Alternative water source for Melbourne comes out on top

Engineering, architecture and environmental consulting company GHD has received a Service Provider Innovation Award at the Smart Water Fund’s Innovation and Excellence Awards for its alternative water atlas for Melbourne.

GHD collaborated with the Institute of Sustainable Futures to analyse the potential costs, yield and benefits of four alternative water sources (centralised wastewater recycling, decentralised wastewater recycling, stormwater harvesting and rainwater harvesting) in a strategic and systematic way, while taking into account the spatial variability inherent in each option.

As Melbourne rapidly embraces alternative water sources, the project effectively demonstrates the significant role alternative water can play in Melbourne’s water cycle and aims to build an understanding of the parts of the city where it makes sense to invest in local-scale alternative water schemes.

“We are delighted that our research to potentially provide Melburnians with alternative water sources to mitigate against the impacts of climate variability, population growth, supply and increasing water cost has been acknowledged,” said GHD’s Manager, Victoria, Dean McIntyre.

“The award reinforces our commitment to innovation in the water sector and highlights the strength of our spatial and integrated water management disciplines.”

The Smart Water Fund is an initiative of the Victorian Government and the water industry, funded by City West Water, Melbourne Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.