2 September 2004

EVENTS IN AUGUST 2004

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 August 2004 and of coming events. This newsletter is sent to General Managers and to Water and Sewer Managers in approximately 104 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.

AMALGAMATIONS AND MEMBERSHIP

In August, Coolah and Coonabarabran Shire Councils amalgamated to form Warrumbungle Shire Council. Membership is now 95 out of 104 potential member councils. Thanks to the councils that have rejoined and for your continued support. Only a handful of member council are still unfinancial for 2004/05. In addition to technical support and networking opportunities with all the member councils, financial member councils will receive the following new documents throughout 2004/05: Water & Sewer Meter Reading Guidelines; s64 Guidelines; Guidelines for Impacts beyond the Boundaries of STPs; and O&M Manuals for STPs and O&M Manuals for WTPs.

COUNTRY TOWNS WATER SUPPLY AND SEWEARAGE PROGRAM

Thanks to over 40 member and non-member councils that supplied case studies and comments in response to the July request for details of the impacts on them from the amendments to the CTWS&SP. Other responses are still welcome. From the responses, the financial impact of the reduced subsidy is $65M and therefore extrapolates to $100M or more for all councils. The survey information will be used for a joint LGSA/ Water Directorate  working group for discussions with state government. This issue was the topic of most concern at the Water Managers' Forum at Moama (see also next item). The information will shortly be made available on the website.

LGSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT WATER MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE

The big event in August was the Local Government Water Management Conference. Congratulations to the LGSA and hosts Murray Shire Council for holding another successful conference. Congratulations and well done to new Chair Clr Robert Bell, Snr Policy Officer Stephanie Smith, Mayor Brian Sharp and 'gladiators' Shires President Clr Phyllis Miller and Minister Frank Sartor. The Water Directorate  was pleased to co-ordinate the Water Managers' Forum for a second year and was particularly pleased with the standing room only attendance due to the burning discussion topics: Impact of the amendments to the Country Towns Water Supply & Sewerage Program, Best Practice Guidelines & the Dividend; and Pricing Policies. The Water Managers' Forum was a very timely opportunity for water managers and councillors to share their concerns with a third of the conference attendees choosing to go to this forum. Thanks again to Adrian Wells, Manager Upper Murray, Murray Darling Association for capably facilitating the forum and thanks to all personnel that helped to make it a success including Water Directorate Chair Daryl McGregor and the panellists from the Water Directorate Executive Committee : Stewart McLeod, Mike Rayner, Kent Boyd, John Gould, Jim Fear; and DEUS presenters/panellists Mike Partlin and Sam Samra. The notes on the issues generated will be available shortly on the website.

MEETING WITH MINISTER SARTOR

The most positive outcome from the conference, forum and meetings at Moama is a joint LGSA/ Water Directorate working group and the opportunity to join LGSA representatives in an early September meeting with Minister Sartor regarding impacts of the reduced CTWS&SP subsidy and ways to reduce those impacts. The meeting outcomes will be communicated in the next newsletter and the members' forum.

INTEGRATED WATER CYCLE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP, 15 SEPTEMBER 2004, ORANGE

Last call for the AWA/ Water Directorate /LGSA/DEUS IWCM workshop on Wednesday, 15 September at the Orange Ex-Services' Club, Anson St . This one day event will be an interactive workshop, with short presentations from DEUS, Water Directorate and AWA, along with two main discussion panels - one from the Pilot Councils' point of view, the other from a Consultants' aspect. For more details please contact Lee Devereux on 9495 9908 or email ldevereux@awa.asn.au

The intention is to hold 3 or 4 other workshops around the state depending upon the success of the first workshop in Orange , further demand, availability of speakers etc. The Orange IWCM workshop will be a good follow on from the Moama Conference IWCM Workshop and registrations so far for the Orange IWCM Workshop are very encouraging. The program is in the website was sent to member councils in early August and is available at: http://www.waterdirectorate.asn.au/news/ICWMWorkshop.htm

NSW HEALTH RECYCLED WATER WORKING GROUP

The drought and the introduction of initiatives such as the Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) have heightened interest in recycled water. Last year, NSW Health established the NSW Recycled Water Working Group to review the existing regulatory framework for recycled water. The Working Group consists of various NSW Government agencies and the Local Government and Shires Associations. The Working Group has produced an interim report and aims to produce a final report by 31 August. The final report will identify where further guidelines or alternative management systems are needed, and whether any existing guidelines need be reviewed. The Working Group's interim report has identified the need to:

1. Develop a clear & balanced regulatory & management framework for recycled water, with initial priority given to on-site wastewater recycling for multi-unit dwellings. The Working Group should oversee this process, and be adequately resourced for this task.

2. Review the current funding structure for alternative water systems to achieve appropriate regulation of monitoring and maintenance.

3. Communicate clearly to the community, the risks, benefits & requirements for installing & using alternative & recycled water systems.

4. Provide clear guidance on final uses of various alternative and recycled water sources, based on required water quality.

5. A proposal to establish a funded capacity-building program for State & local govt for all forms of recycled water, & initially target metro Sydney .

6. Continue to contribute to the National Guideline development process to ensure timely development of material that meets NSW needs.

Councils wishing to obtain a copy of the report are invited to contact the NSW Health Water Unit on 02 9816 0589 or email waterqual@doh.health.nsw.gov.au

ANNUAL NSW OPERATORS CONFERENCE, 21-22 SEPTEMBER 2004, PENRITH PANTHERS

The NSW Operators Conference is growing larger each year with more than 100 delegates and 40 trade displays expected to attend this year's event. Attendees will see and hear the best and latest operational information and technology. There will be short and sharp 10 minute presentations about practical operational situations with information that you can't get at any other conference. This year there will be three special interest sessions on Onsite Treatment Systems; Biological Nutrient Removal; and Lime Dosing. There will also be the Operators' Challenge and prizes for the best papers. For more information please contact Rob Craig on 02 94959914 or visit the web site at http://www.awa.asn.au/branches/nsw/index.asp

AWA EDUCATION PROGRAM MANAGER

AWA has recently appointed a new Education Program Manager, Corinne Cheeseman. This new role will provide coordination of water education across Australia . To facilitate this, a national network of water educators and stakeholders is being established. AWA through this new Water Education Network, known as WEN, will provide professional development and networking opportunities for those with an interest in water education. The Water Education Network will also receive a monthly e-newsletter. The first issue of the newsletter and further information on AWA's role in water education are available at www.awa.asn.au/education. If you would like to receive this free e-newsletter please send an email to ccheeseman@awa.asn.au and include a brief description of your interest in water education.

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT INSTITUTE

Member councils with an interest in water metering may be interested to know that a new body, the National Measurement Institute (NMI), and new legislation came into existence on 1 July 2004 . The NMI amalgamates three federal government bodies - the National Measurement Laboratory, the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories and the National Standards Commission. The NMI, for the first time will bring together into one body, government functions in legal, physical, chemical, and biological metrology; as well as providing integrated services to government and industry in these areas. The legislation establishes a statutory position of chief metrologist with responsibilities and functions relating to requirements in the National Measurement Act and the National Measurement Regulations. News item is courtesy of David Cox , WSAA National Codes Manager. On a similar note, the Water Directorate expects to produce and distribute its latest publication titled Water and Sewer Meter Reading Guidelines to member councils in September.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The remaining Executive Committee meeting in 2004 is scheduled for 4 November. Member councils are reminded that they are welcome to forward water issues to me for referral to the Executive Committee meetings. For further information about membership or any water related issue, please contact me on 02 8267 3010, or gmitchell@waterdirectorate.asn.au.

For more information contact: