Melbourne Water Corporation

1999/2000 ENVIRONMENT REPORT Vision

To be leaders in urban water cycle management

Responsibilities

Melbourne Water is a statutory corporation wholly owned by the Victorian Government. It was established to provide important water, drainage and sewerage services to the community. The responsible Minister is the Hon. Sherryl Garbutt, Minister for Environment and Conservation.

Melbourne Water has an important role in managing the urban water cycle for the benefit of present and future Victorians. How well it does that has a major impact on public health and the environment.

Melbourne Water: • Manages the city’s water supply catchments and supplies bulk water to other water authorities • Removes and treats most of Melbourne’s sewage • Manages waterways and major drainage systems in and around Melbourne

In undertaking these responsibilities Melbourne Water aims to meet the following objectives:

Objectives

• Manage Melbourne’s water resources and the environment in a sustainable manner • Protect public health • Provide excellent service and maintain the trust and respect of the community • Operate as a successful commercial business Contents

Foreword 3

Report Cards 4 This section is presented as a series of 13 report cards on Melbourne Water’s management of its environmental obligations.

Managing River Flows 4

Waterway Water Quality 8

Waterway Ecology 12

Marine – Port Phillip Bay 14

Marine – Boags Rocks 16

Marine – Western Port 18

Water Resource Management 20

Energy and Greenhouse 22

Local Amenity 24

Biosolids 26

Western Treatment Plant – Environmental Management of the Wetlands 28

Trade Waste 30

Waterways and Drainage Operating Charter 32

Data 34 1 Eastern Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000 34

2 Western Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000 38

3 Waterway Water Quality Monitoring Results 1999/2000 46

4 Operating Charter Performance Summary 1999/2000 53

Environmental Incidents Summary 58

Environment Policy 59

Verification Statement 60

Glossary 62

Feedback Form 63

1 Foreword

People have high expectations of Melbourne Water. They judge us on how well we protect and improve the environment as well as on the quality of the services we provide. Increasingly, they recognise water is a scarce resource.

Because of that, Melbourne Water identifies managing water resources and the environment in a sustainable manner as one of our key business objectives. This report scrutinises our environmental performance in 1999/2000 and our plans for 2000/2001.

Our Environmental Management Systems are designed to prevent environmental problems. During the year, our systems were certified to the International Standard ISO 14001. We also work with independent researchers and other Government agencies to develop and implement strategies that reduce environmental impacts.

You can see this approach in the 13 "report cards" in this document on Melbourne Water’s response to major environmental issues or responsibilities. Some significant milestones and achievements which are identified in these report cards are: • Planning for a new Water Resources Management Strategy, including water conservation and recycling initiatives • 100 per cent compliance with Environment Protection Authority requirements on the quality of treated effluent discharged to the marine environment • Commencement of process improvement works at both Eastern and Western Treatment Plants to reduce environmental impacts on Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait • Letting of a contract for the generation of electricity at Western Treatment Plant by burning methane produced in sewage treatment • Continued the construction of more than 75 ha of wetlands as part of the Healthy Bay Initiative.

The report also covers our response to difficult environmental issues created by a fourth year of drought. The severity of the drought could be seen in Melbourne’s streams and rivers. Flows in the Yarra River fell below the minimum required for 25 days. The minimum flow recorded was 201 megalitres a day.

This is the first year in which we have used the "report card" format in our environmental reporting. The format is designed to provide more meaningful information on major issues. The report cards are followed by a complete set of summary data similar in format to previous reports.

We believe that reading this report will give you a better understanding of the environmental issues in the urban water cycle.

Brian Bayley Managing Director

3 Managing River Flows

Our responsibilities Working with river diverters

Melbourne Water plays a major role in the management of river flows. During the year diverters who are licensed to take water from the Yarra and How well this is done can have a significant impact on the environment Maribyrnong Rivers and their tributaries faced continuing drought conditions. in and around our waterways, particularly in times of drought. The diverters use the water in businesses, farms and market gardens. Melbourne Water is responsible for: • Ensuring that regulated streams (those with dams and weirs) receive enough water or "environmental flows" to maintain river health What we did in 1999/2000 • Developing streamflow management plans Four years of drought reduced flows in both river systems to very low levels. The main water storage on the • Managing the pumping of water from rivers for agriculture and Maribyrnong River, Rosslynne Reservoir, was at an historic low. To meet environmental flow requirements, horticulture Melbourne Water therefore had to limit the amount of water that diverters took from the Maribyrnong River • Modelling the potential impacts of floods and protecting floodplains to just 35 per cent of their licensed allocation from Rosslynne Reservoir. This was done in full consultation • Providing information on potential flooding in the major waterways with the diverters. to the Bureau of Meteorology. Melbourne Water also worked with the Yarra River diverters to implement the Yarra Drought Response Plan. Managing these responsibilities in an integrated manner produces the This was necessary when it became clear the river would fall below the environmental flows required under best results. the State Environment Protection Policy. The policy sets a minimum flow for the river at Warrandyte.

Melbourne Water's work in streamflow management requires an The first stage of the plan was implemented on 8 March and the second on 26 March. In the first stage, understanding of seasonal variations in flows needed for environmental diverters were formally reminded of the need to manage their water use carefully and responsibly. requirements. Melbourne Water also has to be able to determine The second stage involved reducing the amount of water diverted from the river. Melbourne Water also adequate environmental flows to ensure a stream’s health and to contributed by managing its harvesting of water from the Yarra catchment to ensure environmental flow monitor the ecological benefits of environmental flows. requirements were met. As a result of improving streamflows, restrictions were eased on 4 May.

These actions met Melbourne Water’s requirement to manage flows in the Yarra "to the extent practicable". However due to the extremely dry weather, the Yarra fell below the minimum environmental flow level for 25 days.

On 21 May 1999, the Victorian Government agreed to delegate to Melbourne Water the power to manage diversions under the Water Act. Subsequently, a new Victoria-wide Instrument of Delegation, authorised by the Minister for Environment and Conservation became effective on 1 April 2000. It superseded the earlier delegation.

Melbourne Water can now approve the transfer of water entitlements to ensure that the best use is made of available limited resources and that environmental conditions are maintained and improved.

What we will do in 2000/2001

Restrictions on water diversions will almost certainly be required through 2000/2001. Melbourne Water will continue to keep diverters informed about their water entitlements and how weather conditions are affecting flows in the Yarra and the Maribyrnong.

Melbourne Water will continue to approve the transfer of water entitlements for river diverters to benefit river health.

4 5 Managing River Flows

Streamflow management plans Water entitlements and river flows

Melbourne Water develops Streamflow Management Plans to ensure water allocations Melbourne Water harvests water from rivers and streams for the purpose of from streams and creeks include enough water for beneficial uses, including providing drinking water. The State Government is working towards establishing environmental flows. “bulk entitlements” to this water and these have to include an allowance for environmental flows downstream from weirs and dams. What we did in 1999/2000

During the year, community working groups were established to help develop plans for Hoddles Creek and What we did in 1999/2000 Diamond Creek, tributaries of the Yarra River. The working groups include diverters who take water from During 1999/2000, bulk entitlements to water from the Maribyrnong River, including environmental flows, the creeks for businesses, representatives of government departments, local government, the Environment were determined. Protection Authority and Melbourne Water. Melbourne Water also assisted the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in deciding the flows The groups decide how water will be allocated to protect environmental flows and provide a framework of required to protect the environment in streams in the Yarra and Maribyrnong catchments. rules for development within the catchments. Melbourne Water is required to release water from Thomson Reservoir to satisfy minimum passing flow requirements in the Thomson River at the dam, at a place called the Narrows and at Coopers Creek.

What we will do in 2000/2001 Improvements were made to operating procedures to limit the chance of the flows dropping below the

Streamflow management plans for Hoddles Creek and Diamond Creek. Work will be completed. Work will required minimum at the Narrows and at Coopers Creek. This was necessary because on 12 and 14 January begin on a draft plan for the Plenty River. 2000 the flow at Coopers Creek fell just below the required minimum 200 megalitres a day. The minimum flow recorded was 192 megalitres a day. On 8 June 2000 the flow at the Narrows was 6 megalitres below the minimum required 80 megalitres a day.

