Sustainable Water – Reducing, Reusing And Conserving Water

With the current concerns over Climate Change and the extended nature of the drought, it is imperative that Council reduces its impact on the environment. The aim is to do this by improving its environmental protection and awareness and reducing usage of water, energy and waste to landfill. This has the added benefit of minimising the burden of increasing prices for these resources by reducing costs and improving business efficiency.

An Environmental Action Plan was adopted by Council in February 2007. The Plan is a key driver for Council in leading the way on Destination One* of the Strategic Plan, Parramatta Twenty25. (*Land and water that is protected, respected and sustained). The Environmental Action Plan also fulfils a key action (PM7) in Council’s Corporate Strategy Implementation Plan. The Plan sets targets and indicators for environmental improvements at Council as set out in Council’s Management Plan. The Environmental Action Plan aims to address Council’s internal environmental impacts, in line with Council’s commitment to its leadership role within the community.

Environmental Action Plan

In 2006 the State government required all Councils in NSW to develop and implement Water and Energy Savings Action Plans. Parramatta City Council will not be developing individual Savings Action Plans as such. Rather, information derived from the guidelines for these plans will form a critical component of the Environmental Attributes of the Environmental Management System (EMS) and will be submitted in lieu of the plans. Council is also a member of Sydney Water’s Every Drop Counts Business Program which incorporates water management into council’s day to day business operations, as well as at a strategic level. The Program compliments the NSW Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (DEUS) Water Savings Action Plan for high water users and local councils under Sydney's Metropolitan Water Plan.

www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourBusiness/EDCBusinessProgram

Completed and in-progress projects

Over the last two years, Council has gradually improved the knowledge of its environmental impacts across its various units. The aim is to continue to improve this awareness and then to implement processes to reduce and improve our environmental impact. Achievements to date include:

• Water Audits at Darcy Street, Parramatta Pool, Woodville Golf Course and Riverside Theatres, Parramatta Town Hall, Council’s Reserves and Grounds
• Implementing water savings measures across all these sites and establishing monitoring regimes at these sites
• Installation of rainwater tanks on council buildings eg. Granville pool and Jubilee Child Care centre Parramatta
• Receipt of Federal Government Community Water Grants for irrigation system upgrades at 11 sportsgrounds and rainwater tanks for several local schools / sports clubs.
• Doyle Ground stormwater re-use scheme, and
• Application of Water Sensitive Urban Design to the Church Street Mall opening