FAQs

Potable water is suitable for human drinking purposes/consumption. In Melbourne our drinking water supply is sourced from catchments and a series of dams and reservoirs, particularly the Silvan Reservoir which connects to Melbourne's water reticulation system.  It should materially meet the requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004.

Stormwater has a considerable impact on our environment and yet provides an important opportunity to be reused. Urban stormwater runoff is generated from rainfall which flows over surfaces like footpaths and roads and becomes polluted. Stormwater is now the major source of many pollutants in Port Phillip Bay and degrades water quality. Such pollutants include litter, nutrients (including nitrogen and phosphorous) heavy metals, oil and grease, pesticides and detergents. 

Integrated Water Management (IWM) is a collaborative approach to the way we plan for water and manage all elements of the water cycle. It addresses all aspects of the water cycle including potable (drinking) water consumption, rainwater, stormwater, wastewater and ground water.  

The aim of managing water in a more integrated way is to: 

1. Limit the use of potable (drinking) water 
2. Use alternative water sources, like stormwater, for appropriate uses such as irrigation to green and cool our environment  
3. Manage the volume, rate of flow and remove pollutants from stormwater to minimise degradation of waterways
4. Support flood mitigation to reduce flood damage in our urban areas and better protect the environment. 

This collaborative approach allows us to identify and deliver greater value water cycle initiatives to improve the resilience and liveability of our city. In part, Integrated Water Management involves treating all water sources as resources, rather than as wastes for disposal.

Figure 1: Components of Integrated Water Management

The implementation of the draft IWM Strategy will require investment however, in the long term it will deliver multiple benefits. 

These benefits include (but are not limited to):

• Urban greening and cooling through the retention of stormwater in the environment, promotion of tree growth and associated shade, offsetting the urban heat affect;
• Improved waterway health through diversion and use of stormwater runoff, reduction of stormwater volumes reaching waterways and improvement of stormwater quality. In turn, these measures will reduce erosion of waterways, better protect habitat and remove pollutants from waterway flows to better support flora and fauna and enhance biodiversity outcomes.
• Reduction of the impacts of floods by utilising stormwater and reducing flood flows. An action in the draft Strategy – Part A, Chapter 3 requires flood modelling and mapping to better understand flood risk to better inform flood management; 
• Better management of drought impacts, through use of alternative water sources to provide supply even during water restrictions. The utilisation of alternative water sources to irrigate sports fields will enhance safety and access to outdoor sports even during periods of drought, enhancing community health, wellbeing and fitness; and 
• Improved community health and wellbeing including the mental health benefits arising from time in nature and improved access to recreational opportunities;

Some of the key IWM initiatives that have previously been developed in Manningham are highlighted in Part B of the Strategy. They include:

• Council led the development of the Bolin Bolin Integrated Water Management facility which is a regional scale IWM project. The project involved a partnership between Manningham and Boroondara Councils and Carey Grammar. The facility collects stormwater from a local Bulleen catchment and supplies the stormwater for the irrigation of sports fields at Bulleen Park, Carey Grammar and the Boroondara Freeway Golf Course;
• Council required the developer of the Tullamore Estate in Doncaster to undertake measures to treat stormwater to improve its quality before leaving the site. The development also incorporated a retarding basin to capture and slowly release flood stormwater flows to reduce flood risk for downstream properties; and
• Council collects rainwater from the roofs of buildings at the Council Depot in Doncaster East, to provide an alternative water supply for Council operations including street tree watering, maintenance and toilet flushing.

Council actions identified in the draft IWM Strategy are listed in the IWM Strategy – Part A.  A total of 25 actions are currently proposed which include:

• A Masterplan to guide the delivery of stormwater harvesting capital works projects to collect and treat stormwater for open space and sports ground irrigation and wetlands to improve the quality of stormwater;
• Development of a guide for developers to comply with IWM requirements of the Manningham Planning Scheme; and
• Flood modelling and mapping in partnership with Melbourne Water to better understand flood risk within the municipality.

A strategy is needed to review our management of water for the future and to respond to emerging challenges, including:

• population growth
• climate change 
• urbanisation.

IWM treatment development and collaboration with stakeholders requires long term planning to ensure that measures will be effective under a range of conditions and are affordable. Several actions identified in this draft Strategy will assist with pre-planning for future drought events and assist in meeting the challenges ahead. The draft strategy is essential to guide coordinated action for stakeholders to work towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

Council’s development of an IWM Strategy is consistent with the State Government policy direction set through Water for Victoria 2016, the IWM Framework of Victoria 2017 and Council membership of the Yarra Catchment Integrated Water Management Forum (see chapter 7 of the draft IWM Strategy – Part B for further information). 

The draft Strategy will complement other Council climate related strategies. It is based on a sound understanding of risk and of the challenges facing our community and will facilitate timely and proactive planning for a sustainable future for our community.

Council and the community cannot continue with current water management practices. 

Our continued reliance on potable (drinking) water without expanding the use of alternative sources such as recycled water, rainwater and stormwater would result in: 

• Increased pressure on drinking water 
• Decline in urban greening, tree canopy health and coverage 
• Reduced community amenity and liveability 
• Degradation of local waterway health 

(See Chapter 2.1 of the draft IWM Strategy - Part B for more detail on these challenges).  

The draft strategy includes actions that seek to reduce reliance on potable water, consider alternative water sources and contribute to the achievement of a resilient and liveable city. 

Victoria’s Climate Science Report 2024 documents how Victoria’s climate has changed since 1910 

It shows that: 

• Victoria’s average annual temperature has increased 
• There have been more intense, frequent and longer heatwaves 
• Our average annual rainfall has decreased 
• Rainfall patterns have changed to result in fewer periods of light rain and more frequent extreme rainfall events. 

These changes will impact on water supply into the future. 

(See Chapter 4.2 of the draft IWM Strategy - Part B for more detail on these challenges).  

Council has an important role in water management including: 

• Managing our assets that have a high water usage to ensure greater water efficiency;
• Managing the local stormwater drainage network. 
• Managing flood risks associated with the local drainage network. 
• Issuing land use and development approvals required under the Manningham Planning Scheme. 
• Participating and collaborating with the State Government on a range of strategies including: 
  • Yarra Strategic Plan (Burndap Birrrarung burndap umarkoo) 2022 
  • Yarra Catchment Integrated Water Management Plan 2022 
• Responsible for delivering the actions identified in the final Integrated Water Management Strategy. 

We all have a role to play in achieving a sustainable water future.  Even small actions can make a difference, save on water bills and help the environment. 

Our broader community utilise 98% of the potable water consumed in our City. On this basis, our residents are uniquely placed to reduce our demand on this valuable resource. 

Residents can reduce their potable water use by installing water efficient appliances such as low flow toilets and showerheads, using water-efficient appliances and/or taking a minute off their time in the shower. 

Residents can improve the quality of stormwater leaving their properties by taking actions such as constructing a raingarden or using biodegradable detergent when washing the car.