Water / Waste Water | Biocity Studio

WATER/WASTE WATER

For every bucket of the Earth’s water that there is,

only one drop of it could we drink (without pre-treating it).

Water is apart of a closed system meaning that the same water that existed on the earth millions of years ago is still present today.

A person can live without food for 1 month, but can only survive for about

1 week without water. Water has many functions and uses,

Water is the basis for all life. It essential to our survival as our bodies are

made up of 70% of it.

Elemental Geosystems, Robert W. Christopherson, 2004.http://www.tear.org.au/resources/target/022/water_facts.htm

Groundwater represents a major proportion of the Earth’s usable water resources, approximately 22.04% of all freshwater.

Of all the earths water supply, only 2.78% of it is fresh water.

SYDNEYS DAM SYSTEM

TALLOWA DAMConstruction 1971-197685,000 ML CapacityPart of the Shoalhaven Scheme

SHOALHAVEN-RIVER WATER EXTRACTION SCHEME

7,500 ML pumped into Warragamba Dam annually, or 205 ML daily

This pumping system is part of the Shoalhaven Power Scheme, where water is pumped up hill from Tallowa Dam to Fitzroy Falls Dam and released back, generating 240 MW.

WINGECARRIBEE DAM

24,121 ML Capacity

Water pumped from Shoalhaven can be diverted into Warragamba Dam or into the Nepean River.

AVON DAM

Construction 1921-1926

Capacity 214,260 ML

NEPEAN DAM

Construction 1925-1935

Capacity 81,360 ML

These 4 Dams are the oldest supply of water in Sydney, and feed directly into prospect reservoir.

CORDEAUX DAM

Construction 1918-1926

Capacity 93,640 MLCATRACT DAM

Construction 1902-1907

Capacity 94,300

WARRAGAMBA DAM

Construction 1948-1960

Capacity 2,027,000 ML

Supplies 80% of Sydney's water

PROSPECT RESERVOIR

Filtration Plant

Supplies 4 million People with clean water

The Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage of Sydney, W.V.Arid 1961 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoalhaven_River http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Nepean_Scheme

Metro Water Plan 2006

http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/ReducingLeaks/

Sydney’s average annual rainfall is 1200mm compared with

Australia’s average rainfall of 400 mm.

Sydney loses 2.8 billion Litres through Leaking pipes every year which is

around 13 Thousand Olympic sized swimming pools.

Sydney has 21 000 Km of Water Pipes

The total capacity of Sydney’s water supply is around 4.6 sydney harbours

Sydney’s current storage system could provide Sydney with four years of supply with no inflow.

Sydney’s total catchment size is 15 651 Km2

About 40% of the flow of Australian streams comes from

groundwater.

Increased evaporation from dams and reservoirs

Increase in infiltration of runoff in catchment areas

Climate Change in New South Wales Part 1: Past climate variability and projected changes in average climate: Climate Impact Group, CSIRO Atmospheric Research

Scenarios Shows:

Rainfall will become more varied with longer and dryer periods in between rainfall, Though when it does rain, the rainfall will be much more intense.

=Less water for use.=

PREDICTED CHANGE IN RAINFALL FOR NSW USING DIFFERENT CLIMATE MODELS

CRISIS SCENARIO: DUE TO DROUGHT AND POPULATION INCREASE SYDNEYS DAMS FALL TO 10% CAPACITY

2 0 0 6 M e t r o p o l i t a n W a t e r P l a n

This graph shows that Sydney at regular intervals experiences water shortages.

Using this data coupled with the predicted increase in population and trend of global climate change, this could be a possibility for Sydney

Population graph showing population growth predicted population for the years 2015 and 2030

http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/housing/index.html

OVERVIEW OF METRO WATER PLAN

The Metro Water Plan hopes to supply Sydney's water needs by 2015

The plan has three main

focuses; saving water, recycling and finding additional supplies.

The plan has a good chance at success, however there are

improvements and changes which can be made to make sure Sydney’s dam

levels never reach 10%

Metro Water Plan 2006

A key aspect of the Metro Water Plan is its proposed recycling scheme

This scheme hopes to recycle

180 GL per year.

This recycling scheme is the basis of the first proposed policy change

Or 72 thousand Olympic pools

Metro Water Plan 2006

The Metro Water Plan aims to recycle 180 GL of water yearly by 2015 reducing usage to 542 GL annually.

If current level 3 water restrictions are in place water usage will have dropped by 25% by 2015.

This has a flow on effect of reducing recycling capabilities to 135 GL.

This means that water usage will be reduced to 420 GL annually.

SYDNEYS PREDICTED YEARLY WATER CONSUMPTION

YEAR PREDICTED POPULATION

NO WATER RESTRICTIONS

CURRENT LEVEL 3 RESTRICTIONS

2007 4.1 MILLION 637 GL 474 GL

2015 4.8 MILLION 746 GL 555 GL

2030 5.3 MILLION 824 GL 613 GL

POLICY 1: WATER RESTRICTIONS

This is an annual reduction of 122 GL,

OR 48 thousand Olympic swimming poolsMetro Water Plan 2006http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/housing/index.html

Mandatory restrictions No sprinkler useNo hosing of hard surfaces, unless law requires.

