Water conservation is important in South Australia due to the state's dry climate and increasing pressures on water resources from population growth and climate change. South Australia receives less rainfall than other parts of Australia and relies heavily on the Murray River for water supplies. If no action is taken, Adelaide's water supply may fail to meet health standards 40% of the time within 20 years. Conserving water helps maintain adequate water supplies for future generations and the environment. It also reduces costs by lessening the need for expensive infrastructure and salinity management projects.

1. Water
Conservation
Handbook
for Local Government

2. Water Conservation Partnership Project Acknowledgments
Department for Environment and Heritage
The Department for Environment and Heritage on behalf of
GPO Box 1047 Adelaide South Australia 5001
the project partners of the Water Conservation Partnership
Project (WCPP) would like to thank the following groups and
July 2005
individuals for their valuable contribution.
ISBN 0 7590 1055 2
Project Management Group:
Disclaimer Martin Allen (DWLBC)
The views contained in this handbook do not necessarily Marilla Barnes (SA Water)
represent those of the Department for Environment and Natasha Davis (NABCWMB)
Heritage or the South Australian Government or the partners Janet Inman (OCWMB)
engaged in the Water Conservation Partnership Project. Tanya Miller (Office of Sustainability, seconded from the City
of West Torrens)
The Water Conservation Partnership Project Stephen West (City of Burnside)
2000- 2004 partners were:
Consultants:
• Local Government Association of South Australia
Sustainable Focus Pty Ltd
(LGA)
11 Gething Crescent, Bowden SA 5007
• River Murray Urban Users Local Action Planning Tel (08) 8340 8666
Committee (RMUULAPC) Email info@sustainablefocus.com.au
• Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) Web www.sustainablefocus.com.au
• Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity
Conservation (DWLBC) Other contacts:
• Planning SA Jade Ballantyne (City of Holdfast Bay)
• SA Water Graham Brook (City of Tea Tree Gully)
• Torrens Catchment Water Management Board Ben Calder (City of Onkaparinga)
(TCWMB) Jeremy Cape (CSIRO)
• Patawalonga Catchment Water Management Board David Cooney and Graham Webster (Alexandrina Council)
(PCWMB) David Cunliffe (Department for Human Services)
• River Murray Catchment Water Management Board Trudi Duffield (Murray Darling Association)
(RMCWMB) Michael Howley (City of Unley)
Tim Kelly (SA Water)
• Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board
Jacob Kochergen (City of Mitcham)
(OCWMB)
David Lane (Streaky Bay District Council)
• Northern Adelaide and Barossa Catchment Water
Justin Lang (City of Campbelltown
Management Board (NABCWMB)
Rima Lauge-Christensen (Hornsby Shire Council
• CSIRO Marnie Lynch (City of Prospect)
• Natural Heritage Trust Rebecca Neumann (WaterWise)
John Salter (City of Adelaide)
Project Manager Verity Sanders (City of Port Adelaide Enfield)
Phil Donaldson Chris Tually (City of Unley)
Office of Sustainability Glen Williams (Adelaide Hills Council)
and many others.
The assistance of the Graphic Design Unit, Public Affairs
Branch (DEH) and the Murray Darling Association is
appreciated in the final production of the manual.

3. Foreword
The sustainable use of our water resources is crucial to The case studies contained in the Water Conservation
ensure that future generations will enjoy the same Handbook for Local Government demonstrate the
quality of life that we now enjoy. The stresses on the leadership shown by a number of councils in South
River Murray, a key water resource for Adelaide and Australia to reduce their own water use, and to provide
many South Australian country towns, and the pressure water conservation educational and incentive schemes
on water resources in the Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo for their communities. The Handbook sets out how
Island regions have become increasingly evident. councils can develop polices and plan for water
Rising water salinity, stressed water dependent conservation in their community and within council
ecosystems and increasing pollution in our coastal and operations. It provides an opportunity for each council
riverine environments are an indication of the impact in South Australia to mobilise resources to implement
we have had on our water resources. The potential for water conservation initiatives within its community.
climate change to alter rainfall in South Australia,
The Water Conservation Partnership Project (WCPP)
highlights the need for flexible and sustainable
partners have been responsible for the production of
management of our water resources.
this handbook. The WCPP (2000-2004) has been a
At the same time community expectations in relation to joint partnership between the Local Government
water are beginning to change. The community expects Association and local councils, the Department for
all levels of Government to assist in protecting water Environment and Heritage, the River Murray Urban
resources. The South Australian Government has Users Committee, the Department of Water Land and
introduced permanent water conservation measures for Biodiversity Conservation, Planning SA, SA Water,
the first time and embarked on a WaterCare community Patawalonga and Torrens Catchment Water
education campaign to increase awareness of the Management Boards, River Murray Catchment Water
precious nature of our water resources. The community Management Board, Onkaparinga Catchment Water
as a whole is beginning to accept an obligation on all Management Board, Northern Adelaide and Barossa
users to become efficient in their water use and to Catchment Water Management Board and the CSIRO.
reduce wasteful practices. It was funded through the Commonwealth’s Natural
Heritage Trust and with the assistance of the project
The Water Conservation Handbook for Local
partners.
Government is a recognition that all sections of the
South Australian community, including State and Local We recommend this handbook to everyone in South
Government, need to respect our water resources to Australia as an important resource to assist in
ensure the long term sustainability of the State. The community water conservation efforts. It is an
State Government, in response to this need, has excellant resource to focus councils on their efforts to
launched its Greening of Government (GoGO) policy use their water resources in their community in a
framework. The Government has eight priority areas sustainable way.
including water conservation and wastewater
management. GoGO gives a clear message that the
State Government is serious about managing the
environmental impacts of its own operations and the
sustainable use of water resources.
Hon John Hill MP Hon Karlene Maywald MP
Minister for Environment and Conservation Minister for the River Murray
Date 1st July 2005 Date 1st July 2005
Cr John Legoe Colin Hill
President of the Local Government Association of Chairman of the River Murray Urban Users Committee
South Australia
Date 1st July 2005
Date 1st July 2005
Water Conservation Handbook

4. Water Conservation Handbook i

5. Table of Contents
Welcome 1 SECTION 5
How can you implement the ideas in this How to conserve water in Council
Handbook? 1 operations 21
Where can you go for more information? 1 Introduction 21
Approaches 21
SECTION 1 A different approach – using an Energy and
Why worry about water? 3 Water Performance Contract 21
Why is water conservation important? 3 Planning sheet 1: Undertaking a Water Audit 23
Where does our water come from? 3 Planning sheet 2: Irrigation water use 25
Where is water used? 4 Planning sheet 3: Facility water use 29
What are the benefits of conserving water? 5 Planning sheet 4: Alternative supplies of water 31
How can we conserve water? 6 Planning sheet 5: Construction and refurbishments 35
SECTION 2 SECTION 6
What is happening in water conservation Community programs for water
internationally, nationally and in South conservation 37
Australia? 7 Introduction – Planning your community programs 37
The International context 7 Where are the largest savings in household
The Australian context 7 water use? 38
National Water Conservation Labelling How using logic can help with your planning 40
Scheme and the Water Services Association Describe and plan the program 42
of Australia (WSAA) 7 Options for water conservation activities 43
The South Australian context 8
Catchment Water Management Boards and SECTION 7
NRM Boards 9 References and contact details 49
Local Government 9 Resource materials included in Section 7 49
Contacts and resources 50
SECTION 3 References 50
Planning for water conservation 11
Introduction 11
Principles 11 Resources on CD
The Planning Process 12 Information sheets and resources developed for this
1. Developing your approach 12 handbook:
2. Preliminary approval 13 - Best practice water conservation principles
3. Investigation and data collection 13 - Rainwater tanks information sheet
4. Design 15 - Greywater systems information sheet
5. Implementation 15 - Home water self-audit worksheet and manual
6. Review – monitoring and evaluation 16 - Community program planning worksheet
Water Conservation Partnership Project 2003- 2004
SECTION 4 demonstration projects
Changing Council policies and plans 17 Australian and International case studies
Introduction 17 Other case studies
Strategic Management Plans 17 Materials
Development Plans 17
Internal policies and procedures 18
Stormwater 18
Council policies and plans related to
water management 20
Water Conservation Handbook ii

6. LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF TABLES
Figure 1 The natural water cycle 3 Table 1 Possible stakeholders in water
Figure 2 Human impacts on the water cycle 4 conservation 14
Figure 3 Regions in South Australia supplied Table 2 Estimated annual water use by
by the River Murray 5 dwelling type (1993) 39
Figure 4 Adelaide metropolitan water supply 5 Table 3 Indicative savings for using water
conservation methods or devices 40
Figure 5 Water use in South Australia 5
Table 4 Examples of incentive programs 44
Figure 6 The water conservation management
hierarchy 11 Table 5 Examples of education and
communication programs 46
Figure 7 Council policies and plans related to
water management 20
Figure 8 Example chart of water use at an
urban Council depot 23
Figure 9 Example breakdown of water use in
a Council office building 24
Figure 10 Unley Museum Rainwater Tanks
Project Demonstration Site 31
Figure 11 Aquifer Storage and Recovery 32
Figure 12 Laratinga wetlands 34
Figure 13 Typical household water use 37
Figure 14 Efficient household water use 38
Figure 15 Components of a basic program
logic model 41
Figure 16 Worked example – right-to-left
program logic model 41
Figure 17 Worked example – left-to-right
program logic model 42
iii Water Conservation Handbook

7. Welcome
This Handbook has been prepared as a water Where can you go for more
conservation resource for Local Government staff and
elected members. Whether you know a little or a lot
information?
about water conservation, this Handbook is designed to Section 7 can be found on the attached CD, It contains
assist you to: information about organisations that may be able to
1. understand why water conservation is important, help you with resources and advice in implementing
especially in South Australia (Section 1); water conservation programs. It includes information
sheets, a household water audit manual and other
2. understand what is happening in water
selected resource materials.
conservation – internationally, nationally and at a
state level (Section 2);
3. develop an overall water conservation plan
(Section 3);
4. alter Council policies and plans to assist water
conservation (Section 4);
5. improve Council operations so that they conserve
water (Section 5); and
6. undertake community programs in water
conservation (Section 6).
The Handbook is an outcome of the Water
Conservation Partnership Project 2000- 2004 (refer to
the inside of the front cover for a list of project
partners).
How can you implement the ideas
in this Handbook?
If you are new to water conservation, you might like to
read sections 1 and 2 to understand the issues
surrounding water conservation and the context for
Local Government water conservation programs.
Section 2 gives an overview of international, national,
State and regional initiatives, current legislation
relevant to water conservation and the context of water
conservation within the South Australian Local
Government Act.
If you have sufficient time and resources, it is best to
prepare a water conservation plan to cover Council
policies, operations and community education. Section
3 provides guidance on planning your approach to
water conservation. If you have limited time and
resources, you could focus on changing Council plans
and policies, as outlined in Section 4.
Saving water in Council operations will reduce your
Council’s water bills and the savings can be used in
turn to fund other programs. Section 5 provides
guidance for saving water in Council operations.
Section 6 is an overview of incentive and education
programs that Councils can run for the community.
Water Conservation Handbook 1

8. 2 Water Conservation Handbook

9. S E C T I O N
Why worry about water?
1
Why is water conservation water supply will fail World Health Organisation
Guidelines for drinking water on average 40% of the
important? time. The situation will be worse in areas that rely
Water is a precious resource that needs to be used solely on the River Murray for their water supply. In
wisely, especially in Australia, which is the driest addition, if action is not taken, increasing stream
inhabited continent on earth. At the moment we don’t salinity in the River Murray is projected to raise water
use water wisely; in fact, we use more water per person costs in South Australia by $17 million a year3. Major
than every other nation on earth, except for the United interventions such as dredging of the Murray Mouth,
States. In addition, salinity and deteriorating water salinity interception schemes and permanent water
quality are seriously affecting the sustainability of restrictions are contributing to the sustainable
Australia’s agricultural production, the conservation of management of our water resources.
biological diversity and the viability of our
infrastructure and regional communities (CoAG Conserving water is an effective way of maintaining an
Communique, see www.coag.gov.au/ for full details). adequate quality and quantity of water for the
environment and for future generations. Fortunately,
Conserving water is particularly important in South most people in South Australia recognise that water
Australia because it is the driest state in Australia. On quality and conservation are crucial issues. For
average, 48 per cent of Australia receives more than example, in a survey of residents of the West Torrens
300mm of rainfall each year, whereas only twelve per Council area, the 200 respondents rated water quality
cent of South Australia does1. As a comparison, the and water conservation as their primary and fourth
annual flow of the Murray–Darling River system carries issues of environmental concern (from sixteen options).
less water than the Amazon River does in one day2. These issues also rank highly in environmental
perspective surveys of South Australians undertaken by
The effects of our high levels of water use have been the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
dramatic. For example, currently the lower River
Murray effectively experiences drought conditions one Where does our water come from?
year in two, whereas before European arrival these
conditions only occurred once every twenty years. If Water circulates through the natural environment in a
nothing is done, reduced flows and increased salinity continuing cycle powered by the sun. This is known as
the water cycle and is shown in Figure 1.
will mean that within twenty years Adelaide’s main
FIGURE 1 The natural water cycle
CLOUD FORMATION SUN
CONDENSING WATER VAPOUR
SNOW PRECIPITATION
HAIL EVAPORATION FROM PRECIPITATION,
RAIN SURFACE WATER, RESPIRATION
SURFACE (ANIMALS), COMBUSTION (MACHINES),
RUNOFF TRANSPIRATION (PLANTS)
LAKES EVAPORATION
OCEAN CONTRIBUTES
INF ABOUT 80% OF TOTAL
I LT R A
GR TIO N WATER VAPOUR IN AIR
OU
ND
WA
TE RESERVOIRS OCEAN
R
SALT WATER
IMP INTRUSION
ERV
IOU
S LA
YER
Water Conservation Handbook 3

10. FIGURE 2 Human impacts on the water cycle
Many human activities impact significantly on the Rural and remote communities rely on a wide variety
water cycle. For example, clearing vegetation degrades of water sources including groundwater, small local
water quality through soil erosion and changes water dams, household rainwater tanks and water piped over
flow patterns because of altered rates of evaporation, many kilometres in regional pipeline systems.
transpiration and infiltration. Some human impacts on
the water cycle are shown in Figure 2 from Where is water used?
www.watercare.net.
South Australia uses water for irrigated agriculture,
South Australians receive their water from a number of manufacturing, domestic use, dryland farming and
major water supply systems, some of which rely on mining. Figure 52 on page 5 demonstrates where water
local water sources, but many of which rely on the is used in South Australia.
River Murray. In an average year, the River Murray
supplies almost half the State's urban water needs. In While 80 per cent of water used in the State is used for
dry years, the River Murray supplies up to 90 per cent irrigation, reducing water use by Local Government
of the State’s urban water needs. Major regions in and the community is important in that it shows we all
South Australia supplied by the River Murray are need to work together when asking irrigators to make
depicted in Figure 3. A recent offtake to the Barossa is efficiency improvements. Water conservation in the
not included. community provides many benefits in addition to water
resource conservation.
Adelaide is supplied via large pipelines from the River
Murray and from the Adelaide Hills Catchment area, as
shown on page 5 in Figure 45.
4 Water Conservation Handbook

