The challenge for business now is to transcend compliance obligations and move towards truly sustainable operations, taking a holistic approach to environmental, social and economic values. This has become a key competitive issue and is increasingly likely to become a differentiator between those who succeed and those who do not.

As the remediation industry matures and becomes more conscious of the impact of remediation activities on the environment, the question now arises whether these technologies are sustainable remediation approaches to be considered in the future.

Australians have continued to make their mark on the international water scene as part of Singapore International Water Week, sharing local experience with nations struggling with extreme water challenges. And one message is that ‘big infrastructure’ is not always the solution.

Continued population growth, droughts and limited water storage capacity are placing ever increasing pressure on Australian water supplies. One of the responses to this pressure has been increased use of recycled water. However, increased use has to be balanced against protection of public health; the greatest risk is from enteric microorganisms.

A series of compromises by the federal government on its pre-election commitment to take strong action on climate change has led to national and peak state-based environment organisations today uniting in opposition to the proposed emissions trading legislation.

A French-developed security platform which turns email into the electronic equivalent of registered mail could help deal with the bureaucratic paper mountains throughout Europe.

SA Water is a government-owned corporation that provides water and wastewater services to over 1.5 million customers throughout South Australia. The company has the task of managing more than $8 billion in assets, composed of more than 33,000 kilometres of water and wastewater mains, associated treatment plants, laboratories and fabrication workshops.

Linksys, a division of Cisco, has reduced packaging for its consumer networking products and it has received Energy Star certified ratings on power adapters included with more than 30 of its products.

A Western Australian renewable energy company has become the first organisation to benefit from the Australian government’s $10 million dollar Researchers in Business program.

H20 Industries’ High Turbidity GreyWater Treatment System has been able to successfully treat greywater collected from commercial laundries, residential and office buildings to class A+ quality.

CSIRO is working with Australian company VR TEK Operations to design and develop a new, improved method of recycling waste rubber which could be used to make new tyres, industrial insulation, road pavement, flooring or geotextiles for retaining walls and embankments.

The Linear Fresnel Solar Power Plant, which is now in commercial operation, has been developed in Spain by a company majority owned by Transfield Holdings, Novatec Biosol AG.

GHD has developed a concept to cut energy use in high-rise buildings.

A combined effort from a number of suppliers has resulted in the successful operation of a water reclamation scheme at Echuca, on the Murray River, north of Bendigo.

Linksys, a division of Cisco, has reduced packaging for its consumer networking products and it has received Energy Star certified ratings on power adapters included with more than 30 of its products.