By 2015, 70% of Melbourne’s wastewater should be recycled, and the Victorian Government needs to eventually move toward 100%, prohibiting wastewater discharge into the sea or waterways. Groundwater systems need better protection, and water bills should be weighted towards consumption to prompt behavioural change, according to a paper by the state’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

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The committee, chaired by former government minister John Pandazopoulos, laid out 48 recommendations in its wrap up of the 18-month Inquiry into Melbourne’s Future Water Supply.

Instead of treating water as a “once through system, with water from dams used once and then disposed of”, smarter use of existing sources can prevent shortages, the inquiry findings showed.

For instance, between 400-550 GL of stormwater runs down the drain annually now. This can cover the annual shortfall expected under projected demands in 2055, of between 210-302 GL, nearly twice over.

“The Victorian Government has met its water recycling target of 20% of total sewage inflows to Melbourne’s two largest treatment plants by 2010,” the report said. “The committee recommends that this target is changed to 50% by 2012 and 70% by 2015.”

“The Committee was also advised of the potential of indirect potable reuse as an option for supplementing Melbourne’s water supply,” it added, but said this wasn’t immediately needed to secure water supplies.

It also said that stormwater harvesting in new inner city developments can cut potable water demand by 35%. Current stormwater reuse is only 0.25%.

“The cost and planning and policy environment from the local, state and federal settings are key barriers” to wider uptake of stormwater harvesting in Melbourne. “The committee recommends that amendments be made to current planning provisions and building regulations to promote stormwater harvesting in Melbourne.

Among other recommendations contained in the paper were:

• metropolitan water retailers and Melbourne Water finalise guidelines to facilitate sewer mining projects, and the state overnment continue to promote the development of sewer mining projects as a decentralised wastewater treatment option;
• the contract for the Wonthaggi desalination plant be designed to allow the volume of water the plant supplies to be varied, so as not to provide disincentives for water conservation and the development of other water supplies – including stormwater and recycling – for Melbourne;
• a moratorium on the issue of all new bore construction and groundwater extraction licenses in aquifers covered by Greater Melbourne;
• the Victorian Government commit to finding a use for all treated wastewater and allow none to be dumped into waterways
• a Statewide Urban Stormwater Strategy to be completed urgently;
• green loans and other financial incentives to promote water efficiency and conservation; and
• a pricing structure for water where a fixed component is charged for the provision of water and sewerage services, and a variable component charged based on water used and sewage discharged.

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