The City of Boroondara has taken a step closer to becoming a ‘water sensitive city’ following the release of a visionary report into sustainable water management.

The report, released last week, is a product of the Water Sensitive Cities Study Tour organised by Melbourne Water earlier this year.

Young leaders from local and state government, universities as well as the private sector travelled overseas to research sustainable water management practices of other countries.

City of Boroondara’s Mark Brennan was chosen to take part in the study tour group because of his award-winning work in water sensitive urban design.

Many of the reports findings have already been shared with colleagues and senior staff via a series of internal presentations.

The City of Boroondara will continue to review the recommendations to see what ideas are appropriate for Boroondara.  Some of the key recommendations of the report include:

Reduce potable mains supply water use to 100 litres per person per day (with any additional water use beyond this amount supplied by alternative water sources such as rain water or grey water).

• Implement 7 Star building efficiency and minimum standards for major water-using appliances in all new or renovated homes and businesses to eliminate unnecessary water and energy wastage.
• Establish awards programs and expos that recognise leadership in becoming a water sensitive city to showcase innovation and promote Australian cities as international leaders in the field.
• Australian cities should join existing international Water Sensitive City ‘learning alliances’ made up of different research partners and pilot cities to be at the forefront of technology and innovation.
• Make the connection between water and energy, through pilot projects that have dual energy and water objectives such as developing energy recovery from wastewater.

The study tour report will be made available on Council’s web site.

Mayor, Cr Jack Wegman said Council grasped the opportunity to participate in the Water Sensitive Cities Study Tour with both hands.

"It will be of great benefit to residents and businesses in Boroondara, as the knowledge we have gained of world’s best practice in sustainable water management will be applied to Council projects," Cr Wegman said.

"This Council is committed to building a sustainable future for the Boroondara community."

The knowledge gained from this tour is already being applied to Council projects.

Some of these include the investigation of water capture and storage opportunities at Markham Victory Reserve Community Garden and Ashburton pool.

A Water Management Plan is also being prepared for the Glenferrie Oval, Grace Park and LE Bray Reserve in Hawthorn, and water sensitive design is now being routinely applied to many park and streetscape improvements projects. 

Council has just had great success promoting the Victorian Government's GreenHouse Project and the Live Green with LESS program.

"Strong Council promotion resulted in Boroondara leading the uptake among participating councils with more than 400 households receiving an in-home sustainability assessment.

"Many more had free energy-saving light bulbs and water saving showerheads installed."

Overall, the initiatives replaced:

• 30,342 light bulbs
• 487 showerheads.

This should result in more than $3 million saved on electricity bills over the lifetime of the bulbs and showerheads.

The environmental benefits include water savings and an estimated saving of 17,242 tonnes of greenhouse gas.