Urban Water Security Research Alliance

Transcription

1 Urban Water Security Research Alliance How Long will a Rainwater Tank Last? Do You Know? Magnus Moglia Grace Tjandtraatmadja and Ashok Sharma Decentralised Systems Project 15 September 2011

2 RAINWATER TANK UPTAKE IN SEQ Rainwater tanks installed in 38 percent of households in Queensland by 2009 Since 2007, QDC MP4.2 resulted in an additional 30,000 tanks installed in new homes (this number is now old as it is from a paper from 2010) 57% of houses less than 1 year old are connected to a rainwater tank Major water savings on an urban catchment scale >$500 per household in SEQ

3 RAINWATER TANK UPTAKE IN SEQ Rainwater tanks installed in 38 percent of households in How Queensland do you protect by 2009 and ensure the value Since 2007, QDC MP4.2 resulted in an of this considerable additional 30,000 tanks installed in new homes investment by the (this number is now community? old as is from a paper from 2010) 57% of houses less than 1 year old are connected to a rainwater tank Major water savings on an urban catchment scale >$500 per household in SEQ

4 INTRODUCTION Focus: Household rainwater tanks Research questions: What is the current institutional context of rainwater tanks in SEQ? Is there a need for a new governance mechanism for rainwater tanks in SEQ? What is known about the condition of rainwater tanks and what is not known? What are the possible mechanisms for governance of rainwater tanks in SEQ?

5 CONTENTIOUS ISSUE Need to identify and involve all stakeholders in the process. Allow stakeholders to have some input into the identification of strategy alternatives. Strive for communication and engagement with all stakeholders. Strive to increase the awareness of the interest and preferences of all stakeholders. Contentious topics involve issues that can create real strife or moral outrage amongst stakeholders, and these therefore need to be identified. Handle and attempt to resolve conflict in a way that aims to find compromise or consensus solutions. Being clear about the role of researchers as providing information and to facilitate discussion. Ensuring research process provides multiple alternatives from which decision makers can choose.

6 RESEARCH STEPS 1. Literature review 2. Interviews with stakeholders 3. Web based survey of professionals 4. Computer simulations to explore reliability issues 5. Synthesis

7 STAKEHOLDERS Stakeholder Group Role Interest Householders Householders have rainwater tanks for a range Paid and own rainwater tank and its water. Interests of reasons, including having: differ across the group: Purchased a tank using the government Rainwater in tank is a personal discretionary rebate scheme. supply of water. A newly developed house with a mandated Rainwater tank is part of water supply tank. infrastructure (mandated tanks). A tank to provide water for gardening Want water supply to work. during times of restriction. Feel good, helping the environment. Council Councils are responsible for implementation of State legislation at local level. This includes: Administration of rainwater tanks rebates claims during their validity period. Approvals of new dwelling plans to ensure compliance with local laws and compliance with Queensland Development Code (QDC) MP4.2. Inspection and certification of rainwater tanks in new dwellings if contracted to do so. Handling public health (mosquitoes), contaminants and amenity complaints and prosecution. In some instances testing of water quality. Manage certification requirements, but cannot ensure that all properties certified by third parties are inspected to their standards. Have no role after implementation unless following up on the investigation of complaints on public health, contaminant or amenity. Are concerned that tanks may become a public health problem if not properly maintained. Want systems to comply with accreditation and safety requirements for their life and rainwater tanks to operate smoothly so that minimum intervention is required. Resourcing if to extend beyond current roles.

8 STAKEHOLDERS State government Develops goals, strategy and legislation for achieving water demand management as part of the overall water planning. Examples include: Public Health Act: protection of public Health. Plumbing Act: ensure minimum standards for systems and installation. Queensland Development Code MP4.2- water savings targets. Private enterprises supply (excl. plumbers) This includes a fairly broad group including: Developers: develop new areas and build houses for sale to the public. They are required to comply with local and State legislation. Typically sell house packages with pre-determined and standardised rainwater system options. Contractors (builders, building certifiers): hired by developers for their services. Rainwater tank/system retailers: stock and sell rainwater tanks and system components to private and corporate customers. Often sell rainwater and tank bundle to homeowners. Achieving long-term development goals and sustainable development. Maximisation of profit upon sale/service. Contractors: maintain service contracts and fulfill service requirements. Prefer clear guidelines and requirements standards for construction, installation and certification of dwellings and rainwater systems. Retailers: provision of goods and services as requested by buyer. Benefit from products with well defined specifications and standards.