The shortfall was the result of difficulties in estimating how much water should be released from the Thomson dam and limitations in the gauging equipment at Coopers Creek.

What we will do in 2000/2001

Melbourne Water will continue working with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment on bulk entitlements for streams and rivers. They are scheduled for completion during the year.

Operating procedures at the Thomson Dam will be closely monitored to ensure minimum river flow requirements are met.

6 7 Waterway Water Quality

Our responsibilities Wetlands and urban design

Melbourne Water is responsible for managing waterways in the greater Wetlands slow stormwater down and act as natural water filters. Sediments settle out Melbourne area and is working to achieve long-term objectives for water and time and sunlight help purify the water. quality. The Environment Protection Authority established these objectives in Victoria’s State environment protection policies (SEPPs). Through its Healthy Bay Initiative, Melbourne Water will contribute $4 million over three years to encourage water sensitive urban design and build wetlands in existing urban The SEPP for Port Phillip Bay sets a target for reducing the annual load areas and new land developments to help improve water quality. The Commonwealth of nitrogen discharged to the Bay of 1,000 tonnes by 2006 and establishes water quality objectives. Melbourne Water will work towards Government is part funding the wetlands project through the Natural Heritage Trust. reducing catchment loads of nitrogen and the water quality objectives A Cooperative Research Centre study is comparing the environmental impact of that will be met over time through a total catchment approach, wetlands and other alternatives to the traditional methods of disposing of stormwater. including better management of stormwater.

Water quality management is a complex issue as pollution comes from many different sources including farming, gardening, litter and What we did in 1999/2000 “urban run-off”. During the year, Melbourne Water progressed work on a number of wetlands in the south-east growth corridors of the metropolitan area. These include wetlands at Braeside, Dandenong North, Hampton Park, Eumemmerring Creek and Hallam.

Melbourne Water also worked closely with the Urban Land Corporation on a development to showcase water-sensitive designs. Melbourne Water worked with the Authority at Lynbrook estate to establish 300 allotments using water sensitive urban design. Waterway Quality Monitoring In association with the development industry, six drainage schemes covering a total of 36 square kilometers were completed. These schemes include works such as pipelines, channels, retarding basins and wetlands to treat stormwater. What we did in 1999/2000 Throughout the year, Melbourne Water regularly measured the physical and chemical properties of streams What we will do in 2000/2001 and compared the results to SEPP requirements. Detailed data on the monitoring results begin on page 46. A series of ten wetlands covering more than 75 hectares will be constructed over three years in the cities Melbourne Water reports to the EPA when a parameter exceeds a SEPP level by a specified amount. In of Casey, Kingston, Knox and Greater Dandenong. Wetland design and construction will continue in 1999/2000, there were 492 alert level exceedances. Melbourne Water also uses this information to target 2000/2001 and by 2003 all works on Healthy Bay Initiative wetlands will be completed. works to streams with particularly poor water quality. The wetlands will be an important part of the Government’s nutrient reduction plan to reduce by 1000 tonnes the load of nitrogen discharged each year into Port Phillip Bay.

What we will do in 2000/2001 Melbourne Water will contribute to this plan by developing a strategy to achieve a reduction in the amount Melbourne Water will continue to monitor and publicly report water quality against SEPP requirements. Alert of nitrogen discharged to the Bay from the catchment. Development of the strategy will be completed by level exceedances will be reported to the EPA. June 2001.

To foster support within the development industry Melbourne Water will sponsor a new award for Water Sensitive Design to be awarded by the Urban Development Institute of Australia.

Melbourne Water will host a national conference on the application of water sensitive urban design principles for new developments.

8 9 Waterway Water Quality

Stormwater management plans and guidelines Protecting waterways from sewage spills

Stormwater management plans for individual municipalities are being developed Melbourne Water has a “No Sewage Spills” policy and operates the sewerage system under the Urban Stormwater Partnership, an agreement between the EPA, the Municipal according to this policy. There has been a dramatic fall in the number of spills of sewage Association of Victoria and Melbourne Water. to the environment since the policy was adopted in July 1996. The new North Western Sewer performed well during heavy rain in December with no spills occurring. The plans detail the actions local councils will take to better protect and improve the quality of stormwater run-off from urban and rural catchment areas.

Melbourne Water believes the best way to reduce litter entering Melbourne’s waterways What we did in 1999/2000 is to manage litter at, or near to, the source. Council Stormwater Management Plans are In 1999/2000, there were six sewage spills to the environment. One was caused by an operational failure the focus for this. Once a plan is in place a council can access the Government’s new during some construction work at the Bondi Road Pumping Station in Chelsea. Excess back flows in a sewer funding program for gross pollutant traps close to the litter source and other stormwater caused the spill when the sewer was being opened to establish a bypass connection point. The spill was contained to the construction pit and educted out of the pit. Action was taken to prevent this spill from quality improvements. Melbourne Water has 60 “litter traps” set up on major stormwater happening again. The EPA was notified of the spill and the impact on the environment was minimal. outlets to stop litter getting into creeks and the bays. Heavy rain increases flows in the sewers, increasing the risk of sewage spills. These spills occur from emergency relief structures specifically built to direct spills to the most suitable place. Three of the other five What we did in 1999/2000 spills occurred during the Christmas 1999 extreme wet weather storm and were beyond the Environment Protection Authority’s containment standard. Two minor spills occurred during wet weather and were due Melbourne Water published best practice guidelines for the management of urban stormwater. to hydraulic deficiency of the sewer. The guidelines were developed as part of the State Government’s Stormwater Initiative. The EPA, Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Municipal Association of Victoria were Melbourne Water worked with the retail water companies to identify solutions to specific wet weather all involved in developing the guidelines. They will help developers and planners to improve sewer spill problems. stormwater quality. Yarra Valley Water and Melbourne Water produced a strategy for preventing spills in the Merri and Darebin In 1999/2000, plans were completed for Darebin, Wyndham, Yarra, Casey, Maroondah, Moreland, catchments. With South East Water, a strategy was developed to prevent spills in the Mordialloc Main Sewer. Melbourne and Hume. Work began on plans for Moonee Valley, Frankston and Bayside. Melbourne Water contributes $20 000 or approximately half the funding for these plans and assists in their preparation. What we will do in 2000/2001 During the year, Melbourne Water spent about $1 million removing litter from rivers and creeks. Melbourne Water will continue to work with the retail water companies on improving the sewerage system to avoid spills to the environment. This includes completing improvements to the Mordialloc Main Sewer What we will do in 2000/2001 and identifying what works are needed to manage spills in the Merri/Darebin catchments, the Pascoe Vale/Moonee Ponds catchments and for the whole Eastern Sewerage System. Melbourne Water will assist another four local government councils to complete Stormwater Management Plans during the year. The aim is that all councils will have plans in place by June 2003. Melbourne Water will contribute half the funding for these plans and assist in their preparation.

With other members of the Victorian Stormwater Advisory Committee, Melbourne Water will advise on funding allocations in the newly announced State Government Healthy Drains, Healthy Waterways program. The program will provide funds to councils to help them implement their Stormwater Management Plans. Litter reduction projects will continue particularly through the implementation of stormwater management plans.

Melbourne Water will continue to promote the use by property developers of the Urban Stormwater – Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines.

10 11 Waterway Ecology

• Kororoit Creek Our responsibilities • Maribyrnong River Over the years, urban, industrial and agricultural development has had major environmental impacts on • Lang Lang River. Melbourne’s waterways and the plants and animals that depend upon them. Traditionally, waterway Melbourne Water works with local councils and other stakeholders to develop waterway management plans. management focused on flood protection. Today, however, waterway management recognises the The plans are used to develop forward works programs and to coordinate the care and use of each importance of protecting and improving Melbourne’s waterways. waterway by other stakeholders.

