WATER AND ENERGY RELIEF INTERNATIONAL

1. Environment Plan
2008-2013
Sydney Water’s objectives and actions
to manage and improve environmental performance

2. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Environment Plan Inter-generational and intra-generational
equity – reduce the effects of activities on the
2008-2013 environment that the community, now and in
the future, relies on to meet its needs and
expectations.
Introduction Conservation and biological diversity and
ecological integrity – manage properties to
maintain the range of native plants and animals
Sydney Water is committed to protecting public
and the health of natural areas.
health and the environment in delivering water,
wastewater, recycled water and some stormwater Improved valuation and pricing of
services to the communities of Sydney, the environmental resources – improve the way
Illawarra and the Blue Mountains. we value environmental costs and benefits and
use this information when making decisions.
Sydney Water’s 2008-13 Environment Plan sets
out the objectives, actions and targets required to
manage and improve Sydney Water’s
In implementing this objective Sydney Water will
environmental performance over the next five
reduce risks to human health and reduce its
years with a focus on the current year 2008-09.
impacts on the environment. Sydney Water will
Environment Plan actions and targets are prevent pollution by:
integrated into Sydney Water’s business
reducing the environmental impact of its
strategies. Actions and targets are identified and
discharges to air, water and land
analysed using a risk management framework.
The Plan is updated annually and is made publicly minimising the creation of waste
available on Sydney Water's website. Programs
reducing the use of energy, water and other
and targets are reported annually in the Annual
materials and substances
Report.
re-using and recovering energy, water and
other materials and substances, where feasible.
Objectives Sydney Water’s Environmental Management
System (EMS) provides the framework to develop,
implement, monitor and review the environmental
One of Sydney Water’s objectives is to protect the
objectives, actions and targets set in the
environment by conducting all operations in
Environment Plan. The objectives and targets
accordance with the principles of Ecologically
drive management programs and commitment to
Sustainable Development (ESD). These principles
continual improvement in Sydney Water’s
are embedded within the Sydney Water
environmental performance.
Environmental Policy.
Precautionary Principle – reduce the chance
of serious environmental problems even if we
are not sure that these problems will occur.
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 2

3. Environment Plan 2008-2013
operating pressures, which will not only reduce
Overview of key initiatives leaks, but will also lower energy use (and
greenhouse gas emissions) and reduce risk of
system failure through pipe rupture.
Sydney Water’s current environmental
performance, emerging issues and trends are key Energy Management Plan – Sydney Water’s
considerations in the annual review of the Energy Management Plan will see further
Environment Plan. Actions and targets have been improvements in energy efficiency including the
identified to manage environmental risks and generation of renewable energy with a 2010
priorities. The actions and targets are incorporated target of 60 GWh a year.
into corporate and divisional business plans.
SewerFix Wet Weather Overflow Abatement
Key initiatives identified in Sydney Water’s Program – Significant improvements in
2008-13 Environment Plan are: sewerage system wet weather performance will
be achieved for priority sites within the
Climate Change Strategy – Sydney Water has
Blackwattle Bay and North Sydney areas by
a strategy to become carbon neutral by 2020
2010 and in the Queenscliff and Curl Curl
for our energy consumption. The first milestone
lagoon areas by 2012.
will be to reduce emissions by 60 per cent by
2012. Water Quality Research – as algal blooms
have the potential to affect drinking water
This will be achieved by:
quality, Sydney Water and the Sydney
producing up to 20 per cent of power needs
Catchment Authority are doing research to
through renewable cogeneration and mini-
better understand and manage potential blue-
hydro turbines,
green algal blooms in bulk water storages.
using energy more efficiently,
Contaminated Sites Management Program –
using carbon credits generated from water Sydney Water will continue to ensure sites are
saving programs. managed in accordance with the Contaminated
Land Management Act 1997 and Sydney Water
Sydney Water’s desalination plant, which will
EMS.
help secure Sydney’s water supply, will be run
with renewable energy. Heritage Strategy – Sydney Water will ensure
its heritage assets are managed in accordance
Recycled Water Program – Sydney Water will
with the NSW Heritage Council Heritage
implement projects including:
Management Guidelines.
the Western Sydney Recycled Water
Residuals Strategy – Continue to achieve
Initiative (Replacement Flows Project),
100% beneficial reuse of biosolids captured at
Rosehill/Camellia Recycled Water Project, Sydney Water treatment plants
local recycled water projects, and
planning to implement the Recycled Water
Program.
Water Conservation Program – Sydney Water
will continue to deliver water efficiency
programs for homes and businesses, water
recycling and leak reduction.
Active Leak Reduction, Flow Measurement
and Pressure Management Programs –
Sydney Water will continue to identify and
repair leaks in our water systems and repair
these leaks. We will also continue to reduce
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 3

4. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Environment Plan 2008-2013
Providing clean, safe drinking water
Outcomes Actions Due Target
Drinking water is safe and Collaborative research with the Sydney Catchment Jun- 09 Full compliance with Operating
meets customers’ Authority to understand and manage potential blue-green Licence for water quality
expectations algal blooms in bulk water storages
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 4

5. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Helping develop a water efficient city
Outcomes Actions Due Target
Water demand does not Ensure Sydney Water’s water efficiency programs are Each year Reduce the per capita quantity of
exceed supply implemented through the Demand Management Program water drawn from all sources
and reported annual Water Conservation and Recycling (excluding reuse water) to 329 litres
per capita per day by 2010-11
Implementation Report
Participate in 4 yearly review of the NSW Government Jun-09 Research results on climate change
scenarios for future water planning
Metropolitan Water Plan
by Jun 09
Dec-10
Revised Metropolitan Water Plan
released 2010
Support and participate in the NSW Government’s Water Each year Meet Metropolitan Water Plan
milestones
for Life Education Program
Ensure effective environmental management for the Summer 2009-10 Compliance with planning approvals
construction and operation of a desalination plant at and regulatory requirements
Kurnell
Ensure water efficient use at Sydney Water facilities:
at Malabar, North Head and Bondi sewage treatment Jun-09 80% reduction
plants, reduce the volume of drinking water used for
treatment processes from 2003-04 usage rates
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 5

6. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Helping develop a water efficient city
Outcomes Actions Due Target
ensure all sewage treatment plants (other than Jun-09 At least 85% recycled wastewater
Malabar, North Head and Bondi, and storm flow for treatment processes
sewage treatment plants at Fairfield, Bellambi and
Port Kembla) use at least 85% recycled water for
treatment processes
audit drinking water efficiency at all sewage treatment Jun-09 Audits copmpleted, water
plants (other than Malabar, North Head and Bondi) conservation plans prepared, and
and implement findings under a water conservation findings implemented
plan
at the new Sydney Water head office site at Jun-10 75-80% reduction in drinking water
Parramatta, use an onsite water recycling plant to use for the building compared to
provide recycled water for toilet flushing, cooling similar non water efficient buildings
towers, fire system testing and irrigation
Leaks are reduced to the Implement Active Leak Reduction, Flow Measurement Reduce system leaks from the
economic level of leakage and Pressure Management programs: drinking water supply system to less
than 105 million litres a day by June
scan 21 000 km mains/year and repair leaks within Jun-09
2009
time target
implement Pressure Management Program (Stage 3) Jun-09
implement Trunk Main Flowmeter Program (Stage 1) Sept-08
implement Trunk Main Flowmeter Program (Stage 2) Jun-10
Recycled water is Deliver the Recycled Water Program: Metropolitan Water Plan target of 70
available in accordance billion litres a year by 2015, and 100
plan to implement the Recycled Water Program Jun-09
with the Metropolitan billion litres a year by 2045
initiatives equivalent to12% of estimated potable
Water Plan Recycled demand by 2015 and 17% of the estimated potable
Water Program demand by 2045
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 6

7. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Helping develop a water efficient city
Outcomes Actions Due Target
implement Stage 1 Western Sydney Recycled Water Jun-10
Initiative (Replacement Flows Project)
implement Rosehill/Camellia Recycled Water Project Dec-10
deliver local recycled water projects including the 2015
Hoxton Park Recycled Water Scheme
Establish a recycled water community education facility Nov-2010 Facility established
at the Western Sydney Recycled Water Plant
Work with stakeholders to facilitate stormwater harvesting Jun-09 Opportunities for stormwater
from Sydney Water systems harvesting assessed and
implemented where feasible
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 7

8. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Contributing to clean beaches, oceans, rivers and harbours
Outcomes Actions Due Target
Safe healthy waterways Reduce dry weather overflows reaching waterways to meet 2010 Compliance with dry weather
Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) overflow targets in the Dry Weather
regulatory targets in Sydney Water’s sewerage treatment Overflow Program and specified in
system environmental protection licences (EPLs) (Pollution EPLs
Reduction Program 200 series)
Ensure compliance with all DECC’s targets in EPLs for:
STP discharge limits for chemicals, toxicity, load, Each year 100% compliance with EPLs by
concentration and discharge volume Sydney Water or its contractors
the number of uncontrolled sewage overflows in dry Each year Zero dry weather overflows from
weather each financial year sewage pumping stations each year
No more than 25,000 properties
each year experience an
uncontrolled sewage overflow in dry
weather from Sydney Water’s
system
effluent and receiving water quality monitoring Each year Sewage Treatment System
programs to provide accurate and timely information Impact Monitoring Program
for wastewater planning and operations results analysed and reported
annually
Ensure compliance with trade waste agreements by: 100% compliance with EPLs
(contaminants from customers with
managing trade waste to meet environmental and Each year
trade waste agreements or permits)
other regulations
ongoing improvements in industrial and commercial
customer compliance with Trade Waste
Agreements/Permits
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 8

9. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Contributing to clean beaches, oceans, rivers and harbours
Outcomes Actions Due Target
protecting the sewerage system and sewage Each year Reduction in the total mass of
treatment plants from damage and accelerated substances discharged to sewer
corrosion due to harmful substances from trade waste through completion of Effluent
sources Improvement Programs (EIP)
Implement the Streamwatch Program to educate the Each year Maintain community participation in
community on water quality and serve as an early warning Streamwatch and monitoring of 600
system for water quality incidents sites
Reduce impact of wet Improve wet weather performance by managing and
weather sewage delivering the Wet Weather Overflow Abatement Program: Compliance with system limit
overflows on swimming requirements and frequency for wet
sites weather overflows within STS
Reduce the impact of wet weather sewage overflows licences
for priority sites
Decreasing trend in number of non-
- CBD (Blackwattle Bay) 2010 compliant by-passes from systems
- North Sydney (Hay St) Delivery of programs
- Northern Beaches (Queenscliff & Curl Curl lagoon) 2012
Priority Sewerage Deliver the Priority Sewerage Program by: Jun-09 Complete by 30 June 2009
Program delivered completing work on the Brooklyn and Dangar Island,
Mount Kurring-gai Industrial Area, and Upper Blue
Mountains Sewerage Schemes (PSP Stage 1)
commencing construction work on the Yellow Jun-09 Commencement of construction by
Rock/Angus Banks/Glossodia Sewerage Schemes 30 June 2009
(PSP Stage 2)
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 9

10. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Optimising resource use
Outcomes Actions Due Target
Reduced carbon footprint Meet objectives of the Climate Change Strategy to achieve: 2010 100% renewable energy used for
from operations desalination plant
carbon neutrality for the operation of the desalination
plant at Kurnell
carbon neutrality for energy and electricity Each year 60% reduction in emissions by June
consumption by 2020 2012 (and progressive annual
targets from 2007-08 onwards)
Carbon neutral for energy and
electricity by June 2020
Meet the NSW Government’s milestones to reduce
emissions: Emissions reduced from building
from energy used in buildings energy use to 2000 levels by 2020
2020
by obtaining 4.5 stars environmental performance 1 July 2011 Minimum 4.5 stars environmental
rating for energy efficiency and water in buildings performance rating for energy
efficiency and water in buildings by
1 July 2011
using ethanol blended fuels in fleet vehicles Each year Increase the use of ethanol blended
fuels, where available
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 10

11. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Optimising resource use
Outcomes Actions Due Target
Meet efficiency targets at Sydney Water major new
accommodation sites
Parramatta Head Office Jun-09 5 Star environmental performance
rating for energy efficiency and
Potts Hill Jun-10
water
Establish the measurement of Sydney Water’s carbon Sep-08 Incorporate Sydney Water’s carbon
footprint and ecological footprint as annual performance footprint and ecological footprint into
indicators the Annual Report
Meet objectives of the Sydney Water Energy Management
Plan to:
implement projects that improve energy efficiency and 2010 Projects completed with expected
generate renewable energy generation of 60 GWh a year by
2010
comply with all relevant energy related regulations Each year Maintain 100% compliance with:
including NSW Government’s Energy
Management Policy
Energy Efficiency Opportunities
Act 2006
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 11

12. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Optimising resource use
Outcomes Actions Due Target
Obligations for protection Implement the Botany Wetlands Plan of Management to Each year Botany Wetlands Plan of
of flora, fauna and ensure ecosystem integrity and health, and maintain its Management programs
heritage met environmental, social and economic values implemented including: sediment
and gross pollution, blue green
algae, carp eradication and native
fish re-stocking, nutrient
management, weeds, native
vegetation, and bush regeneration
and revegetation
Implement ecological assessments of Botany wetland Each year Reporting and assessment program
health and long term monitoring program for key ecological and water quality
outcomes implemented as per Plan
of Management
Implement Natural Environment Management Program Jun-09 Compliance with relevant
Commonwealth and NSW
by:
legislation, NSW policy and any
managing sensitive Sydney Water properties through
specific Sydney Water
property Environmental Plans
commitments relating to protecting
facilitating the integration of effective environmental
and managing flora and fauna on
practices into Sydney Water’s activities
Sydney Water owned land
Guidelines developed incorporating
legislative requirements including
Noxious Weeds Act 1993 and
Threatened Species Act 1995
Property Environmental
Management Plans prepared for the
top 140 environmental risk Sydney
Water sites
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 12

13. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Optimising resource use
Outcomes Actions Due Target
Manage Sydney Water’s sites and interests in accordance Each year 100% of land acquisitions and
with Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 by: disposals assessed for
contamination risks
implementing the Contaminated Site Management
All known sites documented and
Program
reported to DECC
maintaining contaminated sites database for Sydney
Water sites
Ensure Sydney Water heritage assets are managed in Each year 80% of State heritage listed sites
accordance with the NSW Heritage Council Heritage with Conservation Management
Management Guidelines and the Heritage Strategy Plans by June 2009
Implement Stormwater Plans of Management based on a Each year Plans of management implemented
total catchment approach for wetlands (Freshwater Creek
Wetland, Eve St Wetland) and the Rouse Hill Development
Area
Waste from operations is Demonstrate continual improvement in waste recycling or Each year 70% of internal construction and
minimised or beneficially reuse expressed as a percentage of solid waste generated demolition waste reused or recycled
re-used 80% of paper waste recycled in
Sydney Water Head Office
60% of office waste recycled in
Sydney Water Head Office
Incorporate waste minimisation considerations into major Each year All major planning and design
planning and design activities activities incorporate waste
minimisation strategies
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 13

14. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Optimising resource use
Outcomes Actions Due Target
By-products re-use is Implement Residuals Strategy by: Each year 100% beneficial use of captured
maximised biosolids
beneficially using biosolids and grit and screenings
captured by sewage treatment plants 100% beneficial use of water
filtration residuals
beneficially using residuals captured by water
filtration plants More than 40% beneficial re-use of
STP grit and screenings by June
2010
Manage trade waste to assist Sydney Water’s sewage Each year Meet DECC quality specifications
treatment operations to produce biosolids and treated for substances from trade waste
wastewater that meets regulatory requirements
Customer expectations Deliver planned trade waste education program to Each year Two trade waste & backflow
and service delivery are customers, consultants, equipment suppliers and installers, plumbers seminars delivered each
aligned and plumbers to address waste prevention, minimisation and year
cleaner production Quarterly customer forums
delivered
Cleaner production brochure
mailout to commercial sector
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 14

15. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Serving customers
Outcomes Actions Due Target
Customer expectations Maintain odour detection and minimisation programs Each year Maintain downward trend in annual
and service delivery are number of odour complaints from
aligned sewage treatment plants and the
reticulation system based on the
preceding four-year average
Dec-12 Deliver Wastewater Odour
Management Strategy
Maintain compliance with the Noise Management Code of Each year 100% compliance with the Noise
Behaviour under the Sydney Water Environment Management Code of Practice
Management System
Undertake awareness training sessions with work
teams on the Code of Behaviour
Customer expectations Assist in a coordinated approach to stormwater Each year Sydney Water representation on
and service delivery are management and water sensitive urban design in Sydney by Sydney Stormwater Sustainability
aligned participating in the Sydney Stormwater Sustainability Group Group and key Sydney Metro
and the Sydney Metro Catchment Management Authority Catchment Management Authority
working groups
Sydney Water is viewed Educate the community on water quality and water supply Each year Improved average rating of the
positively by stakeholders issues overall quality of service delivered
and the community by Sydney Water through customer
surveys
Compliance with planning Implement compliance system for environmental Each year No prosecutions issued to Sydney
approval regulatory Water or its contractors under the
conditions of approval
requirements Environmental Planning and
Assessment Act 1979
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 15

16. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Serving customers
Outcomes Actions Due Target
Corporate support Ensure contractual environmental risks are identified, Each year Environmental risk assessment
services and systems are assessed and managed effectively for all construction and undertaken for each project
reliable, efficient and maintenance activities Project audit programs developed
effective and carried out in accordance with
Sydney Water Environment
Management System requirements
Contractor environmental
performance evaluated on a regular
basis
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 16

17. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Developing a safe, capable, committed workforce
Outcomes Actions Due Target
Staff have the required Review annual environmental training needs as part of Each year Environmental education
skills to meet the Sydney Water Training Needs Analysis incorporated into Sydney Water
organisation’s needs and training programs
Sydney Water attracts
and retains skilled people
Deliver Environmental Education Program training Each year Training schedule delivered
schedule
Corporate support Maintain EMS Certification to ISO 14001:2004 6 monthly EMS certified to ISO 14001:2004
services and systems are surveillance audits No major non-conformances from
reliable, efficient and external surveillance audits of
effective Sydney Water’s EMS
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 17

18. Environment Plan 2008-2013
Being an economically efficient business
Outcomes Actions Due Target
Effective financial Liaise with the Department of Environment and Climate Each year Financial impacts of environmental
management and long Change (DECC) to progress environmental and climate policies are articulated and
term sustainability understood
change issues
Procurement is efficient Improve sustainable practice by completing procurement Jun-09 100% renewable energy used for
and prudent arrangements to access and purchase renewable energy to desalination plant
operate the desalination plant and associated infrastructure
SWEMS0053.V5 Page 18