11. FIGURE 3 Regions in South Australia supplied by FIGURE 4 Adelaide metropolitan water supply
the River Murray
What are the benefits of
conserving water?
There are benefits for Local Government across the
triple bottom line (economic, social and environmental)
from conserving water. FIGURE 5 Water use in South Australia
Economic
Conserving water within your own Council’s operations
can reduce water bills significantly – see Section 5
(page 21) for a case study. The implementation of
water conservation measures can also delay the need to
augment water supply and disposal infrastructure.
Social/community
Social and community benefits of water conservation
include the flow-on savings of reduced water bills (and
energy bills where hot water is conserved) to residents
and the conservation of water resources for future
generations (contributing to inter-generational equity).
In addition, water conservation ensures food and other
Irrigated agriculture 80%
goods can continue to be grown and manufactured at
current prices. Industry, manufacturing, services 6%
Dryland farming and rural living 4%
Water conservation improves people’s quality of life as Urban domestic water services 9%
it enables them to enjoy recreational activities such as
Mining 1%
fresh water fishing, boating and water sports.
By taking action on water conservation Local
Government can meet community expectations and
demonstrate local leadership.
Water Conservation Handbook 5

12. Environmental 2. Structural and operational measures
Conserving water helps to improve environmental Three types of structural measures for water
flows in our rivers and reduces demand on conservation exist:
groundwater sources. This in turn improves river and
• the use of more water efficient plumbing fixtures in
ecosystem health and groundwater quality, decreases
buildings and within the water supply system;
salinity and maintains biodiversity. Conserving water
also has end-of-pipe benefits for the environment. For • more efficient use of water outdoors; and
example: • access to alternative water sources such as reuse,
rainwater and groundwater.
• reducing indoor water usage decreases sewage
volumes, leading to a reduction in treated and
Local Government can demonstrate leadership by
untreated effluent discharges to water bodies; and
improving the performance of its own operations.
Refer to Section 5 for further information about
• capture and use of rainwater reduces stormwater improving water conservation in Council operations.
volumes, leading to reduced volumes of street run­
off. This may reduce flooding, erosion and 3. Community programs – education and
environmental damage to our streams and coastal incentives
waters. Education and incentive schemes can be used by Local
Government to encourage the uptake of water
Conserving water can also help to reduce greenhouse conservation practices and technologies, see Section 6
gas emissions. In addition to the energy saved from for further information.
reduced use of hot water, electricity use and associated
greenhouse gas emissions are reduced because less 4. Economic instruments
water is being pumped from the River Murray to urban Economic instruments are market-based mechanisms
areas in South Australia. Currently, the energy required such as pricing, tradeable property rights and economic
to do this is 906 kWh/Ml (three times the Australian or enforcement incentives to encourage water users to
average) and the associated greenhouse emissions are modify their behaviour to achieve sustainability.
in excess of 200 000 tonnes per annum (this is Economic instruments can be established by Federal
equivalent to the annual emissions from 40 000 cars)8. and State Governments and water utilities, and are
seldom used by Local Government.
How can we conserve water?
Overall, Local Government has an important role in
Councils are increasingly being encouraged by their facilitating water conservation as it is:
communities to address water conservation as a priority
environmental issue. Conserving water means using • responsible for the provision of infrastructure and
water resources more wisely. In the water industry this services;
is known as ‘demand management’. Demand • responsible for local environmental management
management can often be undertaken without changing and regulation; and
the way we live or dramatically changing our lifestyles. • able to provide opportunities for local education,
Four major types of demand management instruments public participation and local action.
exist to encourage water conservation.
NOTE:
1. Regulatory instruments
The State and Federal Governments have a role in
regulation through methods such as mandatory A national mandatory water efficiency labelling
labelling of the water efficiency of appliances and and standards scheme is likely to be in operation
restricting the sale of non-water efficient devices. from 1 July 2005.
There are various regulatory methods that Local
Government can use to encourage water conservation, The scheme will ensure consumers have
see Section 4 (page 17). South Australia has in place knowledge about water efficiency of domestic
the capacity to introduce water restrictions which products, such as dishwashers, taps, shower
permit or prohibit certain water use behaviour, see systems and washing machines in the first
Section 4 for details instance.
6 Water Conservation Handbook

13. S E C T I O N
What is happening in water
2
conservation internationally,
nationally and in South Australia?
The international context These have included charging for the full cost of
supplying water, creating a market to allow the
Conserving water is one of the many challenges for water to move to higher value crops or uses, and
humanity in moving towards sustainability. At an separating the regulatory and supply functions of
international level, there have been a number of water management agencies. Since 1996, there
agreements and events that have focused on the has been some progress in most states and
importance of water conservation including: territories. Reforms are not yet fully and
• the UN Conference on the Human Environment equitably implemented, however. For example -
(Stockholm, 1972); users of urban water largely meet the
environmental costs of urban water supply in
• the International Drinking Water Supply and
most states and territories, but the costs of rural
Sanitation Decade launch (Mar del Plata, 1977);
water generally do not account for the full
• the World Conference on Water and the environmental cost of extraction. For details go
Environment (Dublin, 1992); to www.deh.gov.au/soe/2001/water.html.
• the UNCED Earth Summit - Agenda 21 (Rio de
Janeiro, 1992); In 2002, a Senate Inquiry into Australia's Urban Water
• the Drinking Water and Environmental Sanitation Management made recommendations for
Conference on the Implementation of Agenda 21 Commonwealth-led reform of urban water management
(Noordwijk, Meeting of Ministers, 1994); in Australia. The Senate Report 'The Value of Water' is
available at www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/
• the Global Water Partnership meeting (Stockholm,
ecita_ctte/water/report/contents.htm.
1996);
• the 1st World Water Forum of the World Water At its meeting on June 25 2004, COAG agreed to a
Council (Marrakesh, 1997); National Water Initiative (NWI), covering a range of
• the World Summit (Johannesburg, 2002); and areas in which greater compatability and the adoption
• the 3rd World Water Forum (Japan, 2003). of best practice approaches to water management
nationally will bring substantial benefits. Key elements
The Australian context of the NWI include the return of over allocated systems
to sustainable levels and actions to better manage water
The Commonwealth Government has a limited role in demand in urban areas.
water conservation, as resource issues are generally the www.coag.gov.au/meetings/250604
jurisdiction of State and Local Governments. In
February 1994, the Council of Australian Governments A potentially powerful regulatory role for the
(COAG) consisting of the Prime Minister, Premiers, Commonwealth Government and its agencies is the
Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Building Code of Australia (BCA), which can be used
Local Government Association agreed to implement a as a significant tool to ensure water efficient appliances
‘strategic framework to achieve an efficient and are standard in new buildings. For example, under the
sustainable water industry’. BCA only dual-flush cisterns can now be installed in
Australia.
The COAG Water Reform Framework aims to
improve water management and to ensure that
the extraction of water is sustainable.
Governments have introduced a range of reforms
to the water industry (see
www.deh.gov.au/water/policy/coag.html
Water Conservation Handbook 7

14. National Water Conservation
The Waste Control Regulations come into effect in
Labelling Scheme and the Water those areas where the SA Water Corporation's sewage
Services Association of Australia services are not available. About one third of South
Australians (400 000 people) are serviced by
Many water efficient products are rated under a
wastewater systems administered under the Waste
National Water Conservation Labelling Scheme
Control Regulations. The Waste Control Regulations
administered by the Water Services Association of
are administered by Local Government or authorised
Australia (WSAA). Under the scheme products can be
officers of the Department of Health with delegated
labelled from ‘A’ (a moderate water efficiency rating)
authority from the Minister of Health, depending on
to ‘AAAAA’ (the best rating of all). Many products are
the type of system. For details refer to
available that are rated at least ‘AAA’.
www.dh.sa.gov.au/pehs/branches/wastewater/wastewate
r-legis.htm
These include showerheads, washing machines, toilet
All public water supplies (including communal
suites, flow restrictors and some other appliances and
rainwater tanks) are subject to the Food Act and
fixtures. A listing of products certified under the
Regulations.
Scheme is available on the WSAA website
www.wsaa. asn.au.
Refer to Section 7 for further contact details.
Water supply and treatment
Water supply and infrastructure in South Australia is
The Department of Environment and Heritage managed by SA Water. There are some exceptions
(Commonwealth Government Department) will where water is supplied by private companies, for
introduce a national mandatory water efficiency example at Skye, Coober Pedy, Leigh Creek, Woomera
labelling and minimum water efficiency standards and Roxby Downs. In turn, rainwater tanks are
(WELS) for domestic appliances, fixtures and fittings managed by individual householders or businesses.
as a method of reducing urban water consumption. See
www.deh.gov.au/water/urban/final-report.html for SA Water manages the bulk of the state’s reticulation
details. systems, especially in the metropolitan area and large
country towns. There are some private reticulation
systems in smaller country towns (e.g. Weeroona
The South Australian context
Island).
Legislation
The Water Resources Act 1997 sets the legislative SA Water also manages the bulk of SA's wastewater
framework in South Australia for water resource treatment. There are some private wastewater treatment
management. It includes a requirement for the State and re-use schemes and many smaller country areas
Government to prepare and keep an up-to-date State have septic tank effluent disposal system (STEDS)
Water Plan (the current plan was released in September schemes operated by Councils. In country areas many
2000) and provides the powers for the creation of households and businesses have individual on-site
Catchment Water Management Boards with delegated wastewater treatment systems.
authority to prepare Catchment Water Management
Plans. Other Acts which contain provisions relevant to Stormwater infrastructure is managed by local
water management include the Environment Protection Councils. Refer to Section 4 for details.
Act 1993 (water pollution), Sewerage Act 1929,
Waterworks Act (restrictions) and the Public and State Government bodies and partnerships
Environmental Health Act 1987 (sanitation and The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity
drainage). The Natural Resources Management Act Conservation (DWLBC) is the principal Department
2004, has recently been passed which will eventually which assists the Minister responsible for the
replace the Water Resouces Act 1997 and allow for the administration of the South Australian Water Resources
development to Natural Resource Management Boards Act 1997. Through effective administration of the Act,
instead. the Department seeks to encourage use of water for its
highest and best return within sustainable limits.
The safe collection, treatment and disposal of non­
industrial wastewater (sewage and wastewater of The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regulates
domestic origin) is managed in South Australia under and prosecutes for water pollution activities and also
the Sewerage Act administered by SA Water or the provides water education programs for business and the
Public and Environmental Health Act (Waste Control community including Codes of Practice for Stormwater
Regulations) 1995. Pollution Prevention.
8 Water Conservation Handbook

15. SA Water is a corporation wholly owned by the Adelaide Hills catchments and groundwater resources
Government of South Australia (with United Water also face competition for water from the various water
and United Utilities as subcontractors) responsible for using sectors. The second issue is Adelaide’s increasing
reticulated water supply, wastewater treatment and thirst.
infrastructure throughout much of South Australia.
Although South Australia is at the forefront of water
Planning SA is a State Government agency, part of the conservation and reuse initiatives, in the absence of
Department of Transport and Urban Planning, further action, as foreshadoweed in the draft Water
responsible for guiding and administering the South Proofing Adelaide strategy - the trend of increasing
Australian Planning and Development Assessment demand for water in Adelaide would be expected to
System. Planning SA has developed a Stormwater continue. The Water Proofing Adelaide document
Plan Amendment Report and guidelines for Local provides strategies for ensuring our water supplies are
Government, as well as information on good sustainable well into the future through better land
residential design and planning frameworks. management and in developing alternative water
supplies
The Environmental Health Service of the Department For more information go to:
of Health provides a range of scientific, engineering www.waterproofingadelaide.sa.gov.au
and technical services related to public and
environmental health, specifically in the areas of Catchment Water Management
drinking water (including rainwater), sanitation and Boards and NRM Boards
wastewater management. This includes administration
of the Waste Control Regulations, assessment and The Catchment Water Management Boards (River
approvals for wastewater systems and reclaimed water Murray, Patawalonga, Torrens, Northern Adelaide and
re-use systems, and support for Local Government in Barossa, Arid Areas, South East, Eyre Peninsula and
the administration of the Public and Environmental Onkaparinga) have three main legislative functions:
Health Act and Regulations. • to prepare and implement Catchment Water
Management Plans;
The River Murray Urban Users (RMUU) Group is a
• to provide advice to the Minister and Councils about
local action planning group addressing natural
water resource management; and
resource management issues in the Murray-Darling
Basin in South Australia, to help to preserve and • to promote awareness and involvement in best
restore the health of the River Murray. The RMUU practice water management.
Group target area is all of the regions outside the
Murray-Darling Basin that receive piped River Catchment Boards may fund or part-fund stormwater
Murray water in South Australia. pollution prevention officers in their areas. For more
information on Catchment Water Management Boards
The Water Conservation Partnership Project (WCPP) visit www.catchments.net.
(1999–2004) was administered by the Department for
Environment and Heritage on behalf of a number of The system of Catchment Management Boards is being
State, Local Government and community revised and will be replaced with Regional Natural
stakeholders. The Project aimed to reduce urban Resource Management (NRM) Boards - which will
dependency on River Murray water in the RMUU produce Natural Resources Management Plans for their
region by increasing water use efficiency and the respective regions. A NRM Reform Unit has been
sustainable use of alternative water supplies. Twelve established by the State Government within the
Local Government and community based pilot water Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity
conservation education and incentive projects and Conservation to implement the NRM Integration
demonstration sites, a symposium and several studies Project. For more details, see
and publications were funded. www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/nrm_reform/.
Water Proofing Adelaide is a South Australian Local Government
Government initiative that seeks to establish a
blueprint for the management, conservation and The important role of Local Government in promoting
development of Adelaide’s water resources to 2025. sustainability initiatives is acknowledged through the
Adelaide faces several significant issues. The first is Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment,
the escalating risks facing our environment. The River Local Agenda 21 and the following sections of the
Murray, which we rely heavily for our mains water in Local Government Act 1999:
South Australia, is under continued stress as is the
Water Conservation Handbook 9