Melbourne Water’s responsibility for stream management includes ensuring the best possible conditions for During the year Melbourne Water completed plans for the Plenty River, Olinda Creek, Badgers Creek and the plants and animals that live in and around each stream. Property will also be protected from damage or loss Upper Bunyip River. Geomorphological studies were completed for the Maribyrnong and Little Yarra Rivers. due to erosion. Melbourne Water conducts biological and toxicant monitoring programs in Melbourne’s streams. The results Since 1998, Melbourne Water has used the Victorian Index of Stream Condition to measure the health of are used to help develop and prioritise water quality investigations and stream improvement works. individual waterways. The index allows us to: An important study undertaken as part of this program is an analysis of the toxicity of sediments to stream • Benchmark the condition of streams and waterways life using a procedure applied by the CSIRO. Samples taken from five wetlands and Kororoit, Gardiners and • Assess the long-term effectiveness of our management and rehabilitation of streams and waterways Merri Creeks were tested during the year. • Decide priorities in waterway management. Also during the year, a revised Waterways Report was published covering water quality information from The index grades waterways on the basis of bed and bank condition, the streamflow and the ecological monitoring at more than 70 sites around Melbourne. characteristics compared with natural conditions.

The quality of water in streams and the stability and quality of the beds and banks are managed through a range of programs. Melbourne Water works in partnership with adjoining landholders and people who live What we will do in 2000/2001 in the catchment. Melbourne Water will continue to work with landholders to protect stream frontages. The target for 2000/2001 is to provide at least 50,000 plants and 25 kilometres of fencing.

Melbourne Water plans to re-assess the condition of all waterways every five years. By 30 June 2001, all streams will have been assessed for the first time.

The following streams will be assessed in 2000/2001: What we did in 1999/2000 • Watsons Creek (Yarra) • Koonung Creek Melbourne Water provided $420,000 to landowners to improve stream frontages on their properties. • Ruffeys Creek The money was used for initiatives such as fencing to keep farm animals away from waterways, weed • Hoddles Creek control, revegetation and minor-bank stabilisation. • Moonee Ponds Creek During the year Melbourne Water provided landowners with almost 50,000 plants. Other planting • Eumemmerring Creek. programs took the total number of trees, shrubs, aquatic plants, grasses and groundcovers planted to Four new waterway management plans will be completed each year with the aim of achieving full approximately 350,000. coverage by the end of 2002. All plans will then be updated every five years. Next year plans will be Melbourne Water presented Healthy Waterways signs to landowners to recognise their work in protecting completed for the Mullum Mullum, Taylors, Blind and Boggy Creeks, and geomorphological studies will streams and creeks running through or alongside their properties. be completed for the Middle Dandenong River and Northern Western Port streams.

In 1998 Melbourne Water began progressively assessing all Melbourne’s streams and waterways using the Melbourne Water will continue to provide regular reports on the results of its waterway monitoring program Index of Stream Condition. Most streams have now been assessed at least once. During the year assessments and biological and toxicant monitoring programs will continue. If initial results on the sediment water were completed on the: samples collected in 1999/2000 show signs of toxicity, further work will be carried out to identify the • Yarra River main stem toxicants and their origins. • Skeleton Creek • Laverton Creek

12 13 Marine – Port Phillip Bay

The project includes the construction of a recycled water system so lagoon effluent can be used on and off site. Our responsibilities During the year, contractors continued work on the recycled water system and started construction of the first Development around Port Phillip Bay inevitably impacts on its ecology. lagoon enhancement on the 55E lagoon.

Western Treatment Plant at Werribee treats approximately 53 per cent of the sewage generated in The recycled water system should have been completed by 30 June, but construction difficulties have delayed it. metropolitan Melbourne. Treated effluent from Western Treatment Plant is discharged into the Bay at four The work required to enable Melbourne Water to apply for an accredited Environment Protection Authority points between the Werribee River and Point Wilson. Streams and stormwater drains collect agricultural and (EPA) licence for Western Treatment Plant was completed. An accredited licence will specify environmental urban stormwater run-off that also ends up in the Bay. These discharges contribute sediment, nutrient and outcomes but leave Melbourne Water free to decide how to achieve them. other pollutant loads to the waters of Port Phillip Bay. The development of an Environment Improvement Program for the plant was the main work that had to be At the same time, water harvesting and agricultural and urban developments have changed natural flows carried out in advance of an accredited licence application. This was completed in consultation with members into the Bay. of a community liaison committee who have endorsed the plan.

In 1996 the CSIRO completed a major environmental study of the Bay. Funded largely by Melbourne Water, Other actions taken to reduce nitrogen discharged into the Bay in stormwater are covered in the report card on it was the most comprehensive and integrated environmental audit undertaken on a coastal ecosystem Waterway Water Quality that begins on page 8. in Australia. Western Treatment Plant achieved 100 per cent compliance with EPA discharge licence parameters during the Melbourne Water is responsible for implementing or contributing to many of the study’s year. Detailed data can be found on page 38. recommendations, including: The EPA amended Western Treatment Plant’s operating licence during the year. As a result: • A long-term target for reducing the annual average load of nitrogen to the Bay by 1,000 tonnes per annum • Total phosphorus limits are now based on flow weighted averages over all four discharge outlets for treated • A reduction in the impact of nitrogen and sediment from stormwater and urban run-off effluent instead of individual limits for each outlet • Improvement in the nitrogen removal processes at Western Treatment Plant, especially during winter • pH – a measure of acidity or alkalinity – has been removed as a licence parameter because the range of • Reduction in toxicant inputs to waterways and drains leading to the Bay pH levels in the plant’s effluent discharge does not cause any adverse impact on the receiving waters • Development of catchment models that can be integrated with models of the Bay and of the • There have been changes to the emissions allowed from the plant’s new methane powered electricity entire water cycle. generators The SEPP for Port Phillip Bay sets a target for reducing the annual load of nitrogen discharged to the Bay of • There is a new limit for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) – primarily a measure of salinity – of 1,250 milligrams 1,000 tonnes by 2006. Melbourne Water will reduce nitrogen in treated effluent discharged into the Bay per litre for sewage received at the plant. from Western Treatment Plant. The changes in phosphorus limits will provide a more realistic measurement of the plant’s discharge performance over all four outlets. The power station amendments were made in accordance with industry standards. The TDS limit will help ensure salt levels in sewage do not further limit the reuse of treated effluent.

What we will do in 2000/2001 What we did in 1999/2000 Work will continue on the Western Treatment Plant improvement project. The target is to meet the requirement for a 500 tonnes annual reduction in the amount of nitrogen the plant discharges to the Bay by 2005, with an Western Treatment Plant’s operating licence requires it to improve the quality of the treated effluent it earlier licence requirement to not exceed 3500 tonnes after 2001 based on a three year rolling average. discharges to Port Phillip Bay by 2005. As part of the Healthy Bay Initiative, the treatment systems at the By the end of June 2001, Melbourne Water will develop a strategy to achieve further reductions in nitrogen plant are being upgraded to meet these requirements. discharges from the stormwater system. Lagoons will be the only treatment process used and the current land and grass filtration systems that apply During the year Melbourne Water will aim to formally apply for and achieve an accredited licence from the raw or partially treated sewage to the land will be phased out. The lagoons will be enhanced to increase the EPA for Western Treatment Plant. removal of nitrogen to help meet the target of a reduction in the annual load of nitrogen discharged to the Bay from Western Treatment Plant of 500 tonnes. Melbourne Water will continue to strive for 100 per cent compliance with the EPA discharge licence at the plant.

14 15 Marine – Boags Rocks

The CSIRO recommendations will be scrutinised by an independent scientific peer review panel Our responsibilities and the EPA.

