Sustainability in water means delivering resources and services to meet the needs of a growing population without harming the environment or contributing to climate change. To be sustainable, we must look at how we use water and the impact it has on the world around us.
In 2020, the supply and treatment of water for communities, businesses, agriculture and other uses accounted for nearly 25% of the Victorian Government’s total greenhouse gas emissions. That is about 900,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. You might know this as tCO2-e. That is comparable to taking about two million cars off the road.
Emission reduction is a big challenge for the water sector, but efforts are well underway to cut these emissions and to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. As of 2024, the sector’s emissions are now at their lowest since comprehensive emissions reporting began in 2012, and the sector has installed record levels of renewable energy generating solar, biogas, and hydroelectricity.
Victoria’s 18 water corporations have committed to taking action by reducing their collective emissions by 93.7% by 2030. The goal is to reach net-zero emissions no later than July 2035. This includes sourcing 100% of their electricity needs from renewable sources by 2025. These are some of the ways we achieve this:
Sustainable Water Strategies are long-term plans for Victoria’s water resources to secure supplies for cities and towns, industry, the environment and Traditional Owners.
To do this, they identify challenges to water availability and quality (such as population growth and a changing climate that includes more extreme weather events).
Less reliance on rivers and waterways will help, as well as adaptation to periods of dramatically higher or lower rainfall. An increase of and transition to manufactured water including recycled water, stormwater and desalination is also key.
There are 3 regional sustainable water strategies for Victoria:
Local shire councils will often also have sustainability plans with goals of net zero greenhouse gas emissions. This goes across all areas, including water. For areas prone to the effects of climate change and emergency events, like East Gippsland Shire Council, that becomes especially important and worthwhile.
East Gippsland Shire Council Sustainability Strategy 2022–2032 (2 min 5 sec)
Holly Wilson of the Water Sector Climate Adaptation team at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) discusses what is being done to adapt to our changing climate as well as her path to working in this important area.
Below you can find a variety of resources to further research and understand water sustainability in Victoria.
Agriculture Victoria case studies – reducing on-farm emissions.
Reducing water sector emissions – using innovation to reach net zero.
Sustainable Irrigation Program – working with farmers to deliver results.
Sustainability Victoria – reducing emissions across water, waste and energy.
Cultivating Community Carbon in Central Victoria – North Central Catchment Management Authority's Grow Towards Zero project.
YourHome – Australia’s guide to environmentally sustainable homes (Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water).
A selection of links from Victoria's water corporations. Find your water corporation and learn what they are doing about sustainability.
Cutting our carbon footprint – how Barwon Water are cutting from 40,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions a year.
Environmental sustainability – Central Highlands Water has pledged to reach zero net emissions by 2050.
Australian Water Association – how the water sector is working to achieve net zero.
Future Water Story: Water sustainability investigation – Melbourne Water teacher guides for years 7 and 8.
Our Path to Net Zero – Melbourne Water's action on climate change.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions – East Gippsland Water are progressing a series of projects to reduce emissions.
Smart Water Advice – Home advice for your kitchen, bathroom and laundry.
Zero Emissions Water – water corporations working together to reduce emissions.
A selection of links from Victoria's local city councils. Find your local city council and learn what they are doing about sustainability.
Sustainability at home – a guide by the City of Melbourne.
Sustainable buildings – a guide by the City of Melbourne.
Sustainability checklist and factsheets – resources by the City of Melbourne.
Sustainability in action – Community research at the heart of a sustainable City of Port Phillip.
Sustainability Victoria – upskilling councils with the tools to go circular.
ResourceSmart Schools is a free program offered by Sustainability Victoria. It supports Victorian schools to embed sustainability across the school facilities, community and curriculum, while saving resources and money for the school.
The water sector’s and net zero – a commitment to reducing emissions.
Building sustainable and resilient cities – Water Sensitive Cities Australia helping to improve the world.
Sustainability at the MCG – How Australia's biggest stadium is reducing emissions.
Powering the Eastern Treatment Plant with Solar – Melbourne Water.
Real Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Measurement Program – Melbourne Water.
Powering the future with sustainability – Southern Rural Water.
Sustainable Irrigation Program for chestnut farming – North East Catchment Management Authority.
Sustainable Irrigation Program for dairy farming – North East Catchment Management Authority.
Sustainable Irrigation in West Gippsland – West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
Understanding Farm Emissions for High School Agriculture Students – Wimmera Catchment Management Authority.
Return to the school water education resources home page.
Page last updated: 16/09/25