16. Principal role of Councils
Section 6 (b) outlines Council’s roles to provide and The ICLEI Water Campaign is based on the Local
co-ordinate various public services and facilities, and Government water code known as The Lisbon
to develop its community and resources, in a socially Principles. Further information on the Water Campaign
just and ecologically sustainable manner. is available in Section 7 (on CD).
Functions of Councils
Section 7 (e) outlines Council’s functions to manage, For more information go to www.iclei.org/water.
develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the
environment in an ecologically sustainable manner.
Objectives of Councils
Section 8 (d) outlines Council’s objectives to give due
weight in all its plans, policies and activities to
regional, State and national objectives and strategies
concerning the economic, social, physical and
environmental development and management of the
community.
Section 8 (f) outlines Council’s objectives to encourage
sustainable development and the protection of the
environment and to ensure a proper balance within its
community between economic, social, environmental
and cultural considerations.
A Statement of Joint Intent (SOJI) can be used to
support the development of partnerships in Local
Government to undertake water conservation
initiatives. A sample SOJI is included in Section 7.
The International Council of Local Environmental
Initiatives (ICLEI) has developed a new program for
Councils, the ICLEI Water Campaign. ICLEI will build
on the work of the WCPP to facilitate councils
undertaking the ICLEI Water Campaign.
The Water Campaign provides Local
Governments with a framework for addressing
their unique local water management concerns
while contributing to an international effort to
mitigate the current global water crisis. It was
developed in response to the mandate that ICLEI
was given by its membership in 1995 to develop
an international campaign focusing on water.
The Water Campaign focuses on the need to
improve dialogue between water managers and
water users. This dialogue begins with improved
water management within Local Government
itself, and extends to the community and the
watershed area. Improving Local Government
service delivery places value on community input
and participation. This participatory approach to
water management recognises that modern water
management solutions are increasingly non-
technical in their emphasis.
10 Water Conservation Handbook

17. S E C T I O N
Planning for water conservation
3
Introduction First Principle – Avoid
This principle seeks to encourage, where possible, the
This Section provides some guidance on planning your
use of waterless options where they exist. This is
approach to water conservation. If you have the time
achieved through the use of alternative techniques to
and resources, it is best to develop a comprehensive
reduce dependency on reticulated water such as
water conservation plan, including changing Council
sweeping paths and pavements, instead of hosing them,
policies and plans, improving Council operations and
and using dry composting toilets.
undertaking community programs. You can use the
planning framework provided here to develop your
Second Principle – Reduce
plan.
This principle seeks to reduce the amount of water use
If you only have limited time and resources, start with through:
some targeted initiatives that you can build into • water efficient building and garden design which
existing programs. You can use parts of the planning can be achieved through practices such as
framework provided to design these initiatives. appropriate plant selection with preference to local
indigenous species and efficient irrigation practices;
Principles • the efficient use of locally collected and alternative
water supplies, for example collecting and using
The Water Conservation Partnership Project worked
rainwater for irrigation and internal building
with Local Government to develop the five Best
purposes;
Practice Water Conservation Principles. These are
based on the waste management hierarchy (avoid, • the installation of water efficient devices, such as
reduce, re-use, recycle and disposal). Understanding low flow showerheads, dual flush toilets, low flow
the Principles may be useful in developing your taps and front-loading washing machines; and
Council’s approach to water conservation, they are • adopting ‘water conservation management
outlined in Figure 6. practices’ that educate residents and Council staff.
FIGURE 6 The water conservation management hierarchy
AVOID WATER USE
Where possible avoid use of water where waterless options exist
REDUCE WATER USE
Reduce water use through the sustainable use of alternative water supplies
and through reducing the amount of water used from reticulated supply
RECYCLE WATER
Recycling treated wastewater originating from
reticulated supply
DISPOSAL OF WATER
Disposal of un-recycled or untreatable
FEEDBACK AND
wastewater in an appropriate manner
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
so as not to cause detrimental
A continuous feedback loop
impact on the receiving
on Council's implementation
environment
of water conservation initiatives
leading to adaptive management
Water Conservation Handbook 11

18. Third Principle – Recycle 1. Developing your approach
This principle seeks to use wastewater or reclaimed
This part of the planning process will determine your
water from one application such as wastewater
overall approach to water conservation.
treatment for another application. When using recycled
water, Councils must ensure that they comply with the What is the context for water conservation
Environment Protection Policy 2003 (Water Quality).
in your Council?
The water conservation initiatives you decide to
Fourth Principle – Disposal
develop and implement will depend on many factors
This principle seeks to ensure that the disposal of water
including the location of your Council, the level of
or treated wastewater that is not recycled or reused
senior management support for water conservation
does not cause degradation of catchment, coastal,
initiatives and the funding available. It is worth
marine or terrestrial environments. This principle
considering your Council’s context by thinking about
should be employed as a last resort.
questions such as:
Feedback and Adaptive Management • is water conservation important in your Council?
Feedback and adaptive management is a continuous • how is water conservation incorporated into existing
approach used by Councils in determining the success Council plans and operations (if at all)?
of implementation of the best practice principles. • are there any specific drivers or anticipated
circumstances that will heighten the importance of
Refer to Section 7 on the CD for a full description of water conservation in your Council?
the Best Practice Water Conservation Principles. • can you realise any synergies between delivering
stated Council objectives (such as Strategic Goals)
The Planning Process and water conservation initiatives?
Developing a plan for your Council’s approach to • how can Council address the different levels of
water conservation will assist you to take a strategic water restriction?
and systematic approach to the business of saving
water. Your plan will help you to gain support for water Some of the drivers for promoting water conservation
conservation initiatives within your Council and the at your Council might include:
community and to achieve the most significant • water supply security and/or reliability;
outcomes possible given your level of resources. A • constraints on water treatment/supply, wastewater
well-developed plan will help to establish shared treatment, peak demand (i.e. the demand for water
expectations, roles and responsibilities and generate on hot, dry days);
ownership.
• flood mitigation through stormwater detention;
It is useful to consider your plan as a ‘living’ • community service (e.g. through the provision of
document. A good plan is reviewed and modified on a information and low-cost products and services to
regular basis and used to report on progress, highlight householders);
successes and identify areas for improvement. • water quality issues;
The following generic planning process is suitable for a • drought response/management; and
comprehensive water conservation plan, but the areas • demonstrating Council’s commitment to sustainable
of emphasis and level of detail that you put into your development.
plan will depend on the size and structure of your
Council, the available funds and human resources and It is valuable to identify where water conservation may
your particular water conservation goals. You may wish link to, or generate benefits for, other programs,
to refer to more specific approaches such as the initiatives or objectives being implemented by your
implementation of the Best Practice Water Council (for example, greenhouse programs, such as
Conservation Principles or the ICLEI Water Campaign. Cities for Climate Protection, community
environmental education programs or infrastructure
upgrades). This will increase both opportunities for
support and funding for water conservation initiatives.
Where will your approach to water conservation within
the Council exist?
12 Water Conservation Handbook

19. You need to decide whether you will develop a 3. Investigation and data
separate water conservation plan or whether you will
integrate water conservation into other Council
collection
planning processes. For example, your approach to This stage of the planning process provides the
water conservation could be integrated into your structure and background that will help you select and
Environmental Management Plan. develop specific programs.
Assess resources Develop an overview of water
At this stage you should make a preliminary conservation initiatives
assessment of the human and financial resources that You can learn a lot from water conservation programs
are likely to be available for Water Conservation Plans that have been undertaken elsewhere. You will find
and initiatives. This is where you can begin to case studies throughout this Handbook and you can use
understand the scope of your plan. your Local Government networks. However, each
Council is unique and you should also investigate what
2. Preliminary approval has already been done within your Council. This will
be important for maintaining your credibility within
This stage of the planning process outlines what you Council.
will need to consider in seeking approval for your
approach to water conservation. Collect data
In planning your approach to water conservation it is
Identify internal partners crucial to understand how much water is used, where,
Developing and implementing water conservation by whom and how. Council water use data is available
initiatives by yourself is hard work. If possible you from SA Water – refer to Section 5 (page 23) for
should identify members of staff to work with. This details. Water data specific to your Council can be
could include, for example: broken down into residential, non-residential and
commercial sectors. The non-residential data includes
• a member of senior management (or an elected
Council, State Government and industrial water use.
member) with a genuine level of commitment to
supporting water conservation initiatives; or
Relevant data to collect might include:
• a cross-functional team of Council staff who can
work with you to develop and implement water • average household usage (indoor and outdoor, or by
conservation initiatives across Council and within end-use);
the community. • Council consumption (buildings, facilities, parks and
grounds);
Create a business case for involvement • population growth and the projected demand for
To obtain approval for developing and implementing water (and possible implications);
your approach to water conservation you may need to • other Council information: demographics, area, etc;
put together a business case for Council senior
• water supply source(s) cost of water, groundwater
management (and elected members) stating the broad
information etc.;
goals of the Water Conservation Plan and the resources
that will be required. • wastewater treatment, recycling, effluent discharges,
water quality, costs; and
Gain approval to proceed • stormwater volumes, infrastructure costs, upgrade
Depending on the scope of your plan you may need requirements etc.
approval and commitment from senior management
(and possibly elected members). This could include: It is important to identify the usage by sector in each
Council, so that the right priorities are targeted. For
• formal approval of staff-time to work on the project; example in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, two
• initial funding to undertake any investigations thirds of water consumption is by the commercial and
required; and industrial sectors, so education programs focussed
• a commitment to invest in identified projects (within purely on residential use may have minimal impact on
agreed capital costs and returns on investment, water consumption.
where appropriate).
Once you have collected this data you can start to
Without this commitment, initial time and funds may identify water conservation opportunities that will be
be wasted. most effective and give ‘value for money’.
Water Conservation Handbook 13

20. For example, if outdoor water use in your area is high, Select and design water conservation
then a program targeted at this will have the greatest initiatives
potential for saving water. Current consumption data The range of water conservation programs are outlined
may also be necessary for setting and monitoring as follows:
targets.
1. Changing Council plans and policies – refer to
Work with stakeholders Section 4 (page 17 ) for details.
2. Saving water in Council operations – refer to
The value of your plan, and the success of its
Section 5 (page 21) for details.
implementation, will be strengthened by involving the
3. Community programs – refer to Section 6 (page 37)
community and other stakeholders in its development.
for details.
This involvement is the key to capacity building, which
will support, promote, contribute to and sustain your
When reviewing and selecting programs, assess which
Water Conservation Plan. The effort you put into
are most strategic for your Council in terms of:
involving stakeholders will depend on the scope of
your plan. • links to your Strategic/Corporate Plan;
• achieving significant reductions in water use;
It will be important to include some stakeholder groups
• the provision of community services;
directly in the process, while others may just be kept
informed. Potential stakeholders to include in the • establishing partnerships with government bodies
development of your plan are outlined in Table 1. and the private sector; and
• promoting your Council as responsible.
Understanding stakeholders is critical to designing and
implementing appropriate and effective water The most effective Water Conservation Plans are
conservation programs. This involves understanding generally implemented through a variety of program
who will influence the implementation of your Plan, types. If you have limited resources, it is best to focus
their level of understanding, values, perception and on one or two initial programs.
practices in relation to water conservation, and how
you can ensure they support your goals. Gathering
knowledge about your community is explored further
in Section 6.
TABLE 1 Possible stakeholders in water conservation
Staff and elected members Community representatives
• Management, staff and elected members • Local environment groups & branches of
• Finance, corporate support, grounds staff, State/National groups
property and facilities management, • Schools
procurement etc • Education (e.g. TAFE)
• Community groups (e.g. Lions Club, Rotary)
• Catchment groups
Private sector Government bodies
• Council’s contractors • Water suppliers (wholesale and retail) (SA Water)
• Local retailers of water using products (e.g. nurseries, • State Government agencies (Department for
garden supplies & irrigation equipment specialists) Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation etc)
• Hardware retail outlets • Federal Government agencies (Environment
• Electrical retail outlets (e.g. washing machines, Australia, Australian Greenhouse Office etc)
dishwashers) • Catchment Water Management Boards
• Manufacturers / importers of water using
products
• Landscape businesses
• Local builders and developers
• Energy suppliers
14 Water Conservation Handbook

21. CASE STUDY:
Rous Water
Rous Water, a bulk water supplier in northern The program was so successful that some outlets
NSW, initiated a program offering householders a produced their own promotional material,
$150 rebate on the purchase of a water efficient including window displays, or supplemented the
front loading washing machine with an energy offer with additional ‘cash back’ on some brands.
rating of four stars or above. The program was run Since the start of the program there has been
in partnership with the NSW Sustainable Energy interest from both washing machine manufacturers
Development Authority and the local energy and retailers to join the partnership and contribute
provider NorthPower, with each contributing $50 to the rebate. For further information contact John
to the rebate. Local electrical goods retail outlets Rutledge on (02) 6621 8055.
participated in the program.
4. Design 5. Implementation
At this stage of the planning process you can fully This is the important part! Your plan should provide
develop specific water conservation initiatives. you with the steps to follow through the
implementation phase. However, during the
Do a detailed design implementation phase you will most likely need to
Refer to Sections 4, 5 and 6 for details on changing adjust your plan to take advantages of opportunities as
Council policies and plans, improving Council they arise and to manage unforeseen events.
operations and undertaking community programs
respectively. Choose the programs that will suit your Remember that implementing your plan is what you
circumstances and adapt them to the resources and should spend most of your time doing. It is important
context of your Council. to find the right balance between planning and action.
Set targets It is likely that your Council will already have
management systems or processes in place, and you
Targets specific to each initiative may be set. Targets
should integrate your plan with these where possible.
should be SMART:
Specific: clearly state what you aim to achieve.
Manage and review data
Measurable: ensure that the data is available and that
Data management is the most commonly neglected part
systems are in place to manage the data.
of water conservation programs. It is crucial to set up a
Achievable: assess if it is possible to meet the goal
tailored data management system that collects water
with the available resources and timeframe.
use data as it is generated, to monitor the success of
Realistic: set targets that are possible to achieve for the
water conservation initiatives.
type of program you are implementing.
Timely: set a timeframe for achieving each target and
The water use data should be reviewed regularly to:
goal, and monitor on a regular basis.
• ensure that water conservation initiatives that have
Seek formal approval been implemented are meeting their predicted
savings; and
At this stage you may need to seek approval to expend
funds on the delivery of the Water Conservation Plan • identify any unexpected changes in use as this
Plan. You should have enough information by this enables quick rectification if required (for example,
stage to provide costs, benefits and a detailed plan. You if there are system leaks).
may also be able to apply for external funding through
the Office of Local Government, Local Government When analysing water use data, you will need to take
Association, National Heritage Trust, Community climate variability and varied usage patterns into
Development Grants, Catchment Water Management account. Water savings may not be reflected initially in
Boards (or NRM Boards) etc. the water use data. For example, if you implement
water saving initiatives during an unusually hot year
(as in 2002), consumption may appear to increase
when water is still being saved relatively speaking
Water Conservation Handbook 15