Eastern Treatment Plant at Carrum treats approximately 42 per cent of 1,660 megalitres of treated effluent from the plant was recycled. It was used for a range of purposes, the sewage generated in metropolitan Melbourne. Most of the treated including irrigating golf courses and sports ovals and for watering vineyards, farms, nurseries and market effluent is discharged to Bass Strait at Boags Rocks near Cape Schanck gardens. The number of customers using treated effluent increased by three to a total of 35. on the Mornington Peninsula. The total effluent recycled, however, was only 1.3 per cent of the total produced at the plant. Work began The plant operates under a licence from the Environment Protection on a feasibility study for an effluent reuse project in the Cranbourne-Clyde area. The water would mostly Authority (EPA). Under the terms of the licence, Melbourne Water was be used in market gardens. The feasibility study was designed to establish the basis for a major project to required to evaluate options for improving environmental performance increase effluent reuse. which included upgrading treatment, recycling more treated effluent Eastern Treatment Plant achieved 100 per cent compliance with the EPA discharge licence parameters during and extending the current outfall pipe further into the ocean. the year. See page 34 for details of the plant’s performance during the year. Melbourne Water commissioned a major study by CSIRO that found Work required before Melbourne Water can apply for an accredited EPA operating licence for Eastern two constituents of effluent discharged at Boags Rocks – ammonia and Treatment Plant was also completed. This involved developing site specific environmental management and fresh water – have a significant environmental effect. improvement plans. Both plans have been accepted by the EPA and will be reviewed by Melbourne Water An Environment Improvement Program was developed by Melbourne every two years. Water in conjunction with the community and key stakeholders, including the EPA, to improve the plant’s performance. What we will do in 2000/2001 Public health issues associated with the discharges at Boags Rocks are covered in their own report card in Melbourne Water’s Public Health Melbourne Water will develop cost-effective plans to implement the improvement program at Eastern Performance Report. Treatment Plant as agreed with the EPA.

The trial to reduce ammonia levels in treated effluent will begin in April 2001. If the trial is successful, the technology will be progressively incorporated into all aeration tanks at the plant.

Melbourne Water will implement receiving water and microbiological monitoring programs and report the outcomes to the community.

New sewage screen equipment will be fully installed in the pre-treatment area at the plant during the year. What we did in 1999/2000 It will enhance the removal of grit and objects such as plastic bags, cotton buds and rags.

In November 1999, Melbourne Water reached agreement with the EPA on the framework of an Melbourne Water in conjunction with Government and business will complete the feasibility study into the improvement program for the plant. The framework is based on: Cranbourne-Clyde effluent reuse project. We will continue to identify new opportunities to expand the cost • Discharged effluent complying with State environment protection policy (Waters of Victoria) requirements effective amount of treated effluent recycled each year. • Achieving an effluent discharge standard for ammonia of less than five milligrams per litre The EPA is to publish revised guidelines for the use of treated effluent. Melbourne Water will adapt • Trialing and reporting on new ammonia reduction technology management procedures for the supply of recycled effluent in line with the revised guidelines. • Further evaluation of the health risks and impacts on swimmers and surfers at Gunnamatta beach Melbourne Water will strive to achieve 100 per cent compliance with the EPA discharge licence at • Developing strategies to achieve a significant reduction in the discharge at Boags Rocks. Eastern Treatment Plant. During the year Melbourne Water completed design works for the ammonia reduction trial. The trial will An accredited licence for the plant will be sought from the Environment Protection Authority. investigate the conversion of existing aeration tanks to a nitrification/de-nitrification process. The total value of this work was $5 million.

CSIRO was engaged in early 2000 to design a long-term monitoring program so any potential impacts of discharges at Boags Rocks and environmental benefits from plant improvements can be continually assessed.

16 17 Marine – Western Port

Our responsibilities What we did in 1999/2000

Settlement and development have had major impacts on the Western Melbourne Water is represented on a Catchment Implementation Committee for Western Port. Port catchment and its waters. The committee is an advisory body to the Port Phillip Catchment and Land Protection Board.

The Koo Wee Rup area used to be a series of interconnected wetlands Melbourne Water works with other members of the committee to increase its focus on total and paper-bark trees. The wetlands were drained and the land was catchment management. cleared from the late 1800s and the area is now largely agricultural. In Melbourne Water continued monitoring water quality in Western Port’s catchment. The results will be used more recent years, increased industrial, commercial and domestic to improve the understanding of how streams have changed over the years. activity has also affected Western Port. Works continued on rehabilitating problem sites and reaches. In the Lang Lang River, two projects were Since the 1970s the amount of seagrass cover in Western Port has completed – one at Yannathan and the other below the Little Lang Lang River junction. declined dramatically. There are signs of a slow recovery, but it will not be a stable ecosystem until the complex interactions between land and Designs were prepared for an erosion-control structure in the Bunyip River at Upper Buneep. Banks in water are understood and managed in a sustainable way. Muddy Creek, below Aura Vale Lake in Selby, were subject to serious erosion and were stabilised. Design work was completed for stabilisation work on Walford Creek, a tributary of Toomuc Creek. Streams flowing into Western Port carry runoff from the catchment and drainage water from agricultural areas. Many farms use groundwater to A study showing how waterway processes along the upper Bunyip River have changed over time, irrigate crops. The interaction between water in streams, the ground and was completed. Western Port and the materials carried by the water needs to be better Melbourne Water began working with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on a three-year study understood to support improved management. into sediments discharged to Western Port. CSIRO is undertaking the study and Melbourne Water will

With other organisations, Melbourne Water has a role to play in contribute approximately $200,000. The study will reveal which catchments generate the greatest sediment balancing the demands placed on Western Port so that a sustainable load and assess the effectiveness of Melbourne Water’s waterway rehabilitation works. future can be achieved. Sample cores were taken from Western Port mudflats. Sophisticated analytical technology will be used to determine where the sediments came from, and when they reached Western Port. This will help in prioritising catchment works to reduce erosion.

What we will do in 2000/2001

Regular water quality monitoring of catchment streams will continue. Equipment will be installed in three major streams to continuously monitor turbidity levels. The data collected will supplement information on sediment sources to Western Port.

Erosion rehabilitation works will be carried out on Walford Creek, the Bunyip River at Upper Buneep and Cannibal Creek upstream of its junction with the Bunyip River. Rehabilitation designs will be prepared for Musk Creek and Pheasant Creek.

Work will begin on a major rehabilitation of the Bunyip Main Drain. The project is designed to restore structural integrity and provide consistent flood-protection.

The rehabilitation will involve rebuilding levees, erosion control and revegetation. The work will target the reach of the channel that cuts through the Koo Wee Rup swamp between Cora Lynn and the Princes Highway. It will take several years to complete.

Melbourne Water will continue working with the EPA and CSIRO on tracing sediment sources to Western Port. Other agencies will be encouraged to support a broader environmental study into the health of Western Port.

18 19 Water Resource Management

Our responsibilities What we did in 1999/2000

As Melbourne continues to grow, the community has become more During the year, Melbourne Water was asked by the State Government to develop a strategy to determine concerned about limits to water resources. Melbourne Water is Melbourne’s long-term water resources needs. The last major strategy was completed in 1991. The aim is to committed to the long-term sustainable use of those resources. produce an integrated strategy that balances environmental, economic and social imperatives. It will provide a 20-year outlook for the management of water resources. It will be based on a total urban water cycle Melbourne Water plays an important role in managing water for the approach and include initiatives for both conserving and recycling water. good of the community. It is our job to ensure we make the most of our resources, harvesting, storing and delivering water and In developing the strategy, we will examine issues such as: providing sewerage and waterways services in the most cost effective • Water conservation way possible. • New technologies to capture potable and non-potable water resources • Community involvement and education This has to be balanced with the need to protect the environment. • Environmental impacts and benefits People want safe, secure services, but not at the cost of unacceptable • Alternative resource options such as stormwater recycling, greywater use and rainwater tanks. environmental impacts. Melbourne Water has plans to maximise the use of recycled water for both environmental and economic Melbourne’s current drought began in late 1996. It is the longest and reasons. The plans include a commitment to increasing the amount of treated effluent which is recycled to worst drought in the 87 years for which we have reliable records. 20 per cent of the total volume produced by 2010. The drought has helped increase community awareness that water is a scarce resource. Sustainable resource management will help Every year, Melbourne Water’s sewage treatment plants discharge about 270,000 megalitres of treated effluent control increased costs for water by reducing the need for expensive to Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait. Increasing the volume reused to 20 per cent will reduce discharges by new dams and reservoirs. about 150 megalitres a day. It will reduce the impact on the marine environment and help defer the potential need for major new water storages.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is revising its Wastewater Reuse Guidelines. Although the new version was not finalised in 1999/2000, the latest draft was used in managing recycled effluent. Melbourne Water provided advice to the EPA on the revision of the guidelines.

