
Work closely with agencies to include
an integrated water management
cycled approach in the infrastructure
strategy for the South Creek corridor.
• Support Infrastructure NSW to complete Stage 2 of the strategic
options business case to implement Cabinet recommendations.
• Work with WaterNSW and Department of Planning & Environment to
include an integrated water cycle management approach in the
Greater Sydney Water Strategy and supporting plans.
2.5 Improve local amenity
to support safe, healthy
and inclusive communities.
Deliver programs that manage the
odour, noise and visual impacts of
our operations.
• Continue to implement odour management plans.
By 2030 we
aspire to:
2.6 Collaborate and share
knowledge to enable water
sensitive cities of the
future.
Be recognised by our stakeholders
as working in partnership with them,
as measured by our annual
corporate stakeholder perception
audit.
• Support the delivery of water-related priorities identified in the District
and Regional Plans in collaboration with the Greater Sydney
Commission (GSC), and using our joint ‘Water in Western Sydney'
forum.
• Engage with Western City Councils, communities/developers, and
the Western Sydney Planning Partnership to be Master Planners
(collaborate, improve knowledge, make integrated cost effective
decisions) in the delivering of water infrastructure that aligns with the
vision for the Western Parkland City.
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 9
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
2.7 Collaborate on climate
adaptation to create shared
solutions for our
communities.
Be a benchmark leader for climate
readiness and service continuity to
contribute to our communities being
more resilient to a changing climate2.
• Continue to implement the Climate Change Adaptation
Implementation Plan including incorporating outcomes from the
AdaptWaterTM tool to embed climate change preparedness within
Sydney Water.
• Participate in the NSW Government's Sustainability Bonds
Programme to contribute to a low carbon economy and meet
broader environmental and sustainability goals.
2.8 Enhance liveability
through the use of water in
the landscape to help
connect, cool and green
our places.
Deliver servicing strategies that
support the Green Grid3 priority
opportunities and future connections.
Deliver programs that provide
multiple benefits from flood planning
and management.
• Continue project investigating alternative provision of water and
wastewater services in the Greater Parramatta to Olympic Peninsula
(GPOP) area.
• Complete adaptive pathway planning for the Western Sydney sub-
region.
2 Objective identified in NSW Climate Change Policy Framework, 2016, Office of Environment and Heritage 3 Green Grid for Greater Sydney in the draft Greater Sydney Region Plan and District Plans, 2017, Greater Sydney Commission
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 10
Care for nature, land and heritage
OBJECTIVE 3: We’ll protect and restore valuable biodiversity and share the natural spaces, land and heritage in our care
with the community.
We aim to meet this objective through establishing priority outcomes and targets. Aspirational short and long-term targets are listed below. We will
implement the following actions in 2019–20.
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
By 2020 we
will:
3.1 Conserve natural
environments and cultural
heritage in our care.
Consolidate and renew our
strategic plans of management for
cultural heritage and natural
environments (including riparian
lands and wetlands).
• Routine grounds maintenance incorporating the protection and
enhancement of environmentally sensitive sites.
• Renew Plan of Management for Rouse Hill Trunk Drainage Lands.
• Deliver prioritised projects in line with Sydney Water's Strategic
Heritage Asset Management Program (SHAMP).
3.2 Reveal and restore
natural waterways and
landscapes.
Implement programs to reinstate
more natural conditions in highly
modified waterways.
Achieve net gain in area of native
vegetation restored year on year.
• Progress the naturalisation of stormwater channels at Johnson Creek,
Glebe; Whites Creek, Annandale; Muddy Creek, Rockdale, St Lukes
Park, Canada Bay and Iron Cove Creek, Haberfield.
3.3 Responsibly manage
land contamination and
hazardous building materials
to prevent risk of harm.
Have clear outcomes and
milestones for site clean-up or
management established for all
declared contaminated sites on
our land.
• Continue risk ranking and investigation of all land lots to manage
contaminated land risk.
• Continue assessment and remediation of hazardous building materials
across property portfolio.
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 11
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
3.4 Support our people to
live our environmental values
every day.
Have over 90% of staff complete
environmental awareness training
and communicate how we care
for the environment.
• Continue to encourage completion of Environmental Accountabilities
eLearning, and further develop our environmental communications
program.
• Deliver a tailored environmental awareness training program for
wastewater operational staff.
By 2030 we
aspire to:
3.5 Include learnings from
Aboriginal knowledge of
Country in our programs to
improve conservation
outcomes and build
relationships
Enhance our strategic
engagement with recognised
knowledge holders to inform our
planning and community projects
• Use the Aboriginal Places Decision Tool for proposed activities.
• Develop a framework for strategic engagement with Local Aboriginal
Land Councils (LALCs) and Indigenous Land Use Agreements
(ILUAs) to inform strategic/regional planning.
• Incorporate knowledge of Country in the design of the Port Kembla
seawall project.
3.6 Share our land and
heritage in our care with the
community to support
liveable places.
Increase the availability of our
land for agreed community use or
public open space year on year.
