EVENTS IN FEBRUARY 2003
The Water Directorate is a voluntary association of councils and county councils that operate water and/or sewer businesses in regional NSW. Our monthly newsletter seeks to inform member councils and all sectors of the NSW Local Government Water Industry of the developments that have taken place regarding technical issues and networking during February 2003 and of coming events. This newsletter is sent to General Managers and to Water and Sewer Managers in 121 regional councils in NSW and also to approximately 100 contacts in government departments, councils and private industry across Australia. We hope you enjoy this newsletter.

MEMBERSHIP
It is very pleasing to announce that Copmanhurst Shire Council is our latest member council bringing membership to 101 and bringing membership in the North Coast Group of Councils to 11 out of 12. Eloise Stanley or myself would be very happy to send membership kits to potential new member councils. All new members should be aware that past publications can be purchased at the reduced member rate and that a copy of each new publication will be distributed gratis.

HIGH PRIORITIES FOR THE WATER DIRECTORATE IN 2003
The new Executive Committee of the Water Directorate had its first meeting on 6 February 2003. The meeting focussed on planning the year's high priority actions and projects. The issues that the Executive Committee will address this year include: Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Scheme Program; National Competition Policy Amendment Bill; Water sharing Plans; Integrated Water Cycle Planning Policy; Trade Waste Policy and Risk Management.
Guidelines and documents that the Executive Committee will develop and publish over the next 12 months include: Reuse of Sludge and Return Backwash Water from Water Treatment Plants; Cutting, Handling and Disposal of Asbestos Cement Pipes (see below); Water Supply and Sewerage Metering; Drought Management and Water Restrictions (see next page); Management of STP Impacts Beyond the Property Boundary; and Pressure Sewerage Systems. Thanks to the member councils that sent in their suggestions to the Executive Committee for consideration.

BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR CUTTING, HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPES
The latest version of the Cutting, Handling and Disposal of AC Pipes Guidelines was reviewed by our Technical Sub-committee on 27 February 2003. Some changes were suggested to improve the technical content of the guidelines and these have been completed by the consultant. The document will be mailed to all member councils by the end of March 2003. The guidelines should be included as a new section in the Technical Guidelines folder sent with the Backflow and Cross Connection Prevention Guidelines in November 2002.

INCORPORATION OF THE WATER DIRECTORATE
Previously I mentioned the evolution of the Water Directorate to an Incorporated Association effective from 4 December 2002. For the incorporation process to be completed, the assets of the NSW Local Government Water Industry Directorate need to be transferred to the Water Directorate Incorporated and the unincorporated association dissolved. Shortly a letter will be sent to the General Managers of all member councils outlining these procedures and seeking their approval to amend the Statement of Objects and Rules accordingly.
The Water Directorate will continue to operate in the same manner and structure as we have for the past four years. However, we will be more accountable to our members as we have to comply with the Associations Incorporation Act 1984 which requires additional responsibilities such as the holding of an AGM and the lodging of a statement of accounts. A copy of the Water Directorate's current Statement of Objects and Rules is available on our website at www.waterdirectorate.asn.au/downloads/Objects_and_Rules.pdf for reference.

PRESSURE SEWERAGE SYSTEM OPEN DAYS
Wagga Wagga City Council will be holding open days on their pressure sewerage schemes for interested parties. The open days will be on Friday 28th March 2003 and Friday 18th April 2003. Wagga Wagga City Council is a little more advanced with their installations than many of the other bodies contemplating the installation of these units and is happy to share their experiences gained from installing these units. Accordingly an informal evening before the site inspections is also planned, to allow for discussion. Interested parties should contact Eileen Gambell on 02 6926 9481, who can also provide additional details if required.

GUIDELINES FOR DROUGHT MANAGEMENT AND WATER RESTRICTIONS
Despite recent rainfall, the Executive Committee considers that the highest priority be given to developing Guidelines for Drought Management encompassing numerous related issues such as uniform water restrictions, demand management, enforcement issues, advertising issues, media and community liaison. This project would also consider how to administer restrictions and deal with swimming pools, commercial business, etc and the likely water demands for different types of restrictions. As a starting point for this project, it would be greatly appreciated if member councils could please fax or email a copy of their practices policies and procedures to me on 9283 5255 or garymi@bigpond.com

RAINWATER TANKS
As previously mentioned in the November 2002 newsletter, the interdepartmental Rainwater Tank Sub-committee is developing a NSW Government rainwater tank policy framework. The Sub-committee will make recommendations to the Government's Demand Management Working Group on suitable uses of rainwater and guidelines on the installation and maintenance of rainwater tanks in areas where there is an existing potable supply. The Sub-committee is to release a draft report for comment in April/May 2003. John Millay represents the Water Directorate on the Sub-committee which is chaired by the Ministry of Energy and Utilities (Contact Lee Hill on 02 9901 8409). The NSW Health Circular 2002/1 states that NSW Health supports the use of rainwater tanks in areas with an existing reticulated potable supply for all non-potable uses. This includes use outdoors such as garden watering and car washing, for flushing toilets and for use in washing machines but not laundry tubs. Potable water use is defined as water for drinking, preparing foods/beverages and for bathing and showering including hot water.

WATER CARTERS
Last month's newsletter advised that the NSW Health Circular Guidelines for Water Carters 2002/111 recommends that local councils maintain a register of water carters. Please note further that if a water carter receives water from a water county council and operates in various local council areas, then the water county council should maintain the register.

WATER TESTING
NSW Health advises that local Public Health Units can help arrange testing for microbiology, chemistry and pesticides. Where a new water source is being commissioned, these tests are provided free of charge. Radiological testing is available through ANSTO (contact Tom Loosz or Emmy Hoffmann, 9717 3903) or the Australian Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (Lynette Higgins, 03 9433 2211). PHUs can be contacted to discuss changes to water sources or treatment, or related problems due to the drought.

CRC FOR WATER QUALITY & TREATMENT WORKSHOP, PORT MACQUARIE
I represented the Water Directorate on day one of the two day workshop which was well attended by approximately 100 participants from NSW councils, DLWC, DPWS, EPA, NSW Health, SCA and private industry. The recent rain didn't hide the fact that blue-green algae is flourishing and critically impacting on the quality of the scarce water supplies. The AWA is gathering information from the workshop and should soon advise some URL links to view it. For more details, contact Rob Craig, AWA NSW Branch Administrator on 02 9495 9914 or email rcraig@awa.asn.au

WATER DIRECTORATE DISCUSSION FORUM
The Discussion Forum provides Water Directorate members with a way of networking with your colleagues in the water and sewer industry. All Water Directorate members are automatically included on the discussion forum email list and a password is no longer required. Everyone is welcome to post either information or queries on the Forum by sending an email to the Discussion Forum moderator at wd-forum@lists.ipwea.org.au. More information about how the Discussion Forum operates is available at http://www.ipwea.org.au/wd/membersonly/

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
For further information about membership or any water related issue, please contact me on 02 8267 3010, or garymi@bigpond.com or visit the website at http://wd.ipwea.org.au. If you wish to forward an issue to the Executive Committee, please contact your local representative or refer it to me. The remaining meeting dates for 2003 are 13 March, 8 May, 3 July, 4 September and 6 November .

Gary Mitchell
Executive Officer

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