Future directions for
recycling OzWater 2014
Paul Smith
Recycling trends and directions
2000 – 2014 - 2030
Area
2000
2014
2030
Policy
Restrictive.
Fragmented.
“Security through diversity”, but some
options discounted…
All options routinely considered.
Integrated policy and investment across
water cycle
Technical
Regulation
End of pipe, restrictive, regulatory
duplication / gaps
Risk-based, National Guidelines and
tools. Efficient regulation.
“Smart” regulatory arrangements across
economic, environmental and health.
Infrastructure
Convention / single supply
(less than 4% recycled WW)
Diversified / interconnected
(20-30% recycled WW)
Integrated, harmonised.
(up to 100% recycled WW)
Innovation
Research-focused. Low efficiency,
high energy
Demand-led, national transferal, i.e.
co-gen, membrane advances,
analytical capabilities etc.
Nationally accessible, Internationally
exported
Competition
Uncompetitive market structures
Semi-competitive markets
Competitive neutrality across the sector
Economic
regulation
No pricing mechanism
Independent econ reg.
Pricing for recycled water.
Consideration of externalities
“Smart” regulatory arrangements across
economic, environmental and health
Assets
Government owned
Asset recycling, private participation
and ownership
Contestable market for water and
wastewater assets and services
Three priorities
1. Efficient regulation
1. Clear, efficient, effective and stable approval processes
2. Pricing based on ‘whole of water cycle management’ principles
3. National coordination (technical and economic)
2. Clear institutional and market structures
1. Competitive neutrality
2. Role clarity
3. Institutional alignment
3. Innovation
1. Demand-led R&D
2. Nationally coordinated & assessable, mutually recognised
3. Internationally exported
National consistency
National approach
Description
Output example
National leadership and
direction
National statement of
objectives for urban water
Overarching blueprint for urban water
Clear institutional and governance arrangements
Efficient regulation
Clear market structures
Regional and remote water services
National collaboration and
consistency
Inter-jurisdictional
collaboration
National Guidelines and Frameworks, i.e.
Efficient economic regulation
Aligning technical regulation
Clarifying market structures
Integrated planning frameworks
Utilities performance reporting
National facilitation and
knowledge adoption
National facilitation and
knowledge sharing
National forums and R&D platforms, consolidating:
skills and training
system validation
operator certification
efficient regulation
financial valuation
www.nwc.gov.au
The Commissions position on
recycling
1.
2.
3.
4.
Prior cost/benefit and risk analyses are conducted
which take full account of social and environmental
externalities and avoided costs
The best available science is utilised
The project is subject to best practice regulatory
arrangements (based on the Australian Guidelines
for Water Recycling).
The community participates in water supply
decisions and that subsequent management
arrangements are transparent and accountable.
Recycling regulation
Attribute
Quantity
Quality
Legislation
Water and Storage Entitlements and
Allocation
Human Health and Environment Protection
Surface
water
 Environmental flow requirements
 Catchment pollution control plan
 Water allocation plans and surface
water entitlements
 Water quality requirements for intended
uses
 Flood planning and management
 Risk management plan for water quality
 Landuse planning and construction
Groundwater
 Groundwater plan for entitlements
allocation
 Groundwater quality protection plan for
recharged aquifer
 Groundwater-dependent ecosystems
 Water quality requirements for intended
uses of groundwater
 Demand management plan
 Aquifer storage management plan
 Inter-jurisdictional agreements and
market operations
CSIRO. MAR: Policy and Institutional analysis
 Risk management plan for water quality
assurance beyond attenuation zone,
Recycling regulation
Attribute
Quantity
Quality
Legislation
Water and Storage Entitlements and
Allocation
Human Health and Environment Protection
Surface
Water
regulation
 Environmental flow requirements
 Catchment pollution control plan
 Water allocation plans and surface
water entitlements
 Water quality requirements for intended
uses
 Flood planning and management
 Risk management plan for water quality
 Landuse planning and construction
Groundwater
regulation
 Groundwater plan for entitlements
allocation
 Groundwater quality protection plan for
recharged aquifer
 Groundwater-dependent ecosystems
 Water quality requirements for intended
uses of groundwater
 Demand management plan
 Aquifer storage management plan
 Inter-jurisdictional agreements and
market operations
CSIRO. MAR: Policy and Institutional analysis
 Risk management plan for water quality
assurance beyond attenuation zone,
Regulatory roles
Jurisdiction
Number of
departments
involved in
regulation
Lead organisation for
proponent contact
Other organisations
ACT
3
EPA
Health, Planning
NSW
3
Office of Water
Health, IPART
NT
2
DIPE
EPA
Qld
3
DEW
Health
SA
5
EPA
Health, ESCOSA, Dept Water,
NRM Board
Tas
3
EPA
DPIPWE, Dept of Health
Vic
6
RWCs
EPA, Dept of Health, DSE
councils, Melbourne Water, DHS
WA
5
DoW
DEC, EPA, local council, Dept of
Health