22. because consumption would have been even higher if There are several ways to assess the effectiveness of
you had done nothing. It is possible to correct your water conservation programs, including:
data for climate and usage variations, but this is not
• surveys, questionnaires and feedback forms;
straightforward and you should seek professional
assistance if this is of interest to you. • statistical analysis;
• cost-benefit analysis;
It is crucial to manage your data well (both in terms of • participation (or uptake) rates; and
water and budgets) in order to demonstrate savings to • the amount of positive publicity received.
management and elected members.
It is critical to identify early in the planning process
Manage roles and responsibilities what information or data will need to be collected or
To generate shared expectations and ownership it is maintained in order to monitor the effectiveness of
important to define the roles and responsibilities of programs. It is better to gather more information than
Council staff and management, and other stakeholders less, as it is often impossible to collect it after the
involved in your Water Conservation Plan. Defining program has finished.
roles and responsibilities also strengthens commitment
through a sense of accountability. Celebrate! And communicate your success
In conducting programs for water conservation, it is
Communication is crucial important to celebrate your successes.
Regular updates should be provided to management,
elected members, staff, stakeholders and the Communicate the success of your programs through
community to inform them about progress. These Council internal and external processes, for example:
updates can go beyond reports and be in the form of
• Council internal newsletters or via an internal email;
staff training and site visits.
• at a Council meeting or committee meeting (for
When addressing communication issues, consider not example, the environment committee);
only what information needs to be communicated, but • Council’s state of the environment report (if you
also the audience, the most appropriate communication have one);
media (e.g. newsletters, email) and necessary frequency. • meetings with managers and/or directors;
• your Council’s page in local newspapers;
6. Review – monitoring and • on Council’s web page;
evaluation • at Council stalls at festivals and fairs; and
Monitoring your plan and individual programs is • public events with the media (for example, when
essential to ensure you are on track to meeting goals new rainwater tanks are installed in community
and targets. It ensures that all the hard work of facilities).
designing and implementing water conservation
initiatives is generating benefits, as well as providing You could also ask any stakeholders, sponsors or
an opportunity to fine-tune and improve programs. In community groups to include information on the
some instances, particularly for larger, more costly program in their newsletters and publications as well as
programs, it may be appropriate to seek an independent, display information in libraries and customer service
specialist evaluation. centres.
Program evaluation can be used to:
• influence elected members, senior management and
other Council staff, and funding bodies;
• build community capacity and engage communities;
• communicate about your successes or failures;
• ensure accountability for your work; and
• reflect on and improve the program.
Plan your evaluation and monitoring at the outset,
otherwise you may not be able to get the data or
information you need.
16 Water Conservation Handbook

23. S E C T I O N
Changing Council policies
4
and plans
Introduction Regular reviews of Councils’ Development Plans are
required to be undertaken, via ‘Section 30 Reviews’
One of the most effective mechanisms to achieve and under the Development Act 1993. Councils can prepare
promote water conservation outcomes in the broader Plan Amendment Reports (PARs) to update or amend
community is via the various regulatory, planning and each Plan, based on detailed investigations and
policy tools that Councils are responsible for consultations with the broad community. Where it is
developing and administering. Water conservation can identified that water conservation has become an issue
be integrated into existing frameworks through to be incorporated into planning policy, each Council
Strategic Management Plans, Development Plans and can, via a PAR, include appropriate planning
internal policies and operations. provisions in its Plan to promote or mandate particular
water conservation strategies that are appropriate for its
Understanding your Council’s corporate and Council area. These provisions can then be applied to
community water consumption, relevant legislation, new developments in the Council area. Encouraging
demographics and community opinion will help you to water sensitive urban design is an important issue for
provide justification for changes to your Council’s Local Government.
policies and plans.
Planning provisions to reduce water (and energy)
Figure 7 on page 20 depicts a typical Council Strategic consumption through the planning and regulatory
and Policy structure. It may be useful to draw this framework may include requiring or encouraging well-
diagram for your organisation and consider the changes designed rainwater collection systems in new
necessary to facilitate water conservation. developments, and requiring existing buildings that are
being renovated to be fitted with water efficient
Strategic Management Plans devices. The Building Code of Australia is also an
important tool, particularly regarding the provision of
All Councils are required by the Local Government Act water efficient fittings in new buildings, such as the
1999 to prepare Strategic Management Plans, that standard requirement for dual flush toilets.
should provide direction and accountability in Council
achieving its functions and responsibilities under the The State Government can prepare a Ministerial PAR
Act. These functions include ‘to manage, develop, that will, on adoption, be applied to all or selected
protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment Council Development Plans in a synchronised way
in an ecologically sustainable manner’, and to ‘seek to across the State.
facilitate sustainable development and the protection of
the environment’. Environmental and natural resource CASE STUDY:
management issues (including water conservation) are Marrickville City Council (NSW)
now a core statutory focus for Councils, and should be
reflected in Council’s strategic planning processes and Marrickville Development Control Plan No 32 –
documents. Energy Smart Water Wise contains requirements
for energy and water efficiency in both new
Councils also prepare profession-specific strategic developments and in alterations and additions
management plans, which can include water to existing buildings. The main water efficiency
conservation considerations. controls are dual flush toilets and AAA rated
water fixtures. A Comprehensive Water Cycle
Development Plans Assessment and a Water Efficient Landscaping
Assessment are required for major
Councils administer urban planning policies and developments. For further information refer to
regulate development through reference to a Section 7 on CD.
Development Plan that is prepared for each Council
area.
Water Conservation Handbook 17

24. Water conservation strategies that are appropriate to
CASE STUDY:
Council could therefore be implemented via a
South Australia
Ministerial PAR. Local Government can collaborate
with the State Government (Planning SA) to develop Permanent water restrictions in South Australia
Ministerial PARs to address the issue on a regional or were enacted on 26 October 2003 and predicted
State-wide basis, as well as amending its own to result in a maximum reduction of 20% of
Development Plan to reflect the particular needs and water use across the board (including irrigators,
opportunities of its Council area. industry, residential and government). There will
be four levels of restriction addressing:
Internal policies and procedures • private gardens, lawns, paved areas, sports
Councils can integrate water conservation into day-to- grounds and recreation areas;
day business through altering internal policies and • fountains, ponds, pools and spas;
procedures to incorporate water conservation. • vehicle washing, building development and
construction activities; and
For example, water conservation considerations can be • farm dams and rainwater tanks, commercial
incorporated into Purchasing and Procurement Policies nurseries, garden centres and poultry sheds.
and Standard Operating Procedures.
SA Water has begun a community education
Alterations to the Purchasing and Procurement Policy program and the level of restrictions will be
can reduce the environmental impacts of goods and determined based on seasonal variations in
services purchased by Council. Some Councils include demand, river levels and rainfall. Refer to
an overall environment statement within this policy, www.sawater.com.au/restrictions/index.html.
referring to a number of key outcomes such as water
conservation, pollution prevention, minimising and
recycling wastes and minimising greenhouse gas CASE STUDY:
emissions. For example, changes to this policy may Barwon Water
lead to your road reconstruction contractor using
machinery that vacuums up and recycles the water used Barwon Water is the first Victorian water
in the wet saw road cutting process. The more specific authority to introduce a Water Conservation By­
you can be about how environmental impacts are to be law, which came into effect from 1 February
minimised the better. 2003. Eighteen months community consultation
into the future of the region's water supply
Standard Operating Procedures are the procedures preceded the by-law’s introduction. Throughout
written to govern many Council activities. These were the consultation process there was
often written initially due to the need to make overwhelming support for water conservation.
procedures clear for new staff members and/or the need The by-law is a permanent measure to conserve
to protect staff from Occupational Health Safety and water now and for future generations. It
Welfare risks. These procedures may be changed to involves restrictions on watering gardens,
incorporate water conservation outcomes. For example, cleaning vehicles, cleaning driveways and paths
an irrigation procedure may be altered so that and construction activities. For further details
sprinklers are only operated between certain times. refer to Section 7 on CD.
Obviously these changes should only be made in
consultation with the relevant managers and staff. To Stormwater Infrastructure Planning
change these procedures in a systematic, holistic, Councils are largely responsible for the planning,
environmental way some Councils have chosen to development and maintenance of stormwater
undertake an Environmental Management System. infrastructure within their areas. There are
opportunities to incorporate water conservation into the
Once you have established good practices, altering planning for new infrastructure, and in the ongoing
policies and procedures to reflect this is a good way to upgrades and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure.
ensure that water conservation gains are maintained. Where greenfield development is occurring
(land that has previously been undeveloped or has been
Stormwater used for agricultural purposes) there are enormous
opportunities for Councils to work with developers in
Stormwater is a key area for Council action with regard designing stormwater master plans that allow both
to water conservation. stormwater management, and water collection and
harvesting ( if site conditions allow).
18 Water Conservation Handbook

25. The 2002 Ministerial PAR for Stormwater CASE STUDY:
and related documents Urban Stormwater Master Plans
Planning SA has prepared a Stormwater Infrastructure
Planning package to promote an integrated approach to The Cities of Port Adelaide Enfield, Charles Sturt
catchment management. The package includes: and Prospect, supported by the Torrens
Catchment Water Management Board, are
• Planning Bulletin: Urban Stormwater Infrastructure developing detailed integrated Urban
to assist Councils in the process of policy Stormwater Master Plans during 2002–05 for
development at the level of zone or policy area by each of the 23 independent water sub-
raising awareness and generating debate among catchments in the north-west Adelaide region.
stakeholders on catchment water management policy These will include investigations and the
issues; identification of opportunities regarding the
• Guidelines for Urban Stormwater Management; and best mix of planning, engineering and
• Draft Minister's Specification: On-Site Retention of environmental policies and strategies in each
Stormwater which is a technical standard to provide sub-catchment to achieve a range of desired
cost effective technical solutions to the requirements outcomes, including improved water quality and
for on-site retention and detention of stormwater. conservation. For further information contact
Verity Sanders (08) 8405 6765.
Councils located wholly or partly within the catchment
areas of the Patawalonga and the Torrens Catchment
Water Management Boards are also affected by the
Stormwater in Urban Areas Plan Amendment
(November, 2002). This Plan Amendment Report
provides a development assessment framework to
facilitate appropriate management of stormwater, and
includes some broad principles regarding water
conservation.
The PAR has been incorporated into the relevant
Development Plans. For more information, the
resources listed above can be accessed from Planning
SA’s website at www.planning.sa.gov.au/publications
or you can contact Malcolm Govett at Planning SA by
telephone (08) 8204 8394 or email
govett.malcolm@saugov.sa. gov.au.
The State Government’s Guidelines for Urban
Stormwater Management include the recommendation
for Councils to prepare Urban Stormwater Master plans
which would allow the integration of stormwater
infrastructure planning, urban land use plannin, and
environmental planning into a single long term Plan.
Water Conservation Handbook 19

26. FIGURE 7 Council policies and plans related to water management
Built Environment and Environmental Design Development Approvals and Control
Policy Planners, Environment Planners or Strategic Assessments staff
Planning staff
Require water conservation measures in new
Negotiation with major developers at Master Planning developments or modifications (if specified in the
stage regarding water conservation opportunities to be Development Plan)
incorporated into major developments
Local Environment Strategy (LES)
Local Environmental Plan (LEP)
Both LESs and LEPs can include provisions for water
conservation
Council Management Plan and Budget Technical or Engineering Planning
Aims and funding related to water conservation should Infrastructure and Asset Plans
be included in your management plan and budget Can incorporate water conservation into infrastructure
design and construction
Allocate funding for a water demand management
strategy or other major works
Reducing water use in Council operations will save the Parks and Gardens
council money
Outdoor staff
Parks plans of management
Social/Community Plan Incorporate water conservation measures into parks
plans of management
Social planners
Teach outdoor staff about water conserving practices
Community education or community cultural
development programs about water conservation can
be undertaken with the assistance of social planners
and officers, e.g. youth officer
Natural Environment State of the Environment Reporting
Environment staff Councils can report on water conservation activities in
their state of the environment report
Environment Management Systems (EMS)
Water conservation measures should be part of any
Council’s EMS
Community education programs
Environment officers can plan and implement
community education programs about water
conservation
20 Water Conservation Handbook

27. S E C T I O N
How to conserve water in
5
Council operations
Introduction There are many approaches to the implementation of
water conservation initiatives developed from the audit
It is important for Councils to lead by example in process. These include:
implementing water conservation measures. This will
• clumping together the initiatives arising from the
save Council money, give staff experience in
audit for the purposes of a budget bid. The
implementing water conservation initiatives and gain
advantages of this approach are that you can seek
the respect of local residents. Councils are in an
approval for a comprehensive package of measures,
authoritative and unique position both to change their
include economically marginal initiatives together
own operational practices and to influence others to do
with high return initiatives to give an overall return
the same through positive role modelling.
on investment that is acceptable, and ensure a high-
level of integration between the measures.
This Section provides guidance on conserving water in
Local Government parks and gardens, buildings and • implementing some high return initiatives
other facilities. immediately. The advantage of this approach is that
you can quickly demonstrate the value of water
Planning sheets are provided for: conservation to senior managers, elected members
1. undertaking a water audit; and staff and build further support.
2. irrigation water use;
3. facilty water use; When deciding what actions to take, consider
4. alternative water supplies; and initiatives beyond capital projects, for example,
5. construction and refurbishment. training staff. In many cases, changing policies and
procedures (including Contracting and Procurement
Policies) can be effective and lead to far-reaching
Approaches water conservation measures. Refer to Section 4:
Conserving water within Council operations may be Changing Council policies and plans (page 17).
undertaken through a structured approach as part of an
Environmental Management System, Environmental It is crucial to manage your water and cost saving data
Improvement Program or Water Conservation Plan. well (both in terms of water and budgets) in order to
Alternatively, specific water saving initiatives may be demonstrate savings to management and elected
undertaken as opportunities arise. members. Refer to Section 3 (page 13) for details.
As part of a structured approach a water audit is often A different approach – using an
undertaken by either in-house staff or qualified, Energy and Water Performance
external organisations. The role of the audit is to assess
Contract
water collection, use and disposal and to identify
opportunities for water conservation. However, a water An alternative way to address water conservation is
audit is only part of the process. As a stand-alone through an Energy and Water Performance Contract.
activity, audits do not deliver results. You need to This involves the engagement of a third party to
secure management support for the implementation improve the efficiency of a facility (or facilities). The
phase of the program before you undertake an audit – contractor examines the facility, evaluates the level of
refer to Section 3 for details. Planning sheet 1 details savings that could be achieved and then offers to
how to conduct a water audit. The audit results should implement the project and guarantee the savings over a
help you to set targets for water use reduction within specified term. For further information on Energy and
your Council operations. Water Performance Contracting see www.aepca.asn.au.
Water Conservation Handbook 21

