Sustainability Indicators
Aim: The following Sustainability Indicator aims to demonstrate how we responsibly manage the supply and demand of water and maximise its sustainable reuse.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Where we would like to be:
To reduce the concentration of TDS (salt) discharged into our sewers, by our industrial customers, by 20% or 49 tonnes per day by 2009-10.
The program aims to:
- help us achieve the Victorian Government’s targets to provide recycled water to our customers, as reducing TDS in treatment plant wastewater makes it more suitable for recycling.
- reduce salt loads from our customers to the Western Treatment Plant
- increase the efficiency of the use of drinking water by commercial and industrial customers
- identify options for using recycled water within industry
Where we are:
| Total dissolved solids | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median concentration of TDS flowing into the Western Treatment Plant (milligrams per litre) | 1,100 | 1,000 | 980 | 950 |
| City West Water trade waste customer loads (tonnes per day) | 168t | 129t | 126t | 104t |
| Maximum target (tonnes per day) | n/a | 156t | 154t | 152t |
Results:
This year, the program has continued to expand and include partnerships with customers and industry organisations like the Australian Industry Group, Plastics and Chemicals Industry Association, Meat and Live Stock Association and the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce.
During 2005-06, 18 research projects related to this were completed, with another 17 projects continuing into 2006-07.
Where we are headed:
We are working with the EPA Victoria, Melbourne Water and the other Melbourne water retailers on developing a cleaner production model for small to medium sized enterprises. In particular, this group is working with 25 metal finishing customers across Melbourne to reduce heavy metals being discharged into trade waste from this sector.