At Western Treatment Plant, construction continued on a recycled water system. This will allow reuse of treated effluent that currently has to be discharged to the Bay.

What we will do in 2000/2001

The new water resources strategy will commence during the next year. The development of the strategy will include commissioning studies, undertaking community consultation, developing and releasing consultation papers and holding community forums. An independent committee will be appointed to help establish the strategy.

Melbourne Water will continue to encourage the use of recycled effluent from Eastern Treatment Plant and complete work on the recycled water system at Western Treatment Plant. The feasibility study for the new Eastern Treatment Plant recycling project will be completed.

Changes in management systems required by the EPA’s new Reuse of Wastewater Guidelines will be implemented when the guidelines are published.

20 21 Energy and Greenhouse

Our responsibilities What we did in 1999/2000

Melbourne Water is committed to reducing the amount and cost of Western Treatment Plant continued the production of electricity from a generator using methane collected energy we use and the greenhouse gases we emit to the environment. under covers built over a treatment lagoon. During the year Melbourne Water let a $5 million contract to AGL to design and construct additional generators at the plant.. Melbourne Water uses a significant amount of energy. It operates electric pumps, treats water and sewage, runs offices and transports people. AGL will operate the generators and sell power back to Melbourne Water over a 10-year period, accounting Energy accounts for approximately eight per cent of Melbourne Water’s for more than 80 per cent of the electricity generated at the plant. In the short run, the project will make the budget expenditure. Western Treatment Plant self sufficient in electricity. However, this will change as implementation of the Environment Improvement Program increases electricity consumption. Reliable energy supplies are critical to Melbourne Water. Melbourne Water produces energy through hydro schemes and from the gases An Energy Management Team was established to coordinate the use of energy in Melbourne Water and a produced during sewage treatment. There is some potential to produce draft energy management program is being prepared. more energy and to achieve more savings in energy use. Melbourne Water engaged consultants to establish how much greenhouse gas our operations produce. Australia has agreed to limit the increase of greenhouse gas emissions to The consultants’ report indicated that emissions are approximately 500,000 equivalent tonnes of carbon no more than 1.08 times 1990 levels. Contributions towards achieving dioxide a year. The principal sources of greenhouse gases were methane from sewage treatment and indirect this target may be used in developing greenhouse gas trading markets. emissions from the use of electricity to drive pumps.

Melbourne Water is a significant producer of greenhouse gases and we The work provides a baseline for future emission reductions. aim to help Australia reduce emissions. At Eastern Treatment Plant, a process review was carried out to maximise efficiency in the utilisation of sludge gas. Work began on the resulting improvement plan.

What we will do in 2000/2001

In the year ahead, we will finalise and implement the Energy Management Program. This will include re- negotiating Melbourne Water’s electricity supply contract, establishing an energy management system and ongoing efficiency in energy use.

A greenhouse gas reduction strategy will be developed. It will maximise Melbourne Water’s capacity to reduce emissions and to generate electricity from the collection of methane and micro-hydro stations.

The existing high-pressure gas storage system will be commissioned at Eastern Treatment Plant to collect methane from the sludge treatment process for use in the plant. The system will help in managing fluctuations of gas production and its use, and in optimising heat and power production.

22 23 Local Amenity

Our responsibilities What we did in 1999/2000

There are many ways in which the water industry can have an impact During the year, a policy that aims to ensure a consistent approach to the disposal of surplus properties that on local amenity. Construction projects can cause noise and traffic may be contaminated, was finalised. The policy requires appropriate assessment of the land and remediation problems and affect local landscapes. Sewage treatment plants and to an acceptable standard to allow sale. Full disclosure to prospective purchasers is also required. transfer systems can produce odours and have a visual impact. The disused Dandenong Treatment Plant is subject to a Pollution Abatement Notice issued by the Melbourne Water is committed to minimising its impacts on local Environment Protection Authority. During the year the requirements of the notice were met. An amenity. Sewage odours are unacceptable. Extensive community Environmental Risk Assessment for the site was carried out. consultation is carried out on construction projects and these are An odour reduction facility was completed at Eastern Treatment Plant for the covered activated sludge planned to minimise local disruptions. Project managers are trained to channel. Foul air is extracted from the channel and passed to a biological filter. It removes odorous assess consultation requirements in the initial planning for major compounds before the air is discharged to the atmosphere. infrastructure, maintenance and research projects. Melbourne Water and Western Australia’s Water Corporation jointly funded a research project to identify more accurate and reliable methods of sampling and modelling for odour.

The development of an Odour Management Strategic Action Plan also began during the year. The plan will be based on a review of: • Current odour management practices • Existing and proposed regulatory requirements • Best practice odour treatment and management systems.

A community survey on odours from Western Treatment Plant was completed together with trials on the use of an “Electronic Nose” to imitate human odour response. The outcomes will be used to help develop the Odour Management Strategy.

There were 44 odour complaints during the year, five more than in 1998/1999. Of the total, 11 involved Eastern Treatment Plant, nine involved Western Treatment Plant and 24 involved the sewage transfer system. The increased number of odours was due to the continued still and dry conditions during the year.

What we will do in 2000/2001

In the year ahead, Melbourne Water will complete development of the Odour Management Strategic Action Plan and implement the actions it requires.

The new land contamination policy will be applied to all dealings in surplus property.

A Site Remediation Strategy will be developed for the Dandenong Treatment Plant.

24 25 Biosolids

Our responsibilities What we did in 1999/2000

Melbourne Water’s sewage treatment plants produce more than 40,000 During the year Melbourne Water completed work on the development of a Biosolids Management tonnes of dry biosolids equivalent each year. At Eastern Treatment Plant, Strategy. The strategy is focused on improving management systems and establishes long-term reuse targets. approximately 25 per cent of the biosolids is sold as soil conditioner. These call for the reuse of 50 per cent of the biosolids produced at Western Treatment Plant and The rest is stored on site. At Western Treatment Plant, all biosolids are 100 per cent at Eastern Treatment Plant by 2020. retained on site. During the year Eastern Treatment Plant, through its contract with KT Soils, used more than 11,000 cubic There is limited storage capacity at Eastern Treatment Plant and biosolids metres of biosolids. It was mixed with other materials to produce soil conditioner. production at Western Treatment Plant will increase significantly due to Melbourne Water developed plans for the use of biosolids from the plant to build a wetland from an the planned process improvements there. At the same time, there is an excavated area in the Woodlands Industrial Development. Melbourne Water appointed an independent evolving regulatory environment for the use of biosolids. consultant to help with the design of the wetland. A works approval was submitted to the EPA and a Current regulations require Melbourne Water to maximise reuse of the planning permit application made to the City of Kingston. Extensive community consultation was included biosolids we produce. This can be a challenge when members of the in planning for the proposal. community do not always support reuse proposals. There are also In another Eastern Treatment Plant project, a company monitored the level of metals in the solids handling potential product liability and land contamination issues associated with processes under a research agreement with Melbourne Water. The purpose of this work is to assess the the use of biosolids. potential for extracting heavy metals from the biosolids. Melbourne Water aims to meet its regulatory and commercial obligations The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requires Melbourne Water to monitor the quality of in managing biosolids and will be continuing to improve its biosolids groundwater below Eastern Treatment Plant for any impacts from the biosolids storage area. Western management practices. Treatment Plant also has an obligation to monitor impacts on groundwater from its operations.

Data collected since 1996 have shown very little or no adverse impact on groundwater. This is due to low pollutant concentrations and slow movement of groundwater beneath the site.

As a result the EPA has agreed that the monitoring can be conducted every six months instead of quarterly.

What we will do in 2000/2001

In 2000/2001, Melbourne Water will implement the recommendations of the Biosolids Management Strategy and continue to seek opportunities for the reuse of biosolids and work towards our long-term targets.

Outcomes from the independent consultants’ report on the Woodlands wetland project and other actions needed to complete the project, will be implemented.

Melbourne Water will continue to monitor the quality of groundwater below Eastern Treatment Plant for any impacts from the biosolids storage area. Groundwater monitoring at Western Treatment Plant will be continued.

26 27 Western Treatment Plant – Environmental Management of the Wetlands

Our responsibilities What we did in 1999/2000

Western Treatment Plant is not just a sewage treatment plant. Its A Conservation Management Action Plan was completed in 1999/2000. It will guide Melbourne Water and unique location and treatment processes have left a legacy of Parks Victoria in the protection of important environmental values at Western Treatment Plant, the Spit environmental benefits. Nature Conservation Reserve and adjacent habitats. The plan was developed from a consultant’s report finalised in October 1999. The lagoons are artificial wetlands used by many different bird species. The discharge of treated effluent to Port Phillip Bay has enriched Melbourne Water worked during the year with DNRE and Parks Victoria to ensure Ramsar management at foreshore areas around the discharge points with nutrients. Dry land Western Treatment Plant is appropriate to the “wise use” test in the international convention. areas not used for sewage treatment have also retained some Research was carried out to determine the potential effects if flows into Lake Borrie were changed as a result environmental values for plants and animals. of implementing the improvement program at Western Treatment Plant. This would change the inflows to The salt-marshes in and adjacent to Western Treatment Plant have been Lake Borrie from sedimented sewage to treated effluent. used as over-wintering habitat by orange bellied parrots. Some of these Research was also carried out to define the areas at the plant used by migrating shorebirds. This work locations are used by internationally important migratory birds and are underpins a proposal to nominate part of the plant as a site on the East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site protected by special reservation status. Other plants and animals exist at Network that will form a component of Ramsar protected areas. the plant due to the unique combination of land and water environments and the sewage treatment activity.

At Melbourne Water, our responsibilities for environmental management What we will do in 2000/2001 of the wetland habitats and the conservation of special species are taken Melbourne Water will implement the Conservation Management Action Plan over the next three years and seriously. then assess and revise the plan accordingly. Any actions required by the East Asian-Australasian Shorebird

Improving the environmental condition of Port Phillip Bay requires Site Network proposal will be incorporated in the plan. reducing nutrient discharges from Western Treatment Plant. This will Melbourne Water will continue to monitor the impact Western Treatment Plant has on the surrounding decrease the amount of nutrients available to Lake Borrie and Bay environment and respond to significant issues with Parks Victoria. foreshores and could reduce habitat value of these areas visited by internationally valued migratory birds. Melbourne Water works with the EPA, the Wildlife Consultative Committee and other groups to manage these issues.

The whole of Western Treatment Plant has been included on Australia’s list of internationally significant wetlands (under the Ramsar convention) for some years. With the passing of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Western Treatment Plant will attract more interest from the Commonwealth Government.

Responsibility for management of Crown Land surrounding the plant, nearby foreshores and the Spit Nature Reserve has been split between Melbourne Water, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) and Parks Victoria. This has resulted in the need for coordination to protect and manage the values of these areas.

28 29 Trade Waste

Our responsibilities What we did in 1999/2000

Traditionally, businesses in and around Melbourne discharged trade During the year, Melbourne Water worked closely with the retail water companies to manage the wastes into the drains and local creeks and rivers. Many years after that trade waste system. The retail companies reported regularly on waste issues and their discussions with practice became illegal, some waterways are still recovering. individual businesses.

Today, businesses discharge wastes into the sewers under Trade Waste Melbourne Water produces Capacity Statements for the sewage treatment plants. The statements provide the Agreements with the retail water companies. Melbourne Water receives retailers with detailed information on what wastes the treatment plants can handle. These were revised these wastes, together with domestic waste, and treats them at Eastern during the year to reflect regulatory requirements. and Western Treatment Plants. Melbourne Water believes it is generally better for businesses that produce dangerous trade wastes to treat It is important to make sure that trade waste does not contain levels of them rather than discharge them into the sewerage system. pollutants that could compromise Melbourne Water’s capacity to treat Melbourne Water and the retail companies set up a joint project team to consider the introduction of sewage and dispose of treated effluent. The quality of trade waste is pollution load pricing. controlled through the Trade Waste Agreements between businesses and retail water companies. Each agreement details what the individual Pollution load pricing aims to improve trade waste management and drive efficient investment decision- business can and cannot discharge into the sewerage system. Limits for making. A large proportion of Melbourne Water’s future capital expenditure is driven by the need to comply this are listed in a schedule to each water retailer’s operating licence. with increasing environmental standards. The timing of capital expenditure to meet these standards can be influenced by pollution loads discharged to the system and there is an opportunity for the retailers and their An independent Trade Waste Acceptance Advisory Committee advises customers to influence investments by varying pollution loads. Melbourne Water and the retail water companies on trade waste standards. Good communication with the retailers is crucial to successful management of trade waste. What we will do in 2000/2001

In the year ahead, Melbourne Water will continue to monitor the quality and quantity of trade waste entering sewers.

Cost drivers and options for charging, measurement and billing have been established for pollutant load pricing. Melbourne Water intends to ensure that the cost of treating trade waste is transparent and made available to the regulatory bodies involved with the setting of prices for Melbourne Water’s services.

The implementation of pollution load pricing by Melbourne Water is subject to acceptance by Government.

30 31 Waterways and Drainage Operating Charter

Our responsibilities What we did in 1999/2000

Many of Melbourne Water’s operations have to meet standards set by The Waterways and Drainage Operating Charter was completed in June 1999. It was prepared in external regulators. For example, sewage treatment plants have to consultation with an external reference committee and takes into account: comply with licence conditions set by the Environment Protection • Community expectations Authority. Drinking water quality has to meet conditions set by the • Legislative responsibilities Department of Human Services. • Financial resources available for waterways and drainage management.

However, many of the targets we set for ourselves in meeting our Melbourne Water conducted an audit of its performance in meeting commitments in the Operating Charter. waterways and drainage responsibilities are not specified in legislation The table on page 53 summarises the audit results. Some issues covered in the table are reported in other or regulation. Melbourne Water has three core functions in waterways report cards. and drainage. They are: • Regional Drainage And Flood Protection – Providing regional scale facilities to accommodate stormwater flows, undertaking works to What we will do in 2000/2001 reduce the risks of flooding in priority areas, and preventing In the year ahead, Melbourne Water will continue to work towards meeting the commitments of the inappropriate development in floodplains Operating Charter as agreed with key stakeholders involved in the Charter’s preparation. • Waterway Management – Protecting, restoring and maintaining the physical condition and environmental health of creeks, rivers and wetlands, and regulating the volumes of water extracted for irrigation • Water Quality Protection – Implementing controls, providing treatment facilities and working with other agencies, local councils, industries and community groups to improve stormwater quality and protect waterways, bays and beaches.

What is done in these areas can have major environmental impacts. Melbourne Water has therefore developed an Operating Charter that defines objectives, goals, strategies and service commitments for the three core functions in waterways and drainage.

The Charter sets out service commitments covering the specific activities to be undertaken and outputs to be generated each year across Melbourne Water’s waterways and drainage responsibilities. It also commits us to monitor our achievements against the service commitments and publicly report the results annually.

32 33 Eastern Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000 Eastern Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000

The Eastern Treatment Plant (ETP) located at Carrum treated some 42 per cent of Melbourne’s sewage The following results represent samples taken from the Truemans Road sample point from 1 July 1999 during the period 1999/2000. The Plant has a licence from the EPA to discharge treated effluent to Bass Strait to 30 June 2000. at Boags Rocks. The following tables show the results of ETP’s sampling program designed to measure performance against the licence. As displayed in the tables the limit is the required performance as stated Median 90th Percentile Maximum in the discharge licence and the result is how ETP performed. It is Melbourne Water’s aim to achieve Parameter, Units Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result 100 per cent compliance with its licence. Total Residual Chlorine (mg/L) 0.20 0.31 1.0 0.79 E.coli (org/100mL) 200 25 1000 325 25000 pH (pH units) 7.2 7.3 6.8–7.4 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.8 8.3 * 3.1–9.9