28. CASE STUDY:
Hornsby Shire Council
Hornsby Shire Council has implemented
Australia’s most comprehensive Local
Government Energy and Water Performance
Contract throughout Council’s buildings and
parks. Water conservation measures include
eliminating unused water systems, installing tap
flow controllers, fitting flush optimisers to toilet
cisterns and fitting keyed service taps.
Guaranteed savings from the project are a
reduction in energy use of 25 per cent and water
use of six per cent, with total cost savings of
$180 000 pa. For further information contact
Rima Lauge-Kristensen (02) 9847 6545.
22 Water Conservation Handbook

29. Planning Sheet 1
1 Undertaking a Water Audit
Introduction Often it will be difficult to obtain water use data from
these sources and in many cases water will be provided
A water audit can be undertaken in-house or by a
‘free’ of charge – be sure to investigate further as there
qualified, external organisation. The purpose of the
are often costs that are overlooked. Where these
audit is to assess how water is collected, used and
supplies are pumped you may be able to estimate
disposed and thereby to identify opportunities to
supply costs using fuel/electricity and maintenance
conserve water. A water audit can range from a broad
charges and volumes from pump run times. Check if
overview to a detailed study. You may choose to focus
your Council uses bottled water, as it comes at a
on one large facility, clump similar facilities together or
significant cost and may be replaced with rainwater in
cover all facilities.
some cases.
Audits need to be focussed as much on the
It is also important to investigate what happens to
organisational structure and responsibilities as on
‘used’ water. How is it disposed of? Water disposal can
technical solutions. Each site and organisation is
cause significant downstream environmental impacts
different and presents unique opportunities. In most
and in some cases there is a cost to dispose of used
organisations individuals have already identified
water. For example, water used inside a building ends
opportunities for improvement and staff should be
up in the sewer, requires treatment and often has
involved in the audit through a participatory process.
significant impacts associated with disposal.
This improves the quality of the audit and also builds
ownership of the recommendations within the
Once you have the required data:
organisation.
• determine the average annual water usage and
Step 1 disposal costs for each facility and prioritise based
on usage and cost; and
Assess water collection, use and disposal
(and costs) • investigate seasonal patterns of water usage and
other trends or events within each facility by
The first step is to investigate your Council’s water charting usage against time.
supply, usage and disposal. You will need to research
You may want to benchmark water consumption
how much water your Council uses, from what sources
against similar facilities. This will only be useful if
and at what unit cost it is provided.
there is data available that is specific to the type of
the facility you are auditing. Note that benchmarking is
CASE STUDY: often complex owing to differing usage patterns,
Lismore City Council climate zones etc.
Lismore City Council has developed and Figure 8 shows the water use of an urban Council
implemented a comprehensive Water depot over the last two and a half years.
Conservation Strategy which includes Authority
Water Use Conservation, i.e. getting ‘Council's
own house in order’. Refer to Section 7 on CD for FIGURE 8 Example chart of water use at an urban
Council depot
the detailed case study.
300
For mains water, the amount of water used by each
meter and the unit cost can be found on your water
WATER USE (kL)
250
utility bills. In many Councils, accounts paid are filed
by date and uncovering your water bills may be a
difficult and frustrating process. If this is the case, SA
200
Water can provide data on request. It is best to collect
five years’ data because this enables you to investigate
seasonal trends. Contact SA Water on (08) 8207 7739.
150
Jul 00 Jan 01 Jul 01 Jan 02 Jul 02 Jan 03
Other water sources include rainwater, stormwater, DATE
bottled water, groundwater, treated greywater and
reclaimed effluent.
Water Conservation Handbook 23

30. Step 2 CASE STUDY:
Assess the breakdown of water use Tatiara District Council
The next step is to estimate the different types of water In 2003 Tatiara District Council undertook a
use within each facility. In a perfect world all water participatory environmental audit of Council
using fixtures and equipment would be sub-metered facilities. After analysing the data, the
and this task would be easy. In practice, assessing the consultants who performed the audit held a
water use breakdown is based on assumptions made workshop with a cross-organisational group of
about (or occasionally measurements of) fixture/ staff from within Council. Opportunities raised
equipment usage and volumes/flowrates and then used were investigated and prioritised and further
to generate the water use breakdown. workshops have presented the findings and
developed implementation pathways. This
FIGURE 9 Example breakdown of water use in a approach aimed at drawing on the extensive
Council office building experience within Council and building
ownership of the outcomes.
For further information contact Rocky Callisto
(08) 8752 1044, rockycallisto@tatiara.sa.gov.au.
WCs 40% Shower 5% Taps 31%
Urinals 23% Leaks 1%
Step 3
Investigate opportunities
At this stage, opportunities for water conservation can
be identified and assessed. There are numerous
opportunities for water conservation in Councils, many
of which are discussed in the following Planning Sheets.
You can use the Best Practice Water Conservation
Principles to guide your actions – refer to Section 3 for
details.
Through the audit process a range of opportunities will
be identified. These should be categorised to assist in
planning the implementation phase. For example:
Q quick wins that can be implemented immediately
(excellent returns with no or minimal capital
outlay);
C attractive opportunities requiring some capital
outlay (senior management approval may be
required);
L less attractive returns, lower priority initiatives;
and
I initiatives requiring further investigation.
24 Water Conservation Handbook

31. Planning Sheet 2
2 Irrigation water use
Introduction 2. Efficient irrigation
Most water used directly by Councils is for the Design
irrigation of parklands, reserves, gardens, ovals and All efficient irrigation systems, regardless of the
golf courses etc. technology used, start with a good design. In the field
there are examples where good technology has been
The Cities of Port Adelaide Enfield and Adelaide are used but the design was so poor that no amount of
the only Councils using mains water for irrigation that management could make up for its inefficiencies. The
are not charged for water used on parklands. SA Water fundamental reason for this problem is that systems are
bills the State Government for the water. bought on capital price and not on the basis of a net
present value over the life of the system.
Irrigation is a specialist field and different irrigation
methods are appropriate for different areas. You will Water efficient irrigation systems are designed for the
need to work with your parks and gardens or grounds particular plant, soil and site combination under
manager (or equivalent) to decide the best action to consideration. A good design is critical and Councils
take to reduce irrigation water use. These staff often should investigate developing a good specification that
have extensive experience that will significantly takes into account the annual operating costs as well as
increase the chance of your program being successful. the initial capital cost i.e. a lifecycle costing approach.
In general, the options to consider in reducing The Irrigation Association of Australia (IAA)
irrigation mains water use are: www.irrigation.org.au/ provides contact details for all
1. choosing areas to receive less irrigation; Australian and New Zealand IAA qualified Certified
Irrigation Designers.
2. efficient irrigation;
3. water efficient landscaping; and Management
4. using alternative supplies of water (refer to Correct management by properly trained and qualified
Planning Sheet 4). staff is essential for efficient irrigation. When drip
irrigation systems were first installed in many
1. Choosing areas to receive less locations, management was not capable of operating
(or no) irrigation them correctly so systems were left on for far too long.
In agriculture, a well-managed gravity fed system can
Maintaining lush, green lawns and gardens requires be more efficient than a high-tech drip system.
water. At the most fundamental level you can
investigate reducing the amount of lawn and/or high Training staff on irrigation system auditing and
water using gardens within your Council and changing scheduling is a key step that Councils can take.
the type or reducing the quality of selected lawn areas.
These options need to be carefully negotiated with
stakeholders within Council and the community, as
there are likely to be strong opinions on the way things
should be done in this area. There is a planning role
here vis-à-vis clearly defining the function of CASE STUDY:
individual open space areas. Irrigation training at five local Councils
Potential issues include perceived negative changes to In November 2002, thirty staff from the Cities of
the aesthetics of parks and gardens and loss of amenity Playford, Adelaide, Charles Sturt, Salisbury and
in public spaces. In addition, changes to irrigation Tea Tree Gully completed two-days training on
water use are likely to involve changes to the working auditing and scheduling irrigation systems
practices of grounds staff so they need to be involved through the Irrigation Association of Australia.
throughout the process. Therefore, a consultative For further information contact Jeremy Cape,
approach to changing irrigation water use is essential. CSIRO, Jeremy.cape@csiro.au, (08) 8303 8552.
You can strengthen your case if you can demonstrate
how much water will be saved (dollars and litres), the
benefits to the environment and that low water use
areas can be aesthetically pleasing.
Water Conservation Handbook 25

32. Technology once when it is raining to turn sprinklers off. Fully
Only after the design and management are correct automatic control often has reliability issues and can be
should suggestions about the various available disempowering for staff on the ground. A certain
technologies be made. System scheduling should be amount of on-the-ground work appears to be required
based on the objective measurement of plant water with the balance, between automatic and manual
needs, not according to timers. control depending on the specific situation.
Drip irrigation is the most effective way of delivering Basic irrigation control strategies include watering
water where it is needed with minimal losses. during the evening or early morning to minimise
However, drip systems may not be suitable for a evaporation losses where possible, and watering up to
specified application in some cases: and not beyond the point of field capacity, i.e. where
any more water applied would drain out of the soil
• where drip lines need to be close to the surface they through gravity, runoff or remain on the surface. In
may be easily damaged in some applications; addition, vandal-proof taps in parks and gardens are
• where soils in South Australia have a high clay excellent water savers. Where taps are used for service
content (as often occurs) distribution problems may purposes only they can be key locked.
be experienced with drip systems; and
• where the cost of replacing sprinkler equipment is Good irrigation control is a complex issue dependent
prohibitive. on many factors. For example:
• watering may be required in the heat of the day for
Spray irrigation is the most common form of irrigation new plantings, cricket pitches and where an oval is
and can be used more efficiently by: served by multiple lines from one supply;
• testing monthly for sticking valves; • systems are often controlled to turn off at a rainfall
• inspecting regularly to confirm the units are setpoint which means that the sprinklers will operate
functioning correctly; until the rainfall reaches this setpoint or the watering
cycle is complete as many rain events provide
• ensuring uniformity of coverage; and
insufficient water; and
• avoiding runoff through intermittent watering
• excess water may be applied to specific areas for
cycles - for example, if 30 minutes watering
pest treatment purposes, in preference to chemical
is required for a park this can be applied in three 10
spraying.
minute cycles at one hour intervals.
Therefore, it is best to ask before making conclusions
Control
about your Council watering practices.
There is a balance to be reached between manual and
automatic control. Fully manual control tends to result
in wastage, as grounds staff cannot be everywhere at It is important to discuss with SA Water appropriate
CASE STUDY:
City of Unley
Michael Howley has 25 years experience with Michael has installed rain sensors (approximately
irrigation at the City of Unley. He says, $50 each) at larger sites. These are linked to
Irrigation is an important part of horticulture, but it controls to turn off the irrigation system
can be expensive if not monitored correctly. As part automatically when a specified setpoint of rainfall
of my programming of Unley Council’s controllers I is recorded (usually greater than 10mm, but
cut the irrigation back once the soil temperature altered with the season). The irrigation controls
starts to drop below the mid-twenties. This ensures are remote controllable within 1km of each site.
that the turf is put out of its comfort zone, allowing
the soil to dry to the point that when we receive For further information contact Michael Howley,
the winter rains the soil hasn’t reached saturation Team Leader, Sport Recreation Parks & Gardens,
point. During winter months the controllers are set City of Unley, mhowley@unley.sa.gov.au,
for two minutes each line once a fortnight to flush 0413 449 621.
the valves and sprinklers. This maintains the
irrigation equipment in a serviceable state.
26 Water Conservation Handbook

33. watering times and when restrictions are in place, and There are many excellent references available. For
if necessary to obtain an exemption for watering example, refer to:
outside of the required times.
• Macdonald G, Peate N, Talbot A, 1997 Grow What
Where, Lothian Books.
3. Water efficient landscaping • Handreck, K ,1993 Gardening Down-under: Better
Water efficient landscaping is using plants and garden Soils & Potting Mixes for Better Gardens, CSIRO
designs that look attractive and use little water. Your Publications.
Council landscape gardeners may have experience with • SA Water website fact sheets at
water efficient landscaping. If not, think about how www.sawater.com.au/.
opportunities could be created for them to learn about
water efficient landscaping.
In designing Council gardens you could consider:
• minimising the area of lawns, flower beds and high
water using plants;
• locating plants with similar water needs together;
• reducing surface run-off by considering elevations
and flow patterns; and
• avoid planting trees and shrubs where they can
cause damage to pipework, paths or buildings.
Good management will make your gardens and parks
healthier and reduce their water requirements.
One of the keys is mulching. Mulching can reduce
irrigation water use by as much as 70 per cent. A
50 mm layer of organic mulch spread over garden beds
will break down slowly and feed plants, restrict weed
growth, prevent wind and water erosion, and shade the
ground. Allow a space around the stems and trunks of
plants.
Prepare soil before planting. Organic matter mixed
through the top layer will dramatically improve both
water and nutrient holding capacity. Do not force feed
plants with large amounts of strong fertilisers. These
produce lush growth that has a high water transpiration
rate and is more prone to insect and fungal attack.
Compost and slow release fertilisers are better.
Irrigating lawns accounts for the bulk of water use.
Seek professional advice regarding species and
management. Some ‘low water use’ species are not
suitable for the South Australian climate and perform
poorly. Select plant species suitable for the local area
and soil type that have low water use requirements.
Water Conservation Handbook 27

