Sustainable Water Management Plan - Nillumbik Shire Council

Graph 3: Council’s annual water consumption by facility type
250000
200000
Council’s annual water consumption by facility type
2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
Consumption (kL)
150000
100000
5000
Refer to graph 4
0
Water restrictions commenced in November 2001.
The impact of restrictions on Council’s annual water
consumption is seen in the years 2001-2002 and
2004-2005 as consumption is lower than 2000-2001
even though annual rainfall was lower. A very dry
year in 2002-2003 resulted in an increase in water
use. This is likely to be due to increased playing field
maintenance.
Water demand decreases over the past five years
have occurred mainly in the areas of sports grounds,
swimming pools and recreation centres, which are
traditionally Council’s highest water consumers
(Graph 3).
Graph 4: Annual water consumption at
sportsgrounds vs rainfall
Consumption (kL)
160000
140000
120000
100000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Administration
Buildings
sportsground
(Source: Yarra Valley Water)
Child Care Centres
Annual consumption at sportsgrounds vs rainfall
rainfall
Community Centres
Cultural buildings
2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
Depots
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Rainfall (mm)
Toilets
Miscellaneous
Nurseries
Open Space
Sportsgrounds
Recreation Centres
Graphs 3 and 4 indicate that the majority of Council’s
water use occurs in sportsgrounds, swimming pools
and recreation centres. Sportsgrounds are by far
Council’s most significant water consumer, and have
not been included in Graph 3, purely because the
scale leaves trends in consumption at other facilities
undetectable.
The increased water consumption in 2002-2003 was
due to course improvement works on six fairways at
the Yarrambat Golf Course. These works required
watering in of the new couch fairways.
Sportsgrounds
Sportsgrounds are Council’s highest water user, they
were responsible for 55% of Council’s water use in
2000-2001. Water use on Council’s sportsgrounds
has decreased by 35,068 kilolitres or 33% over the
past five years. Water required on sportsgrounds,
and other open space areas, is dependant on rainfall
and other climatic conditions. During the past five
years, the annual rainfall dropped from 771 mm
in 2000-2001 to 716.5mm in 2005-2006, which
increased Council’s reliance on reticulated water
for irrigation.
In response to drought conditions, staged water
restrictions were introduced in 2001 by the Victorian
government. The impact of these restrictions on
water consumption is shown clearly in Graph 3, with
water consumption levels staying well below 2000-
2001 levels for the following years.
Residences
Shopping Centres
Swiiming Pools
Significant water savings can be made through
changes in irrigation practices, plant selection
and the use of alternative water sources such as
harvested stormwater.
The installation of warm season grasses at the Ben
Frilay playing field in Hurstbridge in 2006 will have
a significant impact on reducing Council’s water use
in this area. In addition, fairways at the Yarrambat
Golf Course have been replaced over a three year
program with warm season grass species.
The WaterSmart project is a significant project for
sportsgrounds in Nillumbik. The project targets four
playing fields and pavilions:
• Coventry Oval, Diamond Creek
• Eltham Central Oval
• Eltham North Reserve Soccer Oval
• Eltham North Oval.
The WaterSmart initiative involves five main
components:
• sportsground redevelopment
• stormwater and rainwater harvesting
• demonstration project/shared learning
• improved ground management
• promotion of water saving initiatives.
The project is expected to reduce potable water
consumption by 11.85 megalitres per year.
Swimming pools
Swimming pools are Council’s second highest water
user, consuming approximately 11% of Council’s
water use in 2000-2001. Maintenance of the pools
through backwashing and make-up water is the main
water usage at these facilities. Water use in pools
has decreased from 21,662 kilolitres in 2000-2001 to
16,928 kilolitres in 2005-2006, or 22% over the past
five years, although use has increased over the past
three years.
Swimming pool facilities include the Diamond Creek
Outdoor Swimming Pool and Eltham Leisure Centre.
Significant water savings at Diamond Creek and
Eltham Leisure Centre swimming pools have been
made through changes in cleaning practices, pool
maintenance procedures and the use of alternative
water sources such as harvested rainwater.
Recreation centres
Recreation centres are Council’s third highest water
using facility. Water usage in these facilities generally
occurs in the showers, toilets, kitchen and bar areas.
Recreation centres were responsible for 8% of
Council’s water usage in 2000-2001. Water use in
these facilities has decreased by 3,565 kilolitres or
22% over the past five years. Buildings included are
sports pavilions, bowling club rooms and sporting
complexes.
Significant water savings in recreation centres can
be made through the installation of water saving
appliances such as showerheads, AAA tap fittings,
dual flush toilets, waterless urinals and the use
of alternative water sources such as harvested
rainwater for toilet flushing.
16 Sustainable Water Management Plan Sustainable Water Management Plan