Note: Discharges to Water * to be negotiated with the EPA

The following results represent samples taken from the final effluent sample point and flow measurements at During December 1999, samples of raw sewage and final effluent were taken and analysed for the Outfall Pumping Station at ETP from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). The final effluent results for each of the congeners, except OCDD, were less than the level of detection (LOD), with the Median 90th Percentile Maximum international toxic equivalent (I-TEQ), including half LOD values being calculated as 3.24 pg/L Parameter, Units Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result (or 3.24x10-12 grams per litre). BOD5 (mg/L) 20 17 40 32.7 96 In accordance with the half-yearly monitoring program for PCDDs and PCDFs, samples of raw sewage and CBOD5 (mg/L) 7 14 43 final effluent were also taken in June 2000. The results of the analysis are expected to be available in Suspended Solids (mg/L) 30 12.5 60 29 94 September 2000 and will be reported in next year’s environmental report. pH (pH units) 7.3 7.6 6–9 6.7–7.7 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 30 21 26.4 40 28 Discharges to Land Total Combined Nitrogen (mg/L) 32 36.8 39 The following results detail the quality of effluent discharged to land in 1999/2000 as sampled at ETP. Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 7.3 15 8.7 8.9 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 0.4 0.2 0.7 0.44 3.2 Median 90th Percentile Cadmium (mg/L) 0.0001 0.005 0.0005 0.01 0.0014 Parameter # Unit Limit Result Limit Result Chromium (mg/L) 0.006 0.075 0.0094 0.15 0.016 E.coli org/100mL <1000* 26 404 Copper (mg/L) 0.012 0.05 0.026 0.1 0.035 BOD5 mg/L <20* 17 32.7 Lead (mg/L) 0.004 0.05 0.014 0.1 0.024 CBOD5 mg/L 7 14 Mercury (mg/L) 0.00025 0.0005 0.00025 0.001 0.00025 Electrical Conductivity mS/cm 930 998 Phenol (mg/L) 0.5 2.35 100 2.5 Notes: Toluene (mg/L) 0.5 2.3 50 2.5 * wastewater reuse guideline values (Class C). Reuse guidelines also specify an 80th Percentile E. coli of Benzene (mg/L) 0.5 2.3 25 2.5 < 4000 orgs/100 mL. # The E.coli result is based on samples taken at the re-use sampling point and the others are based on samples Total PAHs (mg/L) 15 4* from the effluent sampling point. Flow (ML/day) 540 356 452 770 588

Note: * Total PAHs are calculated using the sum of the following PAHs: (acenapthylene, anthracene, 1,2-benzanthracene, 3,4-benzofluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, 1,12-benzoperylene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, dibenzo(a.h)anthracene, fluorene and indeno (1.2.3-cd) pyrene. All results were less than the detection limit and were calculated at half the given value, i.e. <2 = 1).

34 35 Eastern Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000 Eastern Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000

Bacteriological Monitoring – Beach Samples Raw Sewage Monitoring

Samples of the receiving waters were taken throughout the year at six locations along the Gunnamatta and The sewage coming into the plant is monitored to ensure that plant processes are managed to treat sewage St Andrews beaches and analysed for E.coli. ETP is required to report to the EPA any time the 42-day in the best possible manner. The following table shows the quality of sewage as it flows into the plant. geometric mean exceeds 200 org/100mL or if the 80th percentile exceeds 400 org/mL. Sample points 5 and 6 are north west from the outlet along St Andrews Beach and sample points 1, 2, 3 and 4 are south east Parameter, Units Median 90th Percentile Maximum from the outlet along Gunnamatta Beach. Sample points 1 and 5 are adjacent to the outlet. BOD5 (mg/L) 335 517 980 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 320 681 810 Geometric (Log) Mean (org/100mL)* SEPP (Waters of Victoria ) Objective: 200 org/100mL pH (pH units) 6.9 7.1 6.4–7.2 42-day period ends No.1 No.2 No.3 No.4 No.5 No.6 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 36 39 40 Total Combined Nitrogen (mg/L) 64 77.4 120

11 August 1999 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.0 2.2 1.2 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 13 16.4 27 22 September 1999 1.3 1.0 1.3 2.9 5.7 2.6 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 4.6 7.12 11 3 November 1999 3.2 1.4 1.0 1.1 6.5 2.0 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.0016 0.0035 0.018 15 December 1999 20.7 1.3 1.7 1.0 58.8 1.0 Chromium (mg/L) 0.032 0.056 0.067 26 January 2000 5.3 2.3 1.7 1.4 29.3 2.6 Copper (mg/L) 0.1 0.168 0.35 8 March 2000 8.1 1.3 1.6 1.1 50.5 1.6 Lead (mg/L) 0.044 0.1 0.28 19 April 2000 3.4 1.6 1.0 1.1 43.9 1.3 Mercury (mg/L) 0.00013 0.00024 0.00054 31 May 2000 4.7 1.1 1.0 1.0 20.9 1.2 Phenol (mg/L) 0.5 20.5 28 30 June 2000 25.8 5.7 2.4 1.7 54.0 2.9 Toluene (mg/L) 2.75 5.9 7 Benzene (mg/L) 0.5 2.5 14 Note: * Samples that resulted in 0 E.coli were assumed to have a level of 1.0 to determine the geometric mean. Total PAHs (mg/L) 4 4

Note: * Total PAHs are calculated using the sum of the following PAHs: 80th Percentile (org/100mL) (acenapthylene, anthracene, 1,2-benzanthracene, 3,4-benzofluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, 1,12-benzoperylene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, dibenzo(a.h)anthracene, fluorene and indeno (1.2.3-cd) pyrene. SEPP (Waters of Victoria) Objective: 400 org/100mL All results were less than the detection limit and were calculated at half the given value, i.e. <2 = 1). 42-day period ends No.1 No.2 No.3 No.4 No.5 No.6

11 August 1999 3.4 3.4 3.4 1.0 13.0 1.8 The total volume of sewage received at ETP in 1999/00 was 134,012 megalitres. 22 September 1999 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 12.0 4.0 3 November 1999 6.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 18.0 4.0 15 December 1999 128.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 144.0 1.0 26 January 2000 20.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 160.0 4.0 8 March 2000 19.2 1.8 2.6 1.0 78.8 3.4 19 April 2000 10.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 64.0 2.0 31 May 2000 15.8 1.2 1.0 1.0 42.4 1.4 30 June 2000 44.0 11.2 5.6 2.8 101.6 8.4

Note: SEPP is State environment protection policy – Waters of Victoria

36 37 Western Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000 Western Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000

The Western Treatment Plant (WTP) is located at Werribee and treated about 53 per cent of Melbourne’s Table 1: Annual and Average Daily Discharges sewage. The Plant has a licence from the EPA to discharge treated effluent to Port Phillip Bay from four discharge points between the Werribee River and Point Wilson. It is Melbourne Water’s aim to achieve 100 Annual Discharge Average Daily Discharge per cent compliance with its licence. Outlet Megalitres Megalitres

The following tables show compliance performance of WTP over the 1999/2000 year against the parameter 15 East 78714 216 limits detailed in the EPA licence. In the tables the limit is the required performance as stated in the licence 145 West 23025 63 and the result is how WTP performed. Lake Borrie 15005 41 The licence has plant wide limits for CBOD, suspended solids and total phosphorus based on a weighted Murtcaim 21260 58 average calculated using the following formula: Total 138004 378 ∑ (flow from each discharge point multiplied by the units of the indicator)/ sum of all flows of treated wastewater from all discharge points. Table 2: Flow Weighted Parameters and Total Nitrogen Load There is a plant wide limit on flow of a combined daily average of 700 megalitres per day over any one year. The licence also has an annual limit of 4300 tonnes total nitrogen load, averaged over three Median 90th Percentile Maximum consecutive years. This limit is to be progressively reduced to 3500 tonnes after 2001. For other parameters Parameter Units Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result the performance limits apply individually to the four outlets. CBOD mg/L 25 8 * 11 * 14 Table 1 shows the discharges from each of the outlets during 1999/2000 and Table 2 shows compliance Suspended Solids mg/L 100 39 130 57 * 78 with total nitrogen load and the flow-weighted parameters of CBOD, BOD and Suspended Solids. Total Phosphorus mg/L * 10 15 11 * 12 Final effluents at the four discharge points were sampled and analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo dioxins Total Annual Nitrogen Load Tonnes * * * * 4 300 3572 and furans (PCDD/F), as toxic equivalents of 2,3,7,8 tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin. The sampling for PCDD/F

is carried out once at each outlet in a specified month each year. Results are shown in Table 3. Note: * Not specified in the licence

Table 3: Outlet PCDD/F as Total Toxic Equivalents of 2,3,7,8 TCDD

Parameter Units October 1999 January 2000 April 2000 Murtcaim 15E 145W

I-TEQ – Excluding LOD Values picograms per litre 1.51 0.66 1.78 I-TEQ – Including Half LOD Values picograms per litre 15.1 7.49 13.4

Notes: I-TEQ = international total toxic equivalent. LOD = limit of detection.

