2009 Large Business Awards

These days, water authorities are faced with an array of new technologies when they seek to replace infrastructure or plan new connections, but the best choices and combinations aren’t always obvious. Getting it right is increasingly critical due to ongoing drought, pressure on supply from urban expansion and concern about greenhouse emissions used in pumping water. In 2006, Yarra Valley Water began a research project with RMIT University and CSIRO on water and sewerage servicing for new developments. The research compared alternative servicing options such as recycled water, rainwater tanks and greywater recycling, with traditional centralised servicing. It found alternative servicing options can produce better environmental outcomes, such as reductions in greenhouse emissions, nutrients and stormwater run-off and lower community costs than traditional options. In 2008, the project won an International Water Association prize for research excellence.