• Continue identifying opportunities to develop community assets on our
land and form land-use agreements for priority sites with local
councils, developers and government.
3.7 Look to create value from
our green infrastructure4 to
maintain ecological health.
Identify and where feasible,
create biobanking, green offset or
other opportunities to fund green
infrastructure.
• Continue to develop Sydney Water's biodiversity offset portfolio.
4 Green infrastructure principles identified in the draft Greener Places, 2017, Office of the Government Architect NSW
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 12
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
3.8 Identify and prepare for
emerging contaminants of
concern
Collaborate on shared responses,
as needed, to risks to land and
waterways from microplastics and
emerging chemicals of concern.
• Implement Research and Innovation strategy initiatives related to
emerging contaminants.
• Continue to assess and identify risks from emerging contaminants to
our sites - risks to site users.
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 13
Efficient and sustainable resource use
OBJECTIVE 4: We’ll use our resources wisely, work with customers to save water and increase our recovery of energy
towards net-zero emissions.
We aim to meet this objective through establishing priority outcomes and targets. Aspirational short and long-term targets are listed below. We will
implement the following actions in 2019–20.
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
By 2020 we
will:
4.1 Work with customers
and invest in economically
efficient water
conservation.
Develop and implement a Water
Conservation Program.
• Annually update and report on our Water Conservation Plan.
• Establish a Water Efficiency Program with a focus on improving and
developing customer products, services and communications to help
reduce potable water usage in prioritised areas.
• Continue introducing new approaches to improve leak detection from
our water network.
4.2 Drive low-carbon,
energy efficient and
demand responsive water
infrastructure and services.
Maintain our grid-sourced electricity
demand below 1998 levels.
• Develop cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy
projects.
• Develop energy performance standards for planning and design of
facility projects.
• Continue to update the National Australian Built Environment Rating
System (NABERS) energy rating for our offices.
4.3 Beneficially recover and
re-use resources and
reduce waste to landfill.
Identify alternative uses for biosolids
recovered from wastewater treatment
to maintain 100% beneficial use of
biosolids.
• Implementation of the Bioresources Master Plan.
• Characterise material that has potential resource value.
• Engage with EPA to overcome regulatory barriers for new products
entering re-use markets.
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 14
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
Improve our overall solid waste
recycling rate by responsible re-use
of our recoverable resources.
• Engage with industry to identify potential markets.
• Continue to investigate alternate beneficial use markets (mine
rehabilitation & forestry) for biosolids with key suppliers.
• Continue to increase the re-use of different types of waste collected
from Sydney Water activities, excluding biosolids.
4.4 Work with suppliers and
contractors towards a
smaller ecological footprint.
Obtain sustainability benchmark
ratings for all major infrastructure
projects.
Reduce our ecological footprint per
customer year on year.
• Continue to progress an independent sustainability 'as built' rating
using the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Rating Tool administered
by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) for St
Marys and Quakers Hill Water Recycling Plants PARR project, part
of the Lower South Creek treatment program.
• Progress preliminary ISCA scorecard containing indicative credit
weightings and target performance levels for the proposed Prospect
WFP upgrade project.
By 2030 we
aspire to:
4.5 Contribute to future
sustainable and resilient
water supplies.
Develop innovative servicing
solutions that make the best use of
water for priority growth areas,
considering recycled water,
stormwater and decentralised
approaches.
• Continue to develop and implement Water Master Plan to feed into
2020 Greater Sydney Water Strategy.
• Develop a long term capital and operational plan jointly with
WaterNSW.
• Implement Sydney Water’s responsibilities under the Greater
Sydney Urban Water Framework, including contributing to
developing the Greater Sydney Water Strategy in collaboration with
Department of Planning and Environment and through the Water
Coalition.
• Deliver drought response management measures under with the
Metropolitan Water Plan, if the drought continues.
Environment Plan 2019 – 20 | SWEMS0004.02v11 Page | 15
Timeframe Priority outcome Target Actions
4.6 Reduce our carbon
emissions to help meet
NSW’s aspirational
objective of net-zero
emissions by 20505.
Provide 75% of our electricity
demand from net-zero emissions
sources, and 100% by 2050.
• Implement Energy Master Plan Initiatives.
4.7 Harness research and
innovation to increase our
use of renewable energy.
Achieve 35% of our electricity
demand from self-generated
renewable electricity.
Support precinct-based initiatives to
increase renewable energy, and
energy and water efficiency.
• Implement Research and Innovation Strategy initiatives to continue
to identify potential opportunities for innovative renewable energy
applications.
4.8 Explore innovative
waste management to
support the development of
a circular economy.
Increase our recovery of energy
using externally-sourced organic
wastes
Move towards energy self-sufficiency
at our major wastewater treatment
plants.
• Implement circular economy process.
• Continue improving scientific knowledge of food waste co-digestion
by continuing the food waste research program and research into
improving biogas quality.
5 Objective identified in NSW Climate Change Policy Framework, 2016, Office of Environment and Heritage
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