waterMAP Program
The Victorian Government’s new waterMAP program seeks to improve the water efficiency of major water using commercial, industrial and institutional customers.Background
In October 2003 a voluntary program between Melbourne’s top 200 non-residential water consumers and their respective water authorities was launched called “Pathways to Sustainability”. This program was designed to develop water management plans with significant water using customers. Given the success of the program (which saved 6.2 billion litres of water or greater than 13% of sector usage), the Victorian Government has committed to its expansion. This will now affect all Victorian non-residential customer sites which consume 10 million litres of potable (drinking quality) water or more at any one site from an urban supply. This is a mandatory requirement as part of each water corporation’s Permanent Water Savings Rules detailed in their Permanent Water Saving Plan (PWSP).What is a waterMAP?
A waterMAP is a plan to use water more efficiently by identifying specific water saving actions that can be implemented at a specific site. The word waterMAP is an acronym for Water Management Action Plan. City West Water has branded its own waterMAP as City West WaterMAPTM.What do waterMAP's do?
A waterMAP requires non-residential customers using significant volumes of water to:- Assess their current water use
- Identify inefficiencies and potential water savings
- Prepare and submit an action plan to implement water conservation actions
- Annually review and report on implementation of water conservation actions
Are they mandatory?
The registration and development of waterMAP's and submission to City West Water is a mandatory requirement. Annual reporting to City West Water on the progress of your waterMAP is also mandatory. This is part of each water authority’s Permanent Water Savings Rules detailed in their Permanent Water Saving Plan (PWSP). This means that waterMAP’s are required regardless of the current state of water restrictions. It also means that financial penalties or restriction of supply may apply to non-residential sites that do not comply with the above requirements.Who needs to complete a waterMAP?
The following customers will be required to prepare a waterMAP:- Existing non-residential customers currently using 10 million litres per annum or more of potable water.
- Existing non-residential customers that use 10 million litres per annum or more of potable water in the future. These customers will be required to register their intent to develop a waterMAP within a month of being notified by City West Water and then complete a waterMAP within three months of registration.
- New non-residential customers that City West Water estimates will use 10 million litres or more of potable water. These customers will be required to register their intent to develop a waterMAP before connecting to the water supply. They will then be required to submit a waterMAP within 3 months of registration.
All of these customers will be required to submit an annual report on the implementation of the plan and the savings achieved. See below for detailed process steps.
Note: waterMAP's are site based.
No customer site that uses 10 million litres a year or more will be exempt from the waterMAP process. However, plans developed under:
- the Victorian Government’s “Pathways to Sustainability” program may be accepted as a waterMAP such as those completed under the Save Water Efficiency Service (SWES) and Water Conservation Solutions Program.
- the following programs may be accepted as a waterMAP, providing they are site specific:
- Sustainable Water Use Plans for local government; and
- Resource Management Plans under Trade waste programs.
It is at the discretion of City West Water whether the existing plans are accepted as a waterMAP.
What levels of savings are expected?
It is recommended that businesses seek to achieve at least a 10% reduction in water use. While this is not a mandatory requirement, current non-residential water saving programs' have identified this as a n achievable water saving target to benchmark against. Many sites will be able to meet and even exceed this target.How do I develop a waterMAP?
The City West Water, Water Conservation Solutions Handbook includes all the information you will need to develop your City West WaterMAPTM. The Handbook is available by contacting City West Water or click here to download the Handbook [PDF 5MB].The following outlines the process for developing a City West WaterMAPTM and meeting all mandatory requirements of the program:
- Customer registration. Within a month of being notified by City West Water of your 2006-07 water consumption or your 2007-08 estimated consumption you must register your site. If you have already completed a City West WaterMAPTM (or equivalent) the site will be automatically registered. You will be advised by City West Water if this is the case. Click here to register for the waterMAP.
- Complete the City West WaterMAPTM and lodge with City West Water within three months of registration. The City West WaterMAPTM details actions to improve water efficiency and reduce water consumption at the site. City West Water will conduct City West WaterMAPTM workshops to assist with completion of your City West WaterMAPTM. Click here to register for the waterMAP.
- City West WaterMAPTM implementation. Customers implement the actions in their City West WaterMAPTM according to the timelines they have identified in their City West WaterMAPTM. Please note that it is not mandatory to implement a waterMAP but it is mandatory to develop, submit and review a waterMAP.
- City West WaterMAPTM reporting by annually updating the City West WaterMAPTM and Table 18 in the Water Conservation Solutions Handbook. Customers will be required to report annually to City West Water on the implementation of their City West WaterMAPTM and associated water savings.
- Annual City West WaterMAPTM review and improvement. Upon receiving your submitted City West WaterMAPTM, City West Water will review and assess to ensure it is completed as required. City West Water may assist you to improve your City West WaterMAPTM if required. This will happen on an annual basis.
What support tools are available to assist?
City West Water and peak industry bodies can provide assistance to our customers to complete their City West WaterMAPTM. This assistance may take the form of direct assistance to complete the City West WaterMAPTM, or it may take the form of training workshops or seminars.Programs
City West Water has two programs that can assist our customers:- Water Conservation Solutions Program for commercial and institutional customers
- Resource Management Action Plan for industrial customers
City West WaterMAPTM Workshops
City West Water are running City West WaterMAPTM workshops to answer your questions, inform you what resources City West Water has available to assist and demonstrate how to complete your City West WaterMAPTM. To register for a City West WaterMAPTM workshop click here.Promotional Signage
City West Water has a variety of promotional signage available for our customers use. These include various stickers and a poster which will highlight the need for water efficiency and conservation when posted across your site. To review or download signage available at City West Water click here [PDF].How do waterMAP's relate to the proposed Environment and Resource Efficiency Plans?
In 2008, Victoria’s major industrial and commercial consumers of energy and water (i.e. in the order of the largest 250 consumers) will be required to prepare an Environment and Resource Efficiency Plan (EREP) under the Environment Protection (Amendment) Act 2006. Such plans cover water supplied by the urban water authorities and any other form of water supplied under a legislated instrument such as a bulk entitlement or ground or surface water licence. An EREP requires an integrated analysis and plan for optimising energy and water use and waste production.Some major customers that have a waterMAP for a site may trigger an EREP if they consume more than 120 million litres of water or 100 terra joules of energy. These customers will be required to register with EPA Victoria, submit their waterMAP, and provide annual reports on the implementation and outcomes of their waterMAP. These customers may be required to provide supplementary information to ensure that their completed waterMAP meets the requirements of the EREP program. Water authorities will work with affected customers and the EPA to develop a waterMAP that meets the requirements of the EREP program to minimise duplication and rework for the customer.
If you think that the site you operate will trigger an EREP, contact City West Water as there is some additional information you could provide in your waterMAP that is likely to be required in an EREP.
For further information on the EREP program please contact EPA Victoria directly on:
EREP Project Manager
Regulatory Innovation Unit
EPA Victoria
GPO Box 4395QQ
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Email: erep@epa.vic.gov.au
How to get HELP
Contact City West Water if you need assistance Phone: 9313 8398.Other sources of assistance and advice:
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Vic Water |
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Department of Sustainability and Environment |
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Our Water Our Future |
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Australian Industry Group |
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Plastics and Chemical Industries Association |
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Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
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Grow Me the Money |
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Property Council |
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Textile Rental and Laundry Association of Australia |
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Green Plumber Association |
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Sustainable Gardening Australia |
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Alternative Technology Association |
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Environment Protection Authority |
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Fire Protection Association Australia |
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Plumbing Industry Commission |
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Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating |
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Facilities Management Association of Australia |
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Water efficiency labelling standards |
