Environment Plan Sydney Water s objectives, targets and actions to protect the environment and enhance the liveability of our communities.

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1 Environment Plan 18 Sydney Water s objectives, targets and actions to protect the environment and enhance the liveability of our communities.

2 Environment Plan 18 Introduction Sydney Water s vision is to deliver valued water solutions. We provide water, wastewater and recycled water and some stormwater services to the communities of Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains. Sydney Water s Environment Plan -18 sets out the objectives, targets and actions to protect the environment by managing and improving operational performance, to minimise environmental impacts. The Plan covers the next five years to 2018 with a focus on the current year of -14. The Environment Plan is updated annually and published on Sydney Water's website. Progress against our environmental objectives and targets is reported annually (as part of the Operating Licence Environment Report) to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) and in the Sydney Water Annual Report. Integration with Sydney Water s corporate strategy and business plans The Environment Plan is the mechanism used to articulate, manage and track Sydney Water s environmental performance. It provides a continuous improvement link between Sydney Water s corporate goals and its environmental performance. risk drivers and business environmental initiatives. Each action is assigned to a responsible manager and allocated a due date to ensure it is completed on time and to budget. Detailed performance indicators are set against each action. Each target is monitored and measured at six monthly business review periods. Overall organisational environmental performance is publicly reported at the end of each financial year. The Plan emphasises the importance of our customers and their contribution to our environmental performance. It sets our strategies to: enhance the liveability of our communities optimise our operations prepare for climate change and plan for the future Sydney Water remains committed to improvements to achieve greater efficiency. This has resulted in innovative approaches to achieve improved environmental outcomes. The Environment Plan -18 is aligned to Sydney Water s three strategic mindsets: 1) Customer focus 2) Business excellence 3) Forward thinking. The Plan captures environmental programs and targets set by Sydney Water s Operating Licence , developed from strategic Environment Plan -18 Page 2 of 10

3 ISO14001 certified Environmental Management System The Sydney Water Environmental Management System (EMS) provides the framework to develop, implement, monitor and review the environmental objectives, actions and targets set out in the Environment Plan. This is facilitated through the; Corporate risk management framework Corporate environmental reporting cycle and Sydney Water Environment Policy By implementing the ESD principles, Sydney Water will reduce risks to human health and environmental impact by: Reducing discharges to air, water and land Minimising the creation of waste Reducing the use of energy, water and other materials and substances Reusing and recovering energy, water and other materials and substances, where feasible. Internal and third party auditing programs. Principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development Sydney Water conducts its operations in accordance with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) articulated in NSW environmental legislation and Sydney Water s Environment Policy, namely: precautionary principle inter-generational and intra-generational equity conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity improved valuation and pricing of environmental resources. Environment Plan -18 Page 3 of 10

4 Key priorities for -18 Sydney s population is expected to increase by 1.25 million people in the next 25 years. Sydney Water needs to anticipate and continually adapt to meet the demands of a changing greater Sydney. The Environment Plan -18 highlights strategies to improve our connection with customers, work collaboratively with our stakeholders and improve environmental performance by identifying innovative ways of providing our products and services. The Plan is structured across three mindsets from Sydney Water s Corporate Strategic Plan -18: Customer Focus, Business Excellence and Forward Thinking. Customer Focus Sydney Water recognises that understanding customer requirements is essential to providing valued water solutions. We have created strategies and programs to enable customers to minimise their environmental impact. The Environment Plan -18 includes programs to analyse customer water consumption, assist business customers to develop water management solutions and manage their trade waste targets. Enhancing the liveability of our cities ensures that we meet the needs and expectations of our customers. We have developed innovative and valued options to improve the liveability of our communities. Business and Environmental Excellence Environmental compliance is monitored and measured through our audit and compliance monitoring programs. Reports on our environmental performance, including the Environment Plan Progress Report, are publicly available through the Sydney Water, Office of Environment and Heritage and IPART websites. Forward Thinking A growing population, economic uncertainty and emerging climate change issues require investment to continually provide quality products and services in addition to future proofing our infrastructure. As a smart utility we are reducing our carbon emissions by investing in technologies to reduce our carbon footprint and improve our operating costs. We are minimising and eliminating waste where possible within our operations, major planning and design activities. Our Residuals Management Program beneficially reuses waste from our treatment plants. We are improving the leadership capability of our staff to ensure they have the knowledge and understanding to meet their environmental accountabilities. Sydney Water is Australia s biggest water utility. We demonstrate our industry leadership through establishing effective relationships with our stakeholders and regulators. We work collaboratively with other government authorities to work towards the 2010 NSW Metropolitan Water Plan targets. Achieving operational and environmental compliance results in a commercially successful organisation. We have installed cogeneration iniatives and harnessed hydroelectricity at our plants to optimise our energy efficiency and treatment performance. Environment Plan -18 Page 4 of 10

5 CUSTOMER FOCUS OBJECTIVE: A leading customer centric organisation Customers understand and use the right amount of water Customers meet the benchmark target for their monitored water use consumption Customers effectively manage their trade waste discharges Revise our water efficiency report to more broadly communicate our mix of water sources and demand measures. Revise information for customers on household and business water use. Undertake demand forecasting and analysis. Implement the Customer Value Strategy. Implement the Business Customer Service Program to assist customers develop holistic water management solutions. Benchmark water consumption of significant business customers to enable them to use water and energy efficiently. Monitor water consumption of all business customers in a market segment and follow up significant increases in consumption to use water efficiently. Work with connected business customers to ensure compliance with Trade Waste Program targets. CUSTOMER FOCUS OBJECTIVE: Enhance the liveability of our cities Maintain or improve on the number of breaches of the Noise Management Code of Behaviour Minimise the number of odour complaints 1) Monitor noise complaints. 2) Implement remedial action as appropriate. 3) Monitor construction and maintenance activities to ensure they meet the requirements of Sydney Water s Noise Management Code of Behaviour. Ensure odour control programs for Cronulla and Malabar Wastewater Treatment Plants meet their targets. Monitor odour complaints and develop remedial strategies as appropriate. Complete implementation of the odour management strategy. March Environment Plan -18 Page 5 of 10

6 CUSTOMER FOCUS OBJECTIVE: Enhance the liveability of our cities Develop innovative and valued options that contribute to liveability Position Sydney Water in the community as a trusted and sustainable service provider that enhances liveability and delivers value Implement the Wet Weather Overflow Abatement Strategic Framework Deliver the Priority Sewerage Program for the provision of new wastewater services for outlying semirural villages. Review and develop Greenfield servicing strategies to identify and assess the viability of options to service North West and South West growth centres. Review and implement the Growth Servicing Plan. Provide input into the NSW Government review of the environmental planning system changes to ensure efficient and effective environmental assessment and approval processes for water infrastructure. Naturalise suitable stormwater channels when renewal and redevelopment opportunities arise. Implement plans of management for waterways and riparian land based on a total catchment approach. Promote the Tap and social media campaign to educate the community about the environmental benefits of drinking tap water. Investigate sustainable procurement options for Sydney Water. Deliver the Wet Weather Overflow Abatement Program for the Northern Beaches to reduce environmental impacts from wastewater overflows in wet weather January Develop and implement the strategic framework and plan for wet weather overflow targets beyond 2015 to minimise environmental impacts of wastewater overflows in wet weather. July 2015 Minimise the environmental impacts of dry weather overflows Implement the Dry Weather Overflow Program to reduce the number of dry weather overflows. Review and revise the dry weather overflow reduction strategy Develop a program to address the impact of chronic wastewater overflows within customer properties. Increase understanding of wastewater system impacts on the environmental health of waterways Develop waterway models for Port Jackson and the Georges River system. Participate in the 2015 EPA review of wastewater system licences Environment Plan -18 Page 6 of 10

7 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE OBJECTIVE: A commercially successful organisation Optimise treatment plant performance Improve operational and environmental performance for energy management at water and wastewater treatment plants. Publicly report, analyse and verify the impact of wastewater discharges into waterways. Act in accordance with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) environment protection licence (EPL) requirements for overflows from wastewater treatment systems. Act in accordance with the EPA EPL requirements for wastewater treatment plant discharge limits. Maintain ISO certification for the Sydney Water Environmental Management System Achieve regulatory and environmental legislation compliance Implement, maintain and review the Sydney Water Environmental Management System. Management of heritage assets in accordance with the NSW Heritage Act and the State Agency Heritage Guide. Manage and maintain heritage assets in line with the Strategic Heritage Asset Management Program (SHAMP). Conserve Aboriginal heritage in accordance with the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation Manage Hazardous Buildings Materials (HBM) on Sydney Water properties in accordance with Work Health & Safety Regulation As per program Incorporate Property Environmental Management Plans into routine grounds maintenance activities for Sydney Water owned land to ensure environmentally sensitive sites are properly managed. As per program Implement and report on Conservation Agreements that are relevant for Sydney Water properties. Comply with conditions of approval issued by the Minister for Planning under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act Environment Plan -18 Page 7 of 10

8 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE OBJECTIVE: A commercially successful organisation Achieve regulatory and environmental legislative compliance Comply with relevant environmental legislation requirements such as the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, National Parks and Wildlife Act, etc. Environmental risks associated with Sydney Water infrastructure are appropriately managed Project and program environmental risks are appropriately managed Review and report under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act and Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act. Manage land contamination on Sydney Water s sites in accordance with the: 1) Contaminated Land Management Act 1997, and 2) Protection of the Environment Operations Act Manage demolition and remediation projects on Sydney Water sites in accordance with the: 1) Work Health & Safety Act 2011 and 2) Protection of the Environment Operations Act Assess all land acquisitions and disposals for contamination risks. Identify, assess and effectively manage environmental risks for construction and maintenance activities by including environmental clauses in contracts with Sydney Water. Identify, assess and effectively manage environmental risks for infrastructure delivery activities using tailored procurement strategies. As per program As per program FORWARD THINKING OBJECTIVE: A smart utility Carbon emissions are maintained at a stable level Calculate, analyse and report annually Sydney Water s carbon footprint as part of our annual report. Annual Provide training and support for utilities purchasing a licence to use Sydney Water's Cost of Carbon Abatement Tool. Update Sydney Water's Climate Change Strategy to reflect the Climate Change Adaptation Program and Energy and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Strategy. Further develop and monitor the Climate Change Adaptation Program and associated projects. Track and understand the business implications of energy and carbon pricing and market movements. Environment Plan -18 Page 8 of 10

9 FORWARD THINKING OBJECTIVE: A smart utility Carbon emissions are maintained at a stable level Sustainable management of our assets Identify and investigate opportunities to use technologies to reduce Sydney Water's carbon and ecological footprint and operating costs. Conduct a wind power feasibility study and assessment of large scale wind power. Deliver critical and reticulated Water Mains Renewals Program. Review the decision framework for reliability and renewals. Sustainably manage stormwater assets. Deliver the Odour and Corrosion Program to extend the life of our assets. Ongoing implementation of the Avoid Fail Sewer Program to provide effective maintenance of our sewer pipes Achieve sustainable management of waste and eliminate waste streams where possible Develop a Resource Management Strategy for Sydney Water to provide sustainable resource recovery and waste management options for the future. Deliver activities set out in the Waste Minimisation Plan. Incorporate waste minimisation considerations into major planning and design activities. Implement the first stage of the Biosolids Strategy to reduce potential environmental health issues and minimise costs associated with biosolid production. Deliver the Residuals Management Program through beneficial reuse of water filtration plant residuals, wastewater biosolids, grit and screenings Environmental accountabilities are identified and understood by all staff and contractors as relevant to their work Develop a Sydney Water environmental capability program that improves manager, staff and contractor knowledge and understanding of their environmental accountabilities. Implement the Sydney Water environmental capability program to ensure staff and contractors have the knowledge and understanding to meet their environmental accountabilities. Coordinate specialist environmental training as set out in the environmental education program as identified and requested by managers. Environment Plan -18 Page 9 of 10

10 FORWARD THINKING OBJECTIVE: A key thought leader Work towards the Metropolitan Water Plan targets Maintain effective relationships with regulators and stakeholders Position Sydney Water in the community as a trusted expert and thought leader Expand recycled water supplies where commercially feasible. Contribute to the review of the NSW Metropolitan Water Plan and investigate long term supply-demand planning. Maintain an economic level of leakage as per our Operating Licence. Strengthen relationships with our regulators to improve their understanding of our capability to effectively manage Sydney Water's infrastructure and maintain environmental performance. Use the strategic partnerships program to showcase thought leadership, build relationships and advocacy. Deliver the Tours Program (including tours of treatment plants, heritage sites and the Water Recycling Education Centre) to educate stakeholders and the community about Sydney Water operations, innovations and facilities. Engage and educate young people about Sydney Water and our services and innovations, the value of water, and how Sydney's urban water cycle works. Environment Plan -18 Page 10 of 10