Environmental commitments
We protect and improve our environments and our water delivery for today and tomorrow. Our mindset is focused on sustainable practice and good environmental management, always looking to minimise and reduce the impact of our work, and to seek positive environmental outcomes.
Being a responsible custodian of water resources means finding that delicate balance – providing services and minimising adverse impacts on the environment. We have teams of specialists whose input and environmental knowledge ensures local environments are respected and protected.
Our key commitments include:
- promoting conservation and source water protection through effective land management
- using our natural resources efficiently
- effectively preventing and managing sewage (wastewater) overflows
- minimising discharges from our wastewater treatment plants
- effectively managing biosolids and hazardous wastes
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
We are a signatory to the Australian water industry’s commitment to support the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations General Assembly, and a participant of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
Here are 4 examples of how we’re putting that commitment into action:
1. improving the quality and reliability of drinking water in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytijatjara (APY lands) in north-western South Australia.
2. providing free drinking water fountains across the state and encouraging reusable drink bottles through our BYOB program.
3. supporting community partnerships that share our vision of water management, education and conservation. This ranges from projects to build green spaces in our community, clearing marine debris from beaches, rivers and creeks, restoring the stonework of the Beltana Weir to protect a local community’s dam, building water-wise wicking beds to grow fresh food and vegetables, or promoting sustainable gardening practices at community festivals.
4. Creating a zero cost energy future through solar-powered water treatment plants.
The South Australian community values environmental protection, and we rely on a healthy environment for sourcing the best, most cost-efficient water for you.
We want our impact on the environment to be positive. That’s why we’re always looking for ways to do more.
When planning works, we undertake environmental and heritage assessments. These are used to identify potential impacts on the environment during design and construction. For many of our projects, we build environmental management into the planning stage with early project input and dedicated environmental management plans.
We are committed to responding effectively to climate change through our climate change strategy. It touches on all aspects of our business with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change, and contributing to climate change research. Supplying water from recycled and desalinated sources are just some of the ways we are future-proofing your water.
We have been measuring our overall greenhouse gas emissions for nearly 20 years, and report this data to the Federal government every year. This helps us manage our greenhouse gas emissions to stay on track to meet our reduction targets by 2030.
Our work to apply groundbreaking research to reduce emissions at Bolivar is globally-recognised as a benchmark for wastewater treatment plants.
We have reduced our nitrous oxide emissions by 30 per cent, which also led to further plant improvements and energy savings. This research partnership has reduced our emissions footprint, and we are now impacting international climate change policy.
Compliance with Environmental Protection obligations (including water resources)
This measure tracks formal notifications from regulators confirming breaches under 9 pieces of legislation. These include:
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999
- Water Act 2007
- Landscape South Australia Act 2019
- Environment Protection Act 1993
- Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988
- Heritage Places Act 1993
- Native Vegetation Act 1991
- Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007
- Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016
SA Water continues to demonstrate a high level of compliance with a pleasing result of 100% compliance achieved against environmental legislation relevant to the business during the 2023-24 period. More information on compliance can be found on our environmental performance page.
SA Water’s environmental commitments are to adhere to relevant environmental legislation, legal requirements and environmental agreements. SA Water works collaboratively with government to implement best practice solutions.
Engaging directly with our customers and community is essential to how we operate. It enables us to keep you informed and gives us an understanding of what’s important to you, so we can continuously improve our services to meet your needs and expectations.
To understand how we safely manage our wastewater treatment plants, or to join the conversation and share your ideas, visit our Wastewater Treatment Plant WaterTalks page.