Level 3 Mandatory restrictions • Introduced when storage levels reached 40%• No sprinkler use• No hosing of hard surfaces• Hand held hosing of lawns and gardens before 10am and after 5pm on Sundays only• No filling of new or renovated pools or dams without a Sydneywater permit • Fines for breaking such enforceable laws upwards of $550

Level 1 Mandatory restrictions • Introduced when storage levels reached 70%• No sprinkler use• No hosing of hard surfaces.• Hand held hosing of lawns and gardens before 10am and after 5pm on Wednesday Fridays and Sundays only.• No filling of new or renovated pools or dams without a Sydney water permit.• Fines for breaking such enforceable laws are upwards of $100

Level 2 Mandatory restrictions • Introduced when storage levels reached 60%• No sprinkler use• No hosing of hard surfaces• Hand held hosing of lawns and gardens before 10am and after 5pm on Wednesday and Sundays only• No filling of new or renovated pools or dams without a Sydney water permit• Fines for breaking such enforceable laws are upwards of $200

Level 5 Mandatory restrictions • Introduced when storage levels reached 15%• No sprinkler use• No hosing of hard surfaces• No Hand held hosing of lawns both hoses and watering cans • No filling of new or renovated pools or dams• Water supplies to homes and businesses being cut off at certain times of day.• Standpipes set up in streets• Water rationing issued.• Fines for breaking such enforceable laws are upwards of $8000

Level 4 Mandatory restrictions • Introduced when storage levels reached 25%• No sprinkler use• No hosing of hard surfaces• No Hand held hosing of lawns and gardens except through watering cans on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10am and after 5 pm.• No filling of new or renovated pools or dams• Fines for breaking such enforceable laws are upwards of $1000

POLICY 1: NEW WATER RESTRICTIONS

www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/WaterRestrictions/

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/UK

METRO WATER PLAN:KEY POINTSRequirement for new buildings to use 40% less water than the NSW averageDrinking water use is determined by the number of household occupants, the size of the garden area, the size of the swimming pool (if nominated) and the influence of local climateVery flexible, including:

Water efficient fixturesRainwater tanks for garden watering and toilet flushing. Alternative water supplies including domestic grey water, groundwater and recycled water supplied via a third pipe system.Drought tolerant plantingsSwimming pool coveringsIn multi-unit dwellings, grey water treatment systems or water efficient clothes washers and dishwashers,Provided certain criteria are met, other water saving technologies as they come to market.

In alterations rainwater tanks are required only if a swimming pool is being installed.In alterations the additions need to meet BASIX guide lines.

Compulsory water tank installation for all new houses and multi-unit dwellingsCompulsory grey water system installation for all new homes and multi-unit dwellingsFor alterations to existing houses, rain water and grey water tanks are compulsory additions.Other strategies for water reduction are optional, including:

Water efficient fixturesDrought tolerant plantingsSwimming pool coverings

The installation and use of rainwater and grey water tanks can reduce the consumption of water in an average house

hold by 40%-50%

POLICY 2:

Water Use Around the Home

Metro Water Plan 2006http://www.basix.nsw.gov.au/information/index.jsp

OUR PLAN : KEY POINTS

NEW WATER PRICING SYSTEMRESIDENTIAL PRICE SYSTEM

USE UP TO 75KL $1.20 PER KL

76KL – 150KL $3.00 PER KL

ABOVE 150KL $3.50 PER KL

COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, INSTITUTIONAL AND MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS

FIRST 10KL $4.00 PER KL

11KL - 2000KL $1.80 PER KL

ABOVE 2000KL $2.00 PER KL

The new water pricing system is based on a taxation system,

which is used in Canada rather than the penalty system used in Australia.

With this system the average 4 person family will pay the same water bill with out rainwater and gray water capabilities, however they will

save over 60%of their bill with rain water and grey water systems.

This would save them around $504 yearly

Under the governments plan you can only save $472.40

GOVERNMENT WATER PRICING SYSTEM

ALL USERS

UNDER 100 KL $1.339 PER KL

OVER 100 KL $1.828 PER KL

POLICY 3: WATER PRICING

Drinking Water Consumption

by Sector

Metro Water Plan 2006Water Rates & Charges By-law, Council of the City of London, Ontario, Canada 2006

Sydney Water, Usage charges 2007-2008

Dam Level 100%• New Water Pricing Schemes• New BASIX Initiatives• Mandatory water restrictions• Deep Water Harvesting

Dam Level 70%• Level 1 Water Restrictions• Groundwater Harvesting

Dam Level 60%• Level 2 Water Restrictions

Dam Level 40%• Level 3 Water Restrictions

Dam Level 25%• Level 4 Water Restrictions

Dam Level 20%• Desalination Plant running at full capacity

Dam Level 15%• Level 5 Water Restrictions• Increased Pumping from Shoal Haven

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION