Eurobodalla Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy

Eurobodalla Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy
What are the Issues?
The NSW water reforms aim to achieve a better balance between water use and environmental
protection through setting environmental objectives for all NSW rivers which will cover river flow and
water quality objectives.
Water-sharing plans are being developed to protect our rivers, which become particularly vulnerable
during low flow periods.
Eurobodalla Shire Council’s (ESC) water supply, sewerage and stormwater infrastructure
requires upgrading to meet population growth and legislative standards. Developing an
IWCM strategy is a structured process designed to evaluate integrated water management
opportunities within individual towns and the Shire as a whole. Thus the IWCM strategy
developed in this report details the Eurobodalla community and Council’s vision to manage
urban water services within the local catchment context.
The broad IWCM strategy objectives are to achieve more efficient water use, to reduce
environmental impacts from water diversions, urban drainage and treated wastewater
discharges, and to reduce long term costs of water services for Eurobodalla Shire residents
and businesses. Some of the specific issues impacting upon Eurobodalla’s water services
are listed below.
Water Reforms
Pricing Reforms
Legislative Compliance Responsibilities
Catchment Management Issues
Urban Planning Issues - the Shire’s population is projected to grow from 33 100 in
2001 to about 47 500 in 2031
Urban Water Management Issues:
− Urban Water Use
Analysis indicates that the Shire’s annual urban water needs will increase
from the current rate of 5 300 ML/a to 7 000 ML/a in the next three decades
if current water use practices and trends continue.
− Urban Water Discharges
In the next three decades the wastewater flows are expected to increase by
30% from 4 500 ML/a to 5 850 ML/a. On-site systems account for around
15% of wastewater produced in urban areas of Eurobodalla. Approximately
85% (3 820 ML/a) receives secondary treatment at one of the Council’s five
STPs.
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