34. 28 Water Conservation Handbook

35. Planning Sheet 3
3 Facility water use
Introduction Showerheads
Many of the opportunities for water conservation Frequency of shower use in Council facilities varies
within Council owned and/or operated facilities are considerably, ranging from rarely to multiple daily
similar to opportunities in the home. However, water uses, depending on the facility. Installing low-flow
usage from fixtures such as taps and showers is showerheads can halve shower water consumption.
much more variable than within households. For further information refer to Section 7 (on CD).
Swimming pools Taps
Swimming pools are large water users. Water Tap usage and applications vary considerably,
leakage from pools can be a significant issue, as ranging from bathroom taps to taps in service areas.
demonstrated in the following case study. The other Installation of key-locked, vandal-proof taps in
main opportunity is to use a pool cover to minimise service areas and automatic shut-off taps in public
evaporation losses – this also reduces heat loss from use areas are a good investment, both in water
the pool (and energy requirements for pool heating). savings and reduced maintenance.
Good quality tap washers pay for themselves in
CASE STUDY: reduced maintenance and water use costs. The use of
City of Unley flow reduction washers is also effective, particularly
in bathroom taps. For further information refer to
The City of Unley closed its Olympic swimming Section 7 (on CD).
pool after experiencing significant leakage
problems. The pool had a capacity of around
CASE STUDY:
1 million litres and was built in the 1960s (along
City of Tea Tree Gully
with many other pools in Adelaide). It was
temporarily shut after losses of up to 300 000 The City of Tea Tree Gully installed special tap
litres/day were noted from the drop in the water washers to more than 1200 taps in over 100
level of the pool. Attempts were made to patch buildings during 2003-2004. The tap washers
the pool but the water losses were still excessive. provide a precisely controlled, even flow of water,
For further information contact Chris Tually delivering savings on water and energy use and
(08) 8372 5163. virtually eliminating tap maintenance. Indications
from other installations indicate a saving of 25 per
cent in water use.
Toilets
The Council is collecting and compiling data to
Many flush toilets in Council facilities are used verify their water savings. For further information
frequently. Opportunities for water conservation in contact Michael Burke on (08) 8397 7271.
toilets include repairing leaks and reducing flush
volume by installing dual flush cisterns or cistern
weights. Refer to Section 7 (on CD) for more
information.
Urinals
You could also consider installing waterless Urinals can be operated by cyclic flush, pull cord or
composting toilets, particularly in new facilities and button operation, or automatically according to
rural and remote areas. Many approved composting demand, and can be surprisingly large water users.
toilet systems are now available. They have been A cyclic flush urinal, supplied by two 12 litre
successfully used in National Parks (such as Flinders cisterns operating 24 hours per day, can use nearly
Chase and the Coorong) with good public response 2 ML/annum, which is about six times the average
and low maintenance requirements. Refer to Section annual household water use9.
7 (on CD) for approval requirements for composting
toilets.
Water Conservation Handbook 29

36. Opportunities to conserve water include modifying
flush control, reducing flush volume and conversion
to waterless urinals. There are many different flush
control options – refer to Wise Water Management
,see Section 7 (on CD) for further details.
Though relatively new to Australia, waterless urinals
have been used for some time in Europe and the
USA. Urine passes through a special trap cartridge
with an oil seal, which prevents undesirable odours
from escaping. The cartridges are replaced after
about 8500 uses and cost about $40 a year for each
urinal10.
Other equipment
Other water using equipment includes depot
washing bays and washdown areas, fire equipment
(testing and other usage), street washing, fountains
and domestic equipment such as dishwashers and
washing machines. In country areas, road building
by Councils is a significant water use.
30 Water Conservation Handbook

37. Planning Sheet 4
4 Alternative supplies of water
Introduction FIGURE 10 Unley Museum Rainwater Tanks Project
Demonstration Site
You can complement water conservation measures
by reducing the use of mains water with alternative
water supplies. Alternative water supplies include:
1. rainwater tanks;
2. aquifer storage and recovery;
3. greywater and blackwater;
4. reclaimed effluent; and
5. groundwater.
1. Rainwater tanks
The capture, storage and use of rainwater can
significantly reduce stormwater flows to the street
and augment supply to Council owned and occupied
buildings. Specific considerations for Local
Government include:
• although treatment of rainwater for residential
purposes is uncommon you will need to consider
treatment if installing a commercial system that
provides drinking water (Contact the Department
for Human Services for requirements on
commercial systems). As Ultra-violet (UV)
sterilisation is a proven technology ideal for
rainwater treatment (owing to the low turbidity of
rainwater); CASE STUDY:
• rainwater tank systems are most effective at City of Prospect
saving mains water and reducing stormwater
A 91 000 litre underground rainwater tank is
flows where they are fully utilised; and
being installed as part of the City of Prospect’s
• the cost-effectiveness of rainwater tank systems Civic Centre upgrade. Rainwater collected will be
increases dramatically where rainwater is also used for toilet flushing and irrigation of grounds.
used to replace bottled water. For further information, contact Marnie Lynch
(08) 8269 5355.
CASE STUDY: CASE STUDY:
City of Unley 60 Leicester St, Carlton, Victoria (60L)
The Unley Museum Rainwater Tanks Project Two 10 000 litre tanks store water harvested
Demonstration Site demonstrates three separate from 60L's roof. This system will collect 500
approaches to rainwater harvesting and use, kilolitres of water in an average rainfall year,
including a pressure pump system for indoor which is 90 per cent of the building’s total needs.
water needs and a gravity-fed toilet system. After collection, rainwater is micro-filtered and
Expected savings are around 80 kL/annum plus sterilised for use in taps (including drinking
irrigation savings. For further information, water), showers and appliances. For further
contact the City of Unley on (08) 8372 5120. information refer to Section 7.
Water Conservation Handbook 31

38. 2. Aquifer storage and recovery CASE STUDY:
Aquifer Storage Recovery as part of a
Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a way of
re-use scheme
artificially recharging underground aquifers using
stormwater or treated wastewater. The water stored Stormwater from Dry Creek will be passed
in the aquifers can then be pumped out and reused through a gross pollutant trap and pumped to
when required. ASR offers a comparatively low cost the nearby Pooraka Triangle wetlands. Once
method of storing water as an alternative to surface there, the reed-beds will continue the filtering
storage and it reduces stormwater flows. process before it is pumped into an underground
T2 aquifer. This recycled stormwater will be
Although widely used in the USA, Israel and the available for irrigation within the reserve,
Netherlands, the potential for ASR in Australia has reducing the amount of mains water being used
only been recently recognised. However, South at present by approximately 30 megalitres. For
Australia is leading the way and there are currently further information, contact Keith Smith on (08)
more than a dozen projects in place. 8285 2033.
Smaller scale ASR schemes are of most relevance to
Local Government. ASR should be used where
appropriate rather than where convenient – in some 3. The treatment and reuse of
cases highly saline aquifers have been used with greywater and blackwater
poor results.
Greywater and blackwater from Council facilities
Councils interested in ASR can contact Russell can be treated and re-used for irrigation and, with
Martin, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity more effort, for specific indoor uses. Indoor re-use is
Conservation (08) 8463 6948. generally limited to toilet flushing, is quite complex
and is best built-in to facilities at the design stage.
FIGURE 11 Aquifer Storage and Recovery
Image taken from Peter Dillon presentation from the Water Symposium 2002
32 Water Conservation Handbook

39. For information on the treatment and re-use of Examples of Councils in South Australia which
greywater refer to Section 7 (on CD). For currently re-use treated effluent include:
information on reclaimed effluent for irrigation refer
• District Council of Berri and Barmera, which uses
below. For other inquiries, contact the Department
treated septic tank effluent for irrigation of parks,
of Human Services Environmental Health Branch
gardens, and the race course and golf course.
(08) 8226 7100. Your own Council Environmental
Additional effluent is evaporated and the sludge
Health Officers may also be of assistance.
used as fertiliser.
• The City of Holdfast Bay, where a small amount
CASE STUDY: of treated effluent from the Glenelg Wastewater
60 Leicester St, Carlton, Victoria (60L) Treatment Plant is used for reserve irrigation.
• Onkaparinga Council – McLaren Vale and
Wastewater from basins, sinks and showers in 60L
McLaren Flat, effluent is pumped to the Willunga
is collected in an underground tank, together
STEDS and treated effluent is used to irrigate the
with all the sewage from the toilets. This
golf course.
combined effluent is then successively treated by
sedimentation, digestion, bio-filtration and • Streaky Bay Council – all treated effluent is used
clarification before being discharged into a water for foreshore irrigation.
storage tank for reclaimed water. This reclaimed • City of West Torrens uses about 4 ML/year on the
water is pumped through a separate two-stage airport grounds plus 20–30 ML/year on the
filtration and UV sterilisation system to make it university sports playing fields.
suitable for flushing all toilet pans and for use in • City of Port Adelaide Enfield – several industries
sub-surface irrigation of the roof garden and are using reclaimed water for landscape irrigation.
other landscape features. For further information
refer to Section 7. Further information on using reclaimed effluent for
irrigation is contained in the booklet ‘South
Australian Reclaimed Water Guidelines – Treated
CASE STUDY: Effluent’, Department of Health and Environment
New Haven Village Protection Agency, 1999. You can also contact:
• Department of Health (08) 8226 7100
Domestic wastewater and ‘first-flush’ stormwater
are treated on-site before being re-used for sub­ • Environment Protection Authority (08) 8204
surface irrigation. Wastewater receives aerobic 2097.
treatment, sand filtration and UV disinfection
prior to storage. For further information, contact CASE STUDY:
Verity Sanders at the City of Port Adelaide District Council of Mount Barker
Enfield (08) 8405 6765.
Effluent from two townships with a population
of 14 000 will be treated at a microfiltration
4. Reclaimed effluent for irrigation plant before passing into the purpose built
Laratinga Wetlands. After at least 200 days of
The use of reclaimed effluent for irrigation by detention the treated effluent will be sold for
Councils is quite common and presents an excellent irrigation on adjacent market gardens11. For
opportunity to conserve mains water. Large-scale further information, contact Atis Berzins – STEDS
reuse of treated municipal wastewater from SA Manager (08) 8391 1633.
Water treatment plants also occurs in areas north and
south of metropolitan Adelaide. Opportunities and
costs for local Council reuse need to be considered
5. Groundwater
on a site-by-site basis.
The use of groundwater will become a critical issue
Opportunities for re-use of treated STED (Septic in the near future as residents respond to water
Tank Effluent Disposal) lagoon effluent include oval restrictions and shortages by wanting increased
and golf course irrigation and irrigation of other access to groundwater supplies.
public open space areas. Irrigation re-use is quite
common among South Australian non-metropolitan
Councils.
Water Conservation Handbook 33

40. Councils should be aware of this demand and
develop requirements for the sustainable extraction
of groundwater (where appropriate and if they have
not already done so) in collaboration with State
Government.
FIGURE 12 Laratinga wetlands
34 Water Conservation Handbook

41. Planning Sheet 5
5 Construction and refurbishments
Introduction
The construction of new facilities and the Regular project team meetings are an important part
refurbishment of existing facilities is an unparalleled of the process.
opportunity to introduce water conservation
initiatives. During construction, water conservation Consider your communication and influencing skills.
can be integrated into a facility in the most cost Many of the stakeholders in construction projects
effective way. Unfortunately, the magnitude of the are from engineering related professions and may
opportunity is often matched by the barriers to respond differently to staff that you generally work
achieving water conservation. Despite the rhetoric, with. Awareness of this may allow you to use
most water conservation specialists can walk into a different approaches and improve your effectiveness.
newly constructed ‘green building’ and identify For example, cost benefit figures and financial
significant opportunities for water conservation that returns may be more persuasive than emotional
have been missed, some of which will still be cost- arguments in some cases.
effective to retrofit.
Design
Why is this the case? There are several contributing
factors, including: Involve external specialists who are independent of
• mismatches between Council’s stated water the design team, and have designs cross-checked for
conservation objectives and the procurement and the inclusion of water conservation initiatives. If
construction process as water conservation is possible get a representative on the design team.
either left completely out of the brief or is not a Trust your own knowledge base, seek second
priority; opinions and be wary of ‘experts’ who may have a
conflict of interest.
• a shortfall in industry capacity as water
conservation is not core business for design and
Integrated design is time consuming and complex.
construction companies and there is limited
As a result, corners are often cut and the savings
expertise available;
made on design are dwarfed by the additional
• perceptions of in-house expertise as both the construction costs. It is worth putting in the effort at
construction industry and Council staff believe the design stage.
that everything has been covered by the design
team, whereas this may not be the case; and
Costing
• the sheer logistical difficulties involved in any
construction project where coordination of Construction projects are driven by the up-front
multiple stakeholders and trades is required ­ capital cost. However, as owner-occupiers (or long-
often something ‘has to give’ and this term tenants) your Council should be concerned
‘something’ is typically environmental initiatives. with both capital costs and running costs over the
life of the building. Costing methodologies should
Despite these factors, the benefits of incorporating be used that reflect this lifecycle approach. Clear
water conservation outweigh the barriers. Some guidelines for costing should be provided.
considerations for successfully integrating water
conservation into construction projects follow. Establishing and managing
contracts
Communication
Establish clear guidelines for the inclusion of water
Don’t wait to be asked to be involved – you won’t conservation measures and ensure that these are
necessarily be. Get involved at the earliest possible included in the contract and regularly reviewed
opportunity. This goes beyond expressing an throughout the contract.
interest; you will need to be assertive and make sure
that you are involved at each step of the process. Ensure that water conservation is included in the
You may be able to add value beyond the inclusion development of the initial brief and concept, in
of water conservation initiatives by ensuring choosing the design team and throughout the
effective communication and cooperation. construction project.
Water Conservation Handbook 35

42. It is important to go beyond general statements
about incorporating water conservation principles
and to be specific about initiatives that will be
included and targets for water consumption.
For refurbishment or upgrades, document current
water consumption and use the redevelopment as an
opportunity to stabilise or reduce that consumption.
You might investigate the inclusion of bonuses or
penalties for water consumption targets and Energy
and Water Performance Contracts are one way to
achieve this. Refer to the beginning of Section 5
(page 21) for details.
36 Water Conservation Handbook

43. S E C T I O N
Community programs for
6
water conservation
Introduction – Planning your Community programs are also more complex than
they appear. Information alone rarely changes what
Community programs
people do (their behaviour), but it may be an
This section of the Handbook provides details about important part of your overall campaign. To be
planning community household water conservation successful, community programs must be tailored
programs. The details provided complement the for your local area and the local community.
materials provided in Section 5 about improving Different people in the community will have
Council’s own operations. Refer to Section 7 (on different understandings of water and the
CD) for working with industry information. environment. They will also have different ways
different amounts of time and resources that they
It is important to think carefully about how and why can contribute to learning about water conservation
you want to develop community water conservation and we all learn things in different ways.
programs and how they will fit with the strategies of
other government departments and agencies such as If you have considerable time and resources, it is
SA Water, the EPA, WaterWise, WaterCare, best to plan a strategy for both incentives and
Catchment Water Management Boards and community education. If you only have very limited
individual community groups. Community programs time and resources, start with a relatively simple
should not be undertaken by themselves, but to education project that you can build on later, such as
complement the other water conservation or including information on water conservation in
environmental strategies that your Council and other existing Council publications, perhaps in a
agencies are undertaking. You might want to think community newsletter. Where possible combine or
about working regionally, as the Save Water and link your community programs so that they not only
Power (SWaP) project did, See SWaP Show case cover water, but also issues like energy and waste,
study (page 45). for example, on a household scale.
FIGURE 13 Typical household water use
Rainfall
Roof
B
A
T
O
L
A
K
I
MAINS
Runoff
T
H
I
L
U
N
T
C
380 kL
R E D H
80 kL O
O
T R E
Y N
M
Street
Leaks
60 40 35 15 10 kL
kL kL kL kL Garden
220 kL
Sewer 150 kL
Water Conservation Handbook 37

