Sustainable Water Management Plan - Nillumbik Shire Council

Residential water consumption
Residential water use within the home typically
makes up 70% of the total water consumption,
although this will differ depending on the size of the
home, number of occupants and size of the garden.
Significant savings can be made by implementing
water saving initiatives in the garden and bathroom/
toilet facilities. Council will work closely with its water
retailer to implement community education and
behavior change programs targeting high water use
areas.
Graph 6: Community water use vs rainfall
Average water use per property (kL)
Average annual water use per property
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
residential non-residential rainfall
Rainfall (mm)
Graph 5: Breakdown of average water use
in the home
Bathroom
25%
Toilet
20%
Garden
30%
Kitchen
Laundry
15%
(Data Source: Yarra Valley Water and Bureau of Meteorology)
Graph 6 shows residential and non-residential water
use in comparison with annual rainfall. During the
past five years there has been a 20% reduction in
community reticulated water use throughout the
Shire.
10% Objective 1: To be a leader in sustainable water management.
There is currently little data available to ascertain
how much water is being consumed by those
properties that rely on non-reticulated water supply.
However when households rely solely on rainwater,
there is often a much greater consciousness to
reduce water usage.
Action Plan
The Action Plan is designed to ensure effective implementation of the Plan and will involve the community,
Council and external organisations. The Water Conservation Action Plan details actions Council and the
community can both take to ensure their own operations are water efficient.
Council action Priority Responsibility Partners
1.1 Develop and maintain a GIS layer with location and meter 2007 ID, EP and IT
number of water meters in all of Council’s buildings
and parks.
1.2 Source potential Sustainable Building Guidelines/checklist 2007 ID, PBS and EP DSE
for new and refurbished buildings.
and YVW
1.3 Update Council’s Green Purchasing Policy to specify the 2007 IM and EP
need to purchase water efficient appliances.
1.4 Update Council’s tender documents to include 2008 ID and EP
environmentally sustainable measures.
1.5 Develop a Water Sensitive Urban Design Strategy 2008 SP, ID and EP MW
for Council.
1.6 Incorporate Water Sensitive Urban Design elements in to 2007 ID, SP and EP MW
future upgrades and developments of Council buildings
and facilities.
1.7 Undertake sustainability training for staff to increase 2007 EP and HR
organisational capacity regarding sustainable water use.
1.8 Develop and implement water management plans for high 2008 LS and PM
water using sports grounds and facilities.
1.9 Develop and implement Water Harvest Plans for Council 2008 EP and IM MW, DSE
buildings. (develop) and FG
2009
(implement)
20 Sustainable Water Management Plan Sustainable Water Management Plan