Town Water Risk Reduction Program 

NEWSLETTER ISSUE #7 | OCTOBER 2021

Welcome to the October edition of the Town Water Risk Reduction Program newsletter. 

Roadmap to an improved regulatory framework for local water utilities 

We are excited to say the Roadmap to an improved regulatory framework for local water utilities is very close to being launched by the NSW Government.

The roadmap reflects the outcomes of our engagement with the local water utility sector and our commitment to continue to work in partnership with the sector to improve the department’s regulatory framework.

We have incorporated your previous suggestions, clarified some actions and tweaked timing.

We look forward to sharing the final roadmap as soon as we can.

New partnership with Smart Approved WaterMark to provide subsidised water efficiency resources to local councils in NSW

Local councils and local water utilities across NSW can now access a full suite of water efficiency communications tools and resources at a reduced rate through a new partnership between the NSW Government and the Smart Water Advice Program.

About the Smart Water Advice Program
The Smart Water Advice Program is a resource designed to help water utilities, businesses, and councils provide professional water efficiency information to their customers. This improves community awareness and understanding, and influences community behaviour when it comes to water efficiency and reduced water waste.

Local water utilities and councils who are not current subscribers of Smart Water Advice can apply for a three-year subscription for the cost of just one year. For existing subscribers or those with a contractual arrangement through their Joint Organisation of Councils, this will be extended by a further 12 months at no additional cost.

How to subscribe and for more information
Visit Smart Approved WaterMark to learn more about the program. To subscribe or extend your current subscription, email info@smartwatermark.info

A webinar is being held on Wednesday 10 November for local water utilities and councils to learn more about the program and how to subscribe. Register to attend.

This partnership is part of the NSW Government’s Water Efficiency program. We are committed to ensuring communities across NSW are resilient, prosperous, and liveable by improving how we share, manage and use water.

Improving the integration of local water utility strategic planning with the Integrated Planning and Reporting framework

The Roadmap to an improved regulatory framework for local water utilities commits to developing an approach so that the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework of the Local Government Act can be used as a vehicle for an outcomes-based approach to local water utility strategic planning.

We asked Common Thread Consulting to review the existing integration of IP&R and the Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) framework and make suggestions for improvement.

We held two workshops to discuss this work, attended by 63 participants from across the local government and water utility sector. Participants expressed strong support and provided suggestions for the further work needed to determine how integration should occur. Several councils are providing case studies over the coming months.

The final report and case studies will inform our Strategic Planning Working Group in developing a new approach to local water utility strategic planning, and we are considering what guidance and support should be provided to councils to improve integration.

How to prepare for health based targets

Health based targets for assessing the microbial safety of drinking water are planned for inclusion in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. NSW water utilities planning drinking water treatment changes or upgrades should prepare for this future change by considering the outcomes of the NSW Health Cryptosporidium risk assessment communicated by letter from NSW Health in December 2019.

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment - Water will work with NSW Health to ensure that the Section 60 approval process appropriately assesses water quality risks. This assessment will ensure that risks to water safety, particularly from microbial pathogens such as Cryptosporidium, are effectively managed through the selection of appropriate treatment barriers.

Legends of Water

Congratulations to Wayne Beatty (Orange City Council) and David Kirby (Brewarrina Shire Council) who were named as 2021 Legends of Water by the Australian Water Association.

We are fortunate to have both Wayne and David actively involved in the Town Water Risk Reduction Program. David is a member of our Stakeholder Advisory Panel and Wayne is a member of our Technical Assessment and Approvals Working Group.

Wayne and David will be celebrated at the NSW Legends of Water Dinner on 1 December. This sold-out event recognises the achievements of water industry leaders who have not only been committed to creating a more sustainable water future but have dedicated their careers to promoting the importance of water in their respective fields.

Further information and feedback

Visit the Town Water Risk Reduction Program website for more detailed information including a fact sheet that sets out the Program scope and proposed focus areas.

Have your say

For more information or enquires please email the team at regional.town.water@dpie.nsw.gov.au