The Government has established several initiatives to encourage Victoria’s non-residential sector to become more water efficient:

• Annual water reporting – Since 2006/07, water corporations report annually on significant water users. These users are named in Parliament as part of the annual reporting process. The level of individual water use is not disclosed.
  
  
• Pricing – In its recent pricing decision for the metropolitan water retailers, the Essential Services Commission (ESC) has increased the proportion of consumption based water charges. This will assist in encouraging sustainable water use by non-residential customers in Melbourne.
  
  
• Analysing (benchmarking) water use – Industry groups will work with water corporations and the State Government to build a stronger picture of how water is used by industry and where savings can be made.

Industry-specific Programs

The Government is working with a number of specific industries to assist in reducing water consumption:

• Cooling Tower Program
  The Cooling Tower Water Efficiency Program, which was completed in 2010, was implemented to optimise cooling tower maintenance and operating processes.
  
  The program developed an online tool to allow businesses to increase water efficiency in the operation of their cooling towers. This tool is available at: www.ctwec.com
  
  
• Laundry Program
  The Laundry program was completed in 2010 and was aimed at best practice operating processes for laundries. Further information can be found on the Making Water Work: Laundries Water Efficiency Program website.
  
  
• 5 Minute Guides to water efficiency
  The Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA), in conjunction with the Victorian Government, have developed a series of 5 Minute Guides to assist industrial water users in evaluating and measuring their water usage and to ensure relevant industry water users operate efficiently to produce significant water, energy and cost savings. The PACIA 5 Minute Guides are available from the PACIA website. 

Receive recognition for sustainable water use in your business with the savewater!® Awards.