Water smart buildings: the Government Buildings Water Conservation Program
Background
South East Queensland recently experienced the worst drought in over 100 years, where major reservoir water levels dropped to historically low levels.
The Queensland Government implemented a number of key water management strategies, including the conservation of potable water within high water use Government assets. The Department of Public Works delivered water smart buildings: the Government Buildings Water Conservation Program to deliver a strategy and a program of works to reduce water consumption in new and existing Government owned office buildings.
Successful outcomes of the Government Buildings Water Conservation Program included:
- achievement of best practice in a number of key areas, including the internal Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Policy, installation of water efficient dual flush toilets, adjustment of the flushing volume and delay of urinals and implementation of other water saving measures
- implementation of Water Efficiency Management Plans for DPW owned office buildings in the drought affected South East corner of the State
- implementation of water conservation measures for DPW owned office buildings in current and previously drought affected regional areas throughout the State
- implementation of alternative water collection and grey water systems in selected DPW owned office buildings
- a reduction in potable water usage of approximately 54% in 37 government buildings in south east Queensland when comparing 2004-2005 and 2007-2008 annual water data
- remote monitoring of building water usage via an online water utility database
- development of a suite of water management guidance material.
Guideline
- Water management in government built assets [PDF | 673kb]
Practice Note
- Water use reduction in government built assets [PDF | 471kb]
Fact Sheets
- Fact Sheet 1 - Findings from a water use monitoring trial within government office buildings [PDF | 449kb]
- Fact Sheet 2 - Sustainability rating tools for benchmarking water efficiency in Queensland Government buildings [PDF | 357kb]
- Fact Sheet - Medium Level Water Restrictions, Business Overview [PDF]
- Fact Sheet - Applying Medium Level Water Restrictions in Government Facilities in South East Queensland [PDF | 389kb]
Important Links
- Queensland Water Commission – The Queensland Water Commission’s Homepage
- Queensland Water Commission - Medium Level Water Restrictions
- Waterwise Queensland – The Environmental Protection Agency’s guide to water conservation
- Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) – National labelling scheme for water-using products
- Water Efficiency Guide: Office and Public Buildings – Department of Environment and Heritage (Federal)
- Climate Action Network Australia's Water site – information about Australia's water resources
- Brisbane City Council – Water Efficiency and Restrictions
- Ipswich City Council – Ipswich Water
Last Updated 05/08/2009