9 STAKEHOLDERS Plumbers/Service enterprises Academics Consultants Service providers qualified to install, inspect and maintain rainwater tanks and their components. They are also required to comply with the Plumbing and Drainage Act and to provide indemnity and liability for services provided. Some plumbing companies specialise on rainwater tank installation and maintenance. They can advice householders on rainwater system needs and maintenance, but householders decide if they want to implement their recommendations. Explore knowledge gaps and develop recommendations/strategies/tools in a range of disciplines. Often provide advice/recommendations to government/industry. This includes a broad range of professionals that may be involved in design, implementation, project management, as well as research and development of O&M guidelines and transfer of developments where rainwater tanks are adopted among other technologies. Believe rainwater tanks are an asset for future sustainability. Have observed rainwater systems with issues such as wear and tear, incorrect plumbing and material. Want more rigors in rainwater installation standards and minimum quality requirements for system components. Want improvement in quality of rainwater tank installations and its standards. Want clarity in legislative requirements (roles and liabilities) regarding rainwater tanks. Want legislation and regulations to be developed based on facts (scientific basis). Believe rainwater tanks contribute to sustainability. Want well defined design standards and guidelines, clarity in legislative requirements (roles and liabilities) regarding rainwater tanks design, O&M.

10 APPROVALS AND INSTALLATION Note: Adapted from HB230

11 PROFESSIONAL SURVEY Distributed via newsletters and 253 responses nation-wide, with 175 responses from Queensland 57% owners of a tank Stakeholders: work for council (13.4%), state government (17.5%), service enterprises (46.3%), other (6.1%)

12 PROFESSIONAL SURVEY: RESULTS

13 SELECTED INSIGHTS It is a contentious issue! 5-10% were expressing some real anger and strong emotions. Perceptions vary between stakeholder groups: Government representatives are very worried, pessimistic about the state of tanks (explains project) Owners are considerably more pessimistic than nonowners Survey respondents not stating their stakeholder group are not too worried about tanks at all. Not many really seem to want to challenge status quo because it costs money and no-one really wants responsibility.

14 SIMULATION RESULTS Monte-Carlo Simulation based on Reliability Engineering concepts Frequency of Inspections Proportion of Tanks with Blocked Gutters* Proportion of Tanks with Broken Pumps Proportion of Tanks with Broken Meshing Proportion of Tanks that are Structurally Broken Proportion of Tanks in Good Condition** 1 month 17% 1% 1% 0% 98% 3 months 39% 4% 4% 0% 92% 6 months 54% 8% 10% 1% 82% 1 year 67% 19% 21% 2% 63% 2 years 75% 37% 38% 5% 37% *Note: If over-hanging trees **Note: excluding gutter concerns.

15 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? There is inadequate information regarding the condition of the existing asset stock and its impact. Based on judgments of expected time to occurrence of various types of tank failures, tanks would need to be inspected and fixed regularly or the likelihood of failure increases rapidly. There is a considerable level of resistance and outrage in the community in response to any notion of greater government control of what is perceived as a private matter. Most believe that O&M, as well as inspection of tanks, is a matter for householders themselves. It is unlikely that households will want to pay much more than $50 for annum for upkeep of tanks, especially if it is a mandatory charge.

16 A MODERN DILEMMA If what many people think is correct, then there is a real concern! But who should take responsibility? Anyone want to raise their hand? Modern dilemma: private property vs. public good. Who benefits? Who pays? Modern version of the tragedy of the commons? Do we need to go back to Ostrom?

17 MANAGEMENT OPTIONS: STAKEHOLDERS Educational programs/material/campaigns: Fact sheet/educational booklet Television advertising Reminders in the water bill Include education and communication in star rating Inspections and O&M: Notification on section 94 Use-worthy certification of tanks Plumbers when doing work onsite offer free assessment of tanks Financing: Payment for tank management via the water bill Discounted water bills where a receipt can be produced for maintenance on water tanks

18 MANAGEMENT OPTIONS: STAKEHOLDERS Educational programs/material/campaigns: Fact sheet/educational booklet Television advertising Reminders in the water bill Include education and communication in star rating Inspections and O&M: Notification acceptable. on section 94 Use-worthy certification of tanks Plumbers when doing work onsite offer free assessment of tanks Financing: Many ideas out there. It will however be critical to make sure the chosen strategy will be effective and Payment for tank management via the water bill Discounted water bills where a receipt can be produced for maintenance on water tanks

19 NEXT STEPS Work with stakeholders to narrow down the options that are acceptable from their perspective (workshop?) Provide further analysis and detail of chosen strategies Assess community acceptance in some kind of forum (citizen s jury?)

20 Urban Water Security Research Alliance THANK YOU