This document discusses future directions for the water industry. It covers topics like the evolution of urban water systems, the triple bottom line of economics, environment and social impacts, and reasons for transitioning to more sustainable practices. These include population growth pressures on resources, learning from international experts, and assessing environmental impacts using tools like life cycle assessment. Yarra Valley Water's response involves moving to closed loop infrastructure and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Their strategic intent is to provide water and sewerage services that benefit customers and the environment, and lead the global water industry in sustainability.

1. FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN THE WATER
INDUSTRY
Tony Kelly Managing Director
Yarra Valley Water
August 2011

2. THE EVOLUTION OF URBAN WATER
Brown et al Monash University

3. THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
“The economy is dependent on
the environment
(for the provision of natural resources)
and
our standards of living are
dependent on the economy”
John Elkington

4. It follows……..
If we want to sustain our standards
of living we need to look after the
environment

5. WHY BOTHER?
GDP per capita ($US)
Ecological footprint

6. WHY BOTHER

7. WHY BOTHER – GREENHOUSE GAS
Global Comparisons - Per Person Emissions

8. WHY BOTHER – POPULATION GROWTH
IT TOOK MELBOURNE 100 YEARS TO REACH A POPULATION OF 1 MILLION
IT WILL TAKE ONLY 15 YEARS TO ADD ANOTHER 1 MILLION PEOPLE

9. WHY BOTHER?

10. BUILDING OUR UNDERSTANDING

11. LEARNING FROM INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS
Hunter Lovins Mathis Wackernagel
Jonathan Porritt
George Amory Lovins
Richard Ashley
Tchobanoglous
11

12. PARTNERING WITH PROGRESSIVE
WATER UTILITIES
Anglian Water UK
Yorkshire Water UK
Hamburg Wasser Germany
East Bay Municipal Utility District USA
Copenhagen Energy Denmark
Fraunhofer Institute Germany

13. PARTNERING WITH PROGRESSIVE
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS
CSIRO
RMIT Centre for Design
MAB
Stocklands
Melbourne Water
Vic Urban
City of Hume
City of Manningham
City of Murrindindi
City of Mooreland

14. OUR STRATEGIC INTENT
“Water Is Life”
Yarra Valley Water exists to provide water and sewerage
services that contribute to the health and well being of its
Customers and the Environment
We strive to lead the global water industry in serving the
Customer and the Environment.
Supported by
Our high performing business culture &
Continuously improving our efficiency.

15. TOOLS DEVELOPED OR ADAPTED
 Energy Maps
 Multi criteria Analysis
 Risk Management Framework
 Valuation of Externalities
 Life Cycle Assessment…….

16. ASSESSING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
USING LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT

17. YARRA VALLEY WATER’S RESPONSE
INFRASTRUCTURE
Moving from a Linear model to a closed loop

18. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Combined Water & Sewerage
Function Energy use
(kWhr/ML)
Water pumping station 40-450
Sewerage pumping station 140
Conventional water supply treatment 50
Recycled water treatment (membranes) 200
Dual membrane filtration plant 400
Wastewater treatment 500-1000
Household pressure pumps (for rainwater 230-3100
tanks)

19. VIDEO……………

20. YVW CONTRIBUTIONS
Trialling
Zero net 40% Self Imposed Developed a Melbourne
several
Greenhouse reduction in Nutrient cap lowest
alternative A Liveable
Gas per person on river community
sources of City
emissions water use discharges cost model
water

21. WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
 Maintenance of a water conservation ethic
Rigorous objective assessment of new supply options
Smaller ecological footprint
Affordable prices & safety nets for the vulnerable
Healthier rivers and Bays
Improved water supply security

22. YARRA
VALLEY
THANK YOU
WATER