44. Where are the largest savings in Assigning blanket household water use values to
every household, as is often implied in water-
household water use?
conservation feasibility investigations, can be
A ‘typical’ South Australian older-style three misleading. Household water consumption varies
bedroom house with three occupants uses 380 considerably between dwelling forms – typical
kilolitres (380 000 litres) of mains water each year. townhouse water use patterns, for example, are very
This is equivalent to just over 1 000 litres each day different from that of older 1/4 acre suburban block
of the year12. homes. Table 2 (page 39) shows categories for
dwelling type and associated water use and
By taking simple actions, a ‘typical’ household can reductions. Table 3 (page 40) shows indicative
become a water-efficient household using just 200 savings for using water conservation methods or
kilolitres of mains water each year. This is devices. They show that setting baseline water
equivalent to 550 litres each day of the year – a consumption data is important to then being able to
reduction in mains water consumption of almost 50 estimate the potential savings.
per cent.
FIGURE 14 Efficient household water use
Rainfall
Rainwater B
A
T
O
L
A
K
I
MAINS
Tank Use T
H
I U
N
T 200 kL
L C
Up to R E D H
O T R E
50 kL O Y N
M
Street
Leaks
40 20 25 15 0 kL
Garden
kL kL kL kL
150 kL
Sewer 100 kL
38 Water Conservation Handbook

45. TABLE 2 Estimated annual water use by dwelling type13
Dwelling type#1 Town-houses Small ‘villa’ Moderate size Older ‘large
homes#2 new dwellings#3 allotment’
dwellings#4
Allotment area, m2 240 300 650 800
Roof area, m2 120 120 200 200
Irrigated area (incl. trees & shrubs), 40 100 330 400
m2
Typical number of occupants 2 2 4 3
Dual flush WC Yes Yes Yes No
With or without water Without With Without With Without With Without With
conservation devices
In-house water use, L/day 239 216 239 216 458 400 413 314
Outdoor water use, L/day 72 72 162 147 519 470 618 558
Miscellaneous losses 47 47 60 60 147 147 155 155
Total indoor and outdoor, L/day 358 335 461 423 1124 1017 1186 1027
Total kL/year 130 122 168 154 410 371 433 374
Reduction in water use, kL/year 8 14 39 59
Present worth benefit of installing
conservation measure#5 $135 $135 $337 $395
Reduction in water use, percentage 6 8 10 13
Notes:
#1 Residential flats were not investigated.
#2 Small ‘villa-style’ dwelling e.g. modern ‘semi-detached’ medium density dwelling.
#3 ‘Broadacres’ houses (typical early 1990s-constructed dwelling in new subdivision).
#4 Older large-allotment dwellings, the ‘typical’ (pre-1990s) suburban home, modern-size new dwelling.
#5 The present worth is the overall financial benefit that can be expected to accrue over the life of the investment. A positive present
worth is considered to be a reasonable investment. Based on 88c/kL mains water, and includes: aerating showerheads or shower flow
restrictors (all dwellings), 6/3 litre dual flush toilets (all dwellings), garden timer taps (all dwelling types except townhouses), flow
restrictors at kitchen tap, if owner-installed.
Water Conservation Handbook 39

46. Indicative savings for using specific water It is useful to create a program logic model to work
conservation methods/devices are shown in Table 3. through all the steps of your program to see if or
When reading these tables note that 1 kL is 1000 how it will contribute to the goal of conserving
litres, equivalent to two medium sized refrigerators water. You can either work left-to-right through the
full of water. model from your inputs through to the outcomes,
asking ‘why’ after each step, or right-to-left from the
The information sheets and Home Water Self-Audit outcomes you are seeking, moving back to work out
Manual (included in Section 7 on CD) provide what inputs are needed (the latter approach is better
guidance on saving water in the home. if you are free to choose what resources you will
allocate to a program). Working right-to-left through
How using logic can help with your logic model ensures that the program activities
will lead logically to the outcomes you are seeking.
your planning
Given the statistics above regarding possible
savings, you can start thinking about what kind of
community program might be appropriate in your
Council area.
A program logic model is a way of setting out in a
diagram how your project will proceed, from inputs
to the activities that will have outputs and will lead
to outcomes (short, medium and long-term) that will
contribute to meeting your goal, see Figure 15 (page
41). In this case the overall goal will be to conserve
water in your Council.
TABLE 3 Indicative savings for using water conservation methods or devices14
Percentage of Typical water Water Approximate cost for Typical water
water use in use per year, conserving water conserving saving, kL
typical home#1 kL method device
Lawn watering 50% 180 More careful garden $20 45
watering
Shower 20% 75 Install a water Typically, no more than 25
efficient shower head an equivalent water
or flow control device inefficient
showerhead: about
$20-$60
Washing 15% 55 Replace with a water About $70 per kg dry 25
machine efficient washing clothes capacity more
machine than a water-
inefficient machine
Toilet#2 10% 35 Replace with a water $200 15
efficient, 6/3 litre dual
flush toilet
Other 5% 20 Flow control devices variable variable
on taps, etc
Notes:
#1. Water use here assumes a three or four bedroom home, large garden and three occupants.
#2. Assumes current toilet is an older 11 litre single flush model.
40 Water Conservation Handbook

47. FIGURE 15 Components of a basic program logic model15
INPUTS INFLUENTIAL FACTORS
Investments or resources Surrounding environment in which the program exists (e.g. politics,
(e.g. time, staff, volunteers, other initiatives, socioeconomic factors, staff turnover, social norms
money, materials) and conditions, program history, stage of development) that can
affect its success either positively or negatively
ACTIVITIES
Events or actions (e.g. OUTPUTS INITIAL INTERMEDIATE
workshops, curriculum Direct products OUTCOMES OUTCOMES
development, training, of program Short-term Medium-term
social marketing, special (e.g. number of effects of results (e.g.
events, advocacy) people reached program (e.g. behaviour,
or sessions held) knowledge, normative or
attitude, skill, policy
and awareness changes)
changes)
GOAL LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Mission or purpose Ultimate impact (e.g. social
of program or environmental change)
FIGURE 16 Worked example – right-to-left program logic model
What is the desired long-term Households in the Council area will use less water
outcome? How?
What is the desired intermediate Water use in the Council area will stop increasing
outcome? How?
What is the desired short-term Changes will be made to the appliances and gardens in local
outcome? households so that they use less water
How?
What activities are needed to achieve Courses in water efficient gardening
these outcomes? Rebates on timers for garden watering systems
How?
What inputs are needed to achieve Trainers, model curriculum, facilities, money (and possibly an
these outcomes? agreement with SA Water)
You might need to think about these for different
groups within the community – don’t make the
mistake of grouping the community all together.
Water Conservation Handbook 41

48. FIGURE 17 Worked example – left-to-right program logic model
What are the existing inputs? Staff, incentives, materials
Why?
What are the existing activities? Showerhead rebate program
Why?
What are the desired short-term Reduced household shower water use
outcome? Why?
What is the desired intermediate Reduced indoor water use and changed household behaviour
outcomes? (shorter showers)
Why?
What is the desired long-term Reduced indoor and outdoor water use
outcomes?
Describe and plan the program section of your Council or your public library.
Talking to other Council staff will also give you a
In designing your program, think about the outcomes picture of the local population.
you are trying to achieve and about the context in
which the program will be implemented. What is the In understanding your community, it is important to
nature of the community you are seeking to work be aware that specific groups, including children
with? What languages do they speak? What size (0–11 years), young people (12–24 years), women,
households do they have? How much time or older people (55 years and over), people with
disposable income do they have (in general)? What disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
publications do they read (e.g. The Messenger, people, people from culturally and linguistically
Adelaide Advertiser, Council newsletter etc)? What diverse backgrounds (including racial, ethnic and
electronic media do they listen to and watch? Once ethno-religious minority groups), will have different
you have finished reading this Section, work through needs. Australia is a multicultural society and
the Community Program Planning Worksheet in developing programs that respect cultural diversity
Section 7 on the CD. or are tailored to specific cultural groups is not
straightforward. The Multicultural Communities'
This planning stage is crucial, especially Council of SA, see Section 7 on the CD, can provide
understanding the community or communities you’ll advice and assistance on working with different
be working with and thinking about or finding out ethnic groups. Your local Land Council, Aboriginal
what barriers exist or what might facilitate effective Corporation or community group can assist if you
engagement with the community. If you are new to will be working with people of Aboriginal and
your Council, you might want to talk to other Torres Strait Islander background.
Council staff with experience working with
communities in the area, for example, youth workers Reflect and research
and community development staff. What will work Before you proceed with developing a program, you
with a low socio-economic status community with need to be able to answer the following questions:
high unemployment will not necessarily work in a
wealthier, highly educated community and vice • What do people already know about conserving
versa. There may be an opportunity to deliver water?
collaborative programs as well. Using existing • Do they care? If not, why not?
community networks or information channels is • How do they talk about the problem? (What
often an effective and efficient way of delivering language do they use?)
community programs.
• What do they want to know?
General data on demographics is available from the • What do they want to be able to do?
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) • Where do they access information and resources?
(www.abs.gov.au), which will describe the age, • Who do they trust?
ethnicity, occupation and income of people in your • What are the factors that currently support or
Council and it should be available from the records, discourage different groups in the community to
community development or strategic planning conserve water?
42 Water Conservation Handbook

49. • Specifically, are there important social/cultural/ • rebate programs which reducing the normal sale
economic factors that influence water use? price of water saving fixtures (e.g. dual-flush
• Who or what influences your community(s) in toilets) by offering a rebate or a discount at
lifestyle choices? purchase (again, to reduce the up-front cost);
• give-away programs offering free water saving
Testing your ideas with the community devices (e.g. water efficient showerheads or tap
Consider pilot testing any materials or strategies aerators); and
with a small group, particularly if you are planning a • subsidised retrofits offering installation of
large-scale program. specified water saving fixtures in the home by
service providers.
It is also useful to reflect on your Council’s current
situation regarding water conservation and other For more information on all these programs, see
environmental education programs. For example, Wise Water Management (details in Section 7 on
you need to be able to answer: CD) .
• What has your Council already done vis-à-vis
water conservation?
• What other environmental programs exsist?
• What has been successful in your Council?
CASE STUDY:
These questions are included in the worksheet. Campbelltown City Council WCPP
Incentive Scheme
The case studies included on n the CD will give you
a sense of what other Councils have done and if they Incentive for residents to take up rainwater
have been successful, how this success was harvesting by offering subsidies towards the cost
evaluated. of rainwater tanks was offered to residents in
Campbelltown through this project. A total of
162 inspections were performed during the
Options for water conservation
scheme for residents expressing interest in the
activities program and wishing to install a rainwater tank.
Of these, 85 proposals were submitted for
There are two main types of community programs,
rebates, with six residents proposing an
those that contain incentives of free or discounted
installation involving more than one tank.
products or services, such as offering discounted
water efficient showerheads, and those that consist
Incentives were also offered under a Cool
of education and communication programs. Ideally,
Communities Action Plan for devices including
the two should be linked so that community
discounted AAA-rated shower heads and tap
members not only understand water conservation but
timers, free flow restrictors, incentives toward
are also able to access free or discounted products
the purchase of dual flush toilets, incentives
and/or services to reduce water use in their
towards the installation of dual flush toilets and
household.
discounts towards the purchase of front loading
washing machines. For more information, contact
1. Incentive programs
Sarah Gilmour on (08) 8366 9257 or
As the name suggests, incentive programs provide a
sgilmour@campbelltown.sa.gov.au.
financial or service incentive for people to conserve
water. They fall under the general categories of:;
• subsidised audits and advisory programs e.g.
CASE STUDY:
estimates of water use and savings opportunities
Sydney Water
by a trained person, including checking for leaks,
and making recommendations for improvement; Sydney Water’s ‘Every Drop Counts’ program
• loan programs, for the purchase of water offered a plumber’s visit and a brand new AAA-
conserving appliances, hardware or landscaping, rated showerhead for $22. Normally this water
generally large cost items, so that the loan will saving package would cost householders over
significantly reduce the up-front cost for $135. Refer to Section 7 on the CD.
householders. The loans offered are generally at a
low or nil interest rates;
Water Conservation Handbook 43

50. TABLE 4 Examples of incentive programs
Type of program Examples Application/tips
Audits and advisory Household water audit (may be Free household water audits under-value the service and
programs in conjunction with an energy or are unlikely to be as effective as subsidised audits.
waste audit). Marketing should be carefully considered – the term audit
may not be well received and some people may be
See SWaP and Sydney Water intimidated by letting a stranger assess their lifestyle.
case studies.
Loan programs Low or nil interest loans for Generally used for large cost items and can assist
rainwater tanks, dual-flush householders with upfront costs. May be particularly useful
toilets, washing machines. in low-income areas. A simple and effective repayment
system is required. Providing information to help residents
See Campbelltown case study. select an appropriate tank size for their requirements can
also help residents to save money.
Rebate (or discount) For fixtures such as water- Excellent cost prices for bulk purchases can often be
programs efficient showerheads, tap arranged through negotiation with product suppliers.
aerators, lawn replacement, These can be passed on to consumers with little additional
WaterWise landscaping. subsidy required. Commercial sponsorship is worth
considering. Alternatively, vouchers can be arranged with
See Sydney Water case study. local hardware stores. Again, they may fund part of the
cost of the voucher in return for the extra customers.
Give-away programs For fixtures such as water- Give-aways can be used as incentives at shows and events.
efficient showerheads and tap We do not recommend wholesale give-away programs as
aerators. the products tend to be under-utilised and there is little
leverage of Council funds. It is best to combine give-aways
See SWaP case study. with education programs.
Retrofitting Plumbers replace single flush Retrofitting is best integrated with an audit and follow-up
toilets with dual flush toilets and advice and education. It provides an excellent delivery
install low-flow showerheads. mechanism as the householder receives advice and has the
products installed. This fills the gap between subsidised
See Sydney Water case study. products (which may not be installed) and advice (which
may be ignored). Retrofit packages need to be carefully
designed with options as each household is different. For
example, some households already have a low flow
showerhead or a low pressure hot water system, in which
case a low flow showerhead is of little use.
2. Education and communication You will need to decide what best meets your
Table 5 on page 46 sets out the range of methods communities’ needs after you have researched their
that are available to engage your communities needs and understandings (as described above).
through education and communication – from
informal learning and engaging activities (often Deciding what methods to use
hands-on) to professional development and Don’t simply choose one method – a single
continuing education, formal education, initiative, for example producing a fact sheet is
presentations and performances, information, unlikely to have a significant impact on its own. You
artwork and media. Your budget will influence the need to undertake a series of activities to engage a
methods you use to engage your community in community. At a minimum you will probably need
water conservation. Also included in the table is a to produce some basic information materials, like in
column suggesting which group/s each approach is Section 7 (on CD), and send out a media release to
best suited to and in what circumstances. local newspapers.
44 Water Conservation Handbook

