Sustainability Report 2005-2006

Department of the Environment and Water Resources, 2007

Canberra environmental performance

Water

EN22: Total recycling and reuse of water

Goals 2005-06

Review the existing process for monitoring, early detection and reporting of water leaks and wasteful water-use practices
Review signage to raise staff awareness of water use and the reporting of equipment malfunctions

Performance 2005-06 and trends

Water issues are reported to a helpdesk for immediate action. This also enables us to track trends, such as faulty cisterns and other recurrent issues that require more permanent remedial action. In the six months to June 2006,

21 water-loss-related reports were received, primarily running cisterns.

Water use practices and tips also feature in the new training that is being delivered to staff, to raise awareness and encourage immediate reporting and negate the common assumption that someone else will have already reported it. The vigilance of all staff is important in minimising our usage of this precious resource.

Greywater captured from 6 floors of the JGB is collected in a treatment tank in the basement, where it is filtered and UV treated. This water is used on the garden beds surrounding the JGB using a drip-feed watering system, and in the toilets of the refurbished AGO office space in the basement. Rainwater collected from the roof catchment is also used for this purpose.

Commentary

Many of the programmes administered and funded by the department focus on maximising the availability and quality of water resources. The department is conscious of the need to pursue water-efficient policies and initiatives within its own operations.

Goals 2006-07

Develop a methodology for calculating the re-use volumes of rainwater and greywater.

Related Indicators

Canberra Indicators

Other Indicators

TBL Report 04-05

TBL Report 03-04

Key

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Environmental performance reporting