Sustainable Water Management Plan - Nillumbik Shire Council

Glossary
base year
buffer strips
drought
The first year of data collection that is used as a measure of performance in
water conservation. The base year for this Water Strategy is 2000-2001.
A strip of vegetation between the edge of a stream and a land use activity,
designed to trap the overland flow that may contain pollutants.
Drought is a prolonged, abnormally dry period when there is not enough water
to sustain normal or expected needs. It may include lower then expected water
storage volumes in reservoirs and flows in rivers and creeks; and a higher then
expected demand for water caused by rising temperatures.
run-off
sewer mining
Water Campaign TM
The portion of precipitation on a surface that is discharged to drains.
The extraction of sewage for treatment and reuse on water intensive applications
such as irrigation of playing fields, municipal parks, gardens, pastures and
orchards. Solids are then returned to the sewage system for further processing.
Considerable work has already been undertaken to facilitate the safe use of
recycled water in Melbourne, this includes third pipe systems in residential
housing estates such as Aurora in Epping and for irrigation eg. trail by the City of
Melbourne for irrigation of King’s Domain.
The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) has provided
support for local governments to reduce water consumption and improve water
quality through the Water Campaign program.
A drought may last from six months to many years. Its impact depends on the
amount of water storage available from rainfall in the previous years.
The main cause of drought in Australia is thought to be El Nino. El Nino is the
warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. The warmer sea temperatures
cause a significant shift in weather patterns across the Pacific, often experienced
as drought in Australia and South East Asia. When El Nino is extreme enough it
can affect two-thirds of the globe with extreme droughts floods and other extreme
weather events such as cyclones. 14 Climate change is also thought to be another
reason for prolonged drought in parts of Australia.
wastewater
water reuse
Water Sensitive
Urban Design (WSUD)
The used water of the community, businesses or Council containing dissolved
and suspended matter. It is considered that wastewater is not a waste but a
resource that can be treated and recycled.
The use of water more than once, following treatment of waste water to an
appropriate quality standard and delivery to the point of use.
Design of sub-divisions, buildings and landscapes which enhance the
opportunities for at-source’ conservation of water, rainfall detention and use,
infiltration, and interception of pollutants in surface run-off from the block.
ESD
Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) is using, conserving and enhancing
the community’s resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends,
are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be
increased’ The National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development
(1992)
greywater
Household wastewater that has not come into contact with toilet waste.
It includes wastewater from bathtubs, showers, and bathroom basins.
Wastewater from washing machines and laundry tubs is not appropriate
if dirty nappies have been washed in the water.
Gross Pollutant Trap
(GPT)
A trap designed to incept sediments and litter and debris. GPTs may be
incorporated into inlet pits, collector drains or main drains.
groundwater
Water that is found below the surface, usually in porous rock or soil or in
underground aquifers.
impermeable surfaces
A surface which prevents infiltration of rainwater into the underlying soil
e.g. concrete.
indicators
Performance indicators that help to measure the effectiveness of achieving
sustainable outcomes.
riparian vegetation
Any vegetation on land which adjoins, directly influences or is influenced
by a body of water.
14
The Weather Makers (2005)
64 Sustainable Water Management Plan Sustainable Water Management Plan