51. For more comprehensive advice in a similar field CASE STUDY:
refer to “Motivating Home Energy Action, an Unley Museum Rainwater Tank Project
outline of what works” at
www.greenhouse.gov.au/coolcommunities/motivatin The overall aim of the Unley Museum Rainwater
g/index.html. Tank Project was to fit the Unley Museum with
10 000 litres of rainwater tank storage as a
Work with other Council officers to plan and demonstration site highlighting water
implement your community education project. For conservation and the stormwater benefits of
example, talk to the Council’s media officer, find out retrofitting suburban residential and commercial
if there are any graphic designers in-house who may properties with tanks and water efficient fixtures.
be able to help with preparing information materials. An educational mosaic was also developed to
Explore whether your Council have a training and contribute to the water conservation theme and
education officer who can help you design a course provide employment and mentoring for young
or workshop. Build on existing Council activities South Australian visual artists.
and programs, for example, if your Council is
conducting energy audits, see if water audits could The Project began supplying filtered rainwater to
be incorporated at the same time. the Unley Museum and the adjacent Cancer Care
Centre on 13 March 2003. Water is being used
for toilets, kitchen, drinking and irrigating the
new indigenous garden. Interpretive signage is
being developed. For more information contact
the Environment Officer – Water at Unley Council
on (08) 8372 5111.
CASE STUDY:
Save Water and Power (SWaP) Show
In November 2002, a group of nine South Outcomes of the project included the distribution
Australian Councils (the Cities of Adelaide, of approximately:
Burnside, Holdfast Bay, Marion, Mitcham,
• 630 compact fluorescent globes
Norwood, Payneham and St Peters, Onkaparinga,
Unley and West Torrens, with Mitcham as the lead • 225 AAA shower roses
Council) and one State Government Department • 225 kitchen tap aerators
(Energy SA), with two funding bodies (WCPP and • 225 lengths of hot water pipe lagging
Cool Communities), delivered an innovative • 180 tap timers
environmental education and incentive program,
• 180 garden trigger nozzles
called the Save Water and Power (SWaP) Show.
The aim of the SWaP Show was to achieve a • 180 worm farms
marked reduction in residential water and energy • 180 home audits
consumption by influencing behaviour change and • 180 copies of Your Home: Technical Manual
uptake of energy and water efficient products and (see Section 7).
services.
The project resulted in an increased awareness and
The SWaP Show consisted of a humorous, understanding about water conservation amongst
theatrical performance delivered within each 400 metropolitan households. Another outcome
Council area. The latter part of the show enabled was improved capacity of participating Councils to
the audience to ask specific questions of an expert provide water conservation services to their
panel regarding issues that they felt were communities through stronger relationships with
important. Heavily discounted SWaP Bags product suppliers, peak bodies, and State
containing water and energy efficient products Government agencies. For more information
and services were available for purchase after each contact Craig Walker, (08) 8372 8855,
performance. cwalker@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au.
Water Conservation Handbook 45

52. CASE STUDY:
The Zero Waste Water Project
The Zero Waste Water project is a partnership the marine environment. The project is linked to
between the District Council of Streaky Bay and the School’s curriculum and a wider education
the Streaky Bay Area School, with seed funding program for the community, including a
from the Coast and Clean Seas Program and comprehensive water-quality monitoring program.
Transport SA. Successful completion of the Project For further information contact Ian Kent, Streaky
will move Streaky Bay toward a goal of total water Bay Area School (08) 8626 1202 or Murray
cycle management, the sustainable use of water Greenaway, District Council of Streaky Bay
resources and reduced wastewater discharges to (08) 8626 1001.
TABLE 5 Examples of education and communication programs
Type of program Examples For whom? When to use?
Informal learning Demonstration sites and For the community in general, Build engagement about water
and engaging gardens usually at public events and in conservation into your existing
activities (often Launches public spaces. community events and where
hands-on) Festivals and fairs possible, create new events and
Competitions and awards spaces that focus on water
Grant programs. conservation. For example, you
could launch a new rainwater tank
demonstration site with a public
celebration of water.
Presentations and Talks, presentations, Presentations and performances These are ways of engaging
performances seminars can be run for existing community people, often before they have any
Demonstrations groups, e.g. environment groups, detailed knowledge of water
Tours community service organisations conservation issues. Performances
Performances – street such as Rotary and ethnic-based are great ways of attracting
theatre, mime, puppetry, organisations, or publicly attention to an issue and starting
singing, storytelling. advertised. These could also be people thinking about the
combined with other public events, importance of water conservation.
e.g. water conserving gardening
demonstrations at fairs.
Professional Workshops (e.g. For people already interested in Useful in conjunction with audits
development/ workshops about water conservation who want to or other incentive programs, such
continuing rainwater tanks) change their homes or businesses. as give-aways, rebates or retrofit
education Courses programs.
Study groups
Advisory services.
Formal education School education For students and teachers. Formal education is expensive and
TAFE courses time consuming. It is best to work
University education with SA Water and the
Training for teachers Department of Education to
Community college develop programs for students or
courses. teachers.
(Continued next page)
46 Water Conservation Handbook

53. (Continued from previous page)
Type of program Examples For whom? When to use?
Information Printed material – Can be tailored to different Use in conjunction with other
booklets, pamphlets, fact groups, depending on where it types of programs for maximum
sheets, case studies, will be used. For example, effectiveness.
stickers, newsletters, booklets and bags for people who Contact WaterCare 1800420820
calendars, postcards, state attend talks, postcards for for information about programs
of the environment ratepayers and display materials relevant to your area.
reports (or more detailed for people visiting Council offices
planning guides to and fairs.
support self directed
learning)
Display material – posters,
models, exhibitions
Electronic and audio visual
materials – websites, CD-
ROMs, videos
Products – bags, magnets,
pens, bookmarks etc.
Demonstrations Implementation of water Community centre users, general Can be part of Council showing
saving initiatives (for public. leadership (refer to Section 5).
example, rainwater tank
systems) at community
facilities.
Signage and Signage at Council For the community in general. Signage and public art can be very
public art facilities (e.g. at parks effective ways of communicating
regarding plantings and with the community in public
watering regimes) places, but can be expensive to
Community artworks and design, install and maintain.
exhibitions (e.g. water Valuable at demonstration sites.
sculptures).
Media Media releases and articles For the community in general or Media coverage should support
Paid advertising (print, specific groups, for example, other initiatives that Council is
radio, TV, cinema, web, through ethnic media. undertaking. Issue media releases
buses, taxis, dockets) to promote water conservation
Council pages in local practices by Council and local
newspapers. people.
What makes good communication? In general, good communication is respectful,
First and foremost, the communication programs attractive, useful, efficient, physically appropriate,
you plan must be relevant – to the community and to socially appropriate and productive – in the sense of
current events (for example, if it’s a wet spell, don’t opening up further opportunities for good
send out a media release exhorting local residents communication (according to David Sless from
not to water their gardens). You can only judge what CRIA). Think about these criteria when producing
is relevant if you know the community, have your community education program. Invite people
undertaken research or can test the outline of your from the community to help plan and implement
program or communication materials with people your program. The best communication is
from the community. This can be as simple as participatory, for example, hosting workshops which
showing them a fact sheet and asking them what invite participants to take action can build ownership
they have learnt from reading it. For more and support in ways that sending out information
information on testing information, talk to the will not do.
Communication Research Institute of Australia
(CRIA), refer to Section 7 on C.
Water Conservation Handbook 47

54. When preparing information materials make sure
that you use pictures as well as words, to cover all
literacy levels. Don’t put too much information on
one page and try to avoid technical terms like
retrofitting, unless you explain what they mean.
What makes a good media release?
A good media release;
• states the date issued or ‘embargoed until’ and
then the date:
• states the name of the organisation (usually your
Council) issuing the media release at the top.
• has a catchy short title (eight words or less);
• is no more than one page;
• has a first paragraph that captures the imagination
and summarises the story (including who, what,
where and when);
• two or three short paragraphs explaining the story;
• contains at least two ‘quotable quotes’; and
• contains contact details (including a mobile phone
number).
For more details about writing a media release and
working with the media, talk to the media officer at
your Council.
48 Water Conservation Handbook

55. S E C T I O N
References and contact details
7
This Section provides a list of contacts, resources • Hunter Valley case study
and references,plus lists the selected resource • Lismore City Council case study
materials available on the CD. • Denver case study
• Seattle case study
Resource Materials included on CD
• Austin case study
Information sheets and resources • Streaky Bay case study
developed as part of this Handbook
• Community program planning worksheet Other case studies
• Water Conservation Partnership Project Best • 60L 10 point tour and brochure
Practice Water Conservation Principles • Barwon Water – by-law information
• Greywater systems information sheet. • Marrickville Energy Smart – Water Wise
• Rainwater tanks information sheet Development Control Plan summary
• Home water self-audit worksheet • Sydney Water brochure
• Home water self-audit manual
Water Conservation Material
• SA Water Conservation Brochure
Water Conservation Partnership Project
• SA Water and Adelaide Botanic Gardens
2000-2004
• SA Water WaterWise Gardens
Demonstration projects
• SA Water WaterWise Plants
• Burnside Sustainable Garden
• SA Water Micro Irrigation Brochure
• Campbelltown Incentive Scheme
• SA Water Smart Water Use
• Goyder Council Incentive and Education Program
• SA Water Managing your soils
• Jamestown Community School’s Water
• Water Wise in the household
Conservation Partnership Project
• Water Wise in the commnity
• City of Norwood, Payneham, St Peters
Residential Water Re-use Project • Water Wise in the Workplace
• District Council of Peterborough Water Recycled Water Information sheets
Conservation Re-use Site
• Department of Health publications on greywater,
• City of Playford ‘Garden Green, Water Wise’ reedbeds and composting toilets
Outdoor Water Conservation Guide
• Grey Water Application Form
• City of Salisbury Water Conservation Through
• Domestic Grey Water Reuse Chart
Home Assist
• Sodium and phosphorous concentration in laundry
• SWaP Show
products
• Unley Museum Rainwater Tanks Project
• West Torrens Rainwater Tank Project Community Information Guides
• Whyalla Water Efficient Demonstration House • Community consultation manual
• Sample Statement of Joint Intent (SOJI) • National Water Conservation Rating Scheme
brochure and buyers’ guide
Case studies • Water Proofing Adelaide
Australian and International case studies • Rainwater Tank guideline
• Mt Victoria case study
• Shellharbour case study International Campaign for Local
Environmental Initiatives Water
• Hasting Council case study
Campaign Information
• Kalgoorlie/ Boulder case study
Water Conservation Handbook 49

56. Contacts and Resources References
In addition to the contacts and resources referred to 1. Adapted from Department for Water Resources
throughout the Handbook and included in Section 7 (2000), State Water Plan.
the following may be of use. 2. WaterWise in the Community, Information
Sheet Number 4, WaterWise.
Technical resources
3. The Wentworth Group (2002), Blueprint for a
• WCPP Review of domestic and local council Living Continent.
water conservation, roof runoff, ASR and
4. NSW Environment Protection Agency website,
wastewater reuse opportunities, at
www.epa.nsw.gov.au/soe/soe2000/bw/bw_fig_
www.deh.sa.gov.au/sustainability/pdfs/
2. htm
WCPPReview.pdf
5. SA Water website, www.sawater.com.au/
• Best Practice Water Conservation Principles at
Our_Water_System/index.html.
www.deh.sa.gov.au/sustainability/
6. Adapted from Department for Water Resources
• Water Symposium 2002: Working on Water -
(2000), State Water Plan.
New Trends in Water Resources Management,
from Households to Catchment, at 7. SA Water, Environmental Report 2002.
www.deh.sa.gov.au/sustainability/
8. Water Services Association of Australia (1998),
conservation.html#wcpp
Wise Water Management: A Demand Management
• Department of Health www.health.sa.gov.au/ Manual for Water Utilities.
• Sydney water website www.sydneywater. 9. The Green Building Partnership (2003), 60L
com.au/everydropcounts/ brochure.
• Save Water, at www.savewater.com.au 10. Adapted from Local Government News, April
2003.
• The SA Water website has tips and fact sheets for
saving water at home, at www.sawater.com.au/ 11. Eyre Peninsula Catchment Water Management
Our_Water_System/index.html Board, Saving Water – What Can You Do?
• The Plumbing Industry Association of South 12. Adapted from Allen, M. (1994) cited in Water
Australia (08) 8292 4000 will be able to suggest a Conservation Partnerships Project – Review of
reputable WaterWise plumber in your Council area Urban Domestic and Local Council Water
Conservation, Roof Runoff, ASR and
• The Your Home Guide includes water saving
Wastewater Reuse Opportunities.
information and can be viewed on-line at
www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/index.htm 13. Adapted from Allen, M. (1994) cited in Water
Conservation Partnerships Project – Review of
• www.watercare.net is a comprehensive schools
Urban Domestic and Local Council Water
education resource which links to a large number
Conservation, Roof Runoff, ASR and
of water conservation sites around Australia.
Wastewater Reuse Opportunities.
Communication resources 14. US Department of Health and Human Services
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Multicultural Communities' Council of SA
(2002), Physical Activity Evaluation Handbook.
(08) 8410 0300
web: www.multiwebsa.org.au
email: mccsa@ozemail.com.au
Migrant Resource Centre of South Australia
(08) 8223 3604
email: mrcsa@bigpond.com
Communication Research Institute of Australia
web: www.communication.org.au
An excellent, comprehensive resource on Community
Engagement in the NSW Planning System is available
on line at www.iplan.nsw.gov.au/ engagement.
50 Water Conservation Handbook

57. Water Conservation Handbook 51