The following tables show the level of performance and required compliance for each outlet.

38 39 Western Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000 Western Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000

15 East Outlet 145 West Drain Outlet

The 15E outlet drains the 115E, 55E and the 25W lagoons and land filtration areas. The 145W outlet is located adjacent to the estuary of the Little River. It drains the 85W, 145W and Walsh’s lagoons and land filtration areas via ground water.

15E Drain Licence 145W Drain Licence Median 90th Percentile Maximum Parameter (Unit) Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result Median 90th Percentile Maximum Parameter (Unit) Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result CBOD (mg/L) 5.5 10 12 BOD5 (mg/L) 16 66 120 CBOD (mg/L) 12 18.9 35 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 24 35.8 45 BOD5 (mg/L) 16 66 120 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 25 2.3 22 40 25 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 63 129 300 Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 24.5 36.8 41 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 25 7.45 19.9 40 25 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 9.7 15 10 12 Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 21.5 34 38 Colour (Pt/Co units) 100 600 145 150 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 10 15 12 13 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 0.5 0.2 0.3 1.0 0.3 Colour (Pt/Co units) 100 600 150 150 Silicate (mg/L) 7.9 14 15 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 0.5 0.2 0.3 1.0 0.3 Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm) 2300 2500 2800 Silicate (mg/L) 14 18 18 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.005 0.0002 0.0002 0.01 0.0002 Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm) 3500 8900 33000 Chromium (mg/L) 0.05 0.0055 0.007 0.15 0.007 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.005 0.0003 0.0004 0.01 0.0006 Copper (mg/L) 0.05 0.0065 0.0079 0.1 0.008 Chromium (mg/L) 0.05 0.014 0.0189 0.15 0.02 Lead (mg/L) 0.05 0.003 0.0039 0.1 0.004 Copper (mg/L) 0.05 0.011 0.0149 0.1 0.016 Mercury (mg/L) 0.0005 0.0001 0.00019 0.001 0.0002 Lead (mg/L) 0.05 0.006 0.0079 0.1 0.008 Nickel (mg/L) 0.05 0.016 0.017 0.15 0.018 Mercury (mg/L) 0.0005 0.0001 0.0002 0.001 0.0003 Zinc (mg/L) 0.1 0.0125 0.0197 0.25 0.076 Nickel (mg/L) 0.05 0.018 0.0209 0.15 0.022 Benzene (µg/L) 1 1.9 10 Zinc (mg/L) 0.1 0.019 0.024 0.25 0.025 Toluene (µg/L) 1 1.9 10 Benzene (µg/L) 1 1 10 Phenol (µg/L) 0.01 0.06 0.19 Toluene (µg/L) 1 1 10 Total PAHs (µg/L) 8 8 8 Phenol (µg/L) 0.01 0.03 0.23 E.coli (org/100mL) 55 955 19000 Total PAHs (µg/L) 8 8 8 Acute Toxicity (Microtox EC 50) 100 100 75% 100 E.coli (org/100mL) 230 12300 240000 Acute Toxicity (Microtox EC 50) 100 100 75% 100

40 41 Western Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000 Western Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000

Lake Borrie Outlet Murtcaim Main Drain Outlet

The Lake Borrie outlet drains Lake Borrie and provides series treatment for some land and grass The Murtcaim outlet drains the Western and T section lagoons (land filtration effluent is pumped into filtration effluents. Western lagoon) and is the main outlet for grass filtration areas which operate in the cooler months.

Lake Borrie Licence Murtcaim Main Drain Licence

Median 90th Percentile Maximum Median 90th Percentile Maximum Parameter (Unit) Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result Parameter (Unit) Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result

CBOD (mg/L) 9 16 29 CBOD (mg/L) 12 23 32 BOD5 (mg/L) 11.5 23.1 40 BOD5 (mg/L) 19 30 54 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 47 120 230 Suspended Solids (mg/L) 71.5 120 150 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 25 12 31 40 34 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 25 7.6 20 40 25 Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 20.5 36.9 49 Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 20.5 30.9 32 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 9.9 15 12 14 Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 11 15 12 14 Colour (Pt/Co units) 225 600 395 500 Colour (Pt/Co units) 150 600 200 200 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 0.5 0.2 0.39 1.0 0.6 Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 0.5 0.3 0.3 1.0 0.4 Silicate (mg/L) 13 17 17 Silicate (mg/L) 18 21 21 Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm) 2900 3610 9000 Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm) 2600 3000 3100 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.005 0.0002 0.0002 0.01 0.0007 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.005 0.0003 0.00104 0.01 0.0016 Chromium (mg/L) 0.05 0.0095 0.0118 0.15 0.013 Chromium (mg/L) 0.05 0.0155 0.0282 0.15 0.044 Copper (mg/L) 0.05 0.008 0.0128 0.1 0.024 Copper (mg/L) 0.05 0.011 0.0241 0.1 0.04 Lead (mg/L) 0.05 0.002 0.003 0.1 0.004 Lead (mg/L) 0.05 0.0085 0.0129 0.1 0.019 Mercury (mg/L) 0.0005 0.0001 0.0001 0.001 0.0003 Mercury (mg/L) 0.0005 0.00015 0.00029 0.001 0.0004 Nickel (mg/L) 0.05 0.0175 0.0209 0.15 0.027 Nickel (mg/L) 0.05 0.022 0.0259 0.15 0.028 Zinc (mg/L) 0.1 0.0115 0.0138 0.25 0.026 Zinc (mg/L) 0.1 0.0225 0.0492 0.25 0.07 Benzene (µg/L) 1 1 10 Benzene (µg/L) 1 1 10 Toluene (µg/L) 1 1 10 Toluene (µg/L) 1 1 10 Phenol (µg/L) 0.01 0.03 0.13 Phenol (µg/L) 0.01 0.11 0.44 Total PAHs (µg/L) 8 8 8 Total PAHs (µg/L) 8 8 8 E.coli (org/100mL) 3900 28200 220000 E.coli (org/100mL) 50 350 2500 Acute Toxicity (Microtox EC 50) Acute Toxicity (Microtox EC 50) – Outside Range (no.) 100 100 75% 100 – Outside Range (no.) 100 100 75% 100

42 43 Western Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000 Western Treatment Plant Licence Compliance 1999/2000

Bacteriological Monitoring Raw Sewage Monitoring

Every seven days a sample of seawater is collected in 60 centimetre depth of water off-shore from Beach WTP monitors the sewage coming into the plant to ensure that plant processes are managed to treat sewage Road and 160 South Road and analysed to determine the concentration of E.coli in the sample. These two in the best possible manner. The following table shows the quality of sewage as it flows into the plant. points are public access points to Port Phillip Bay within WTP and outside of the designated mixing zones for E.coli. Parameter (Unit) Median 90th Percentile Maximum

Melbourne Water must report to the EPA if the 42-day geometric mean exceeds 1000 E.coli organisms per Flow (ML/day) 517.2 597.4 1156 100 millilitres and/or if more than 20 per cent of samples (80th Percentile) in any 42-day period exceed BOD5 (mg/L) 460 580 870 2000 E.coli organisms per 100 millilitres. These results are shown in the following table. Suspended Solids (mg/L) 360 440 560 Ammonia as N (mg/L) 31 33 34 E.coli – 42-Day Geometric Means and 80th Percentiles Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 58.14 62.134 65.14

(All results orgs/100 millilitres) Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 12 13 14 Colour (Pt/Co units) 150 150 150 Geometric Mean 80th Percentile Anionic Surfactants (mg/L) 5.75 8.81 8.9 42 Day Period Ends Beach Rd 160 South Rd Beach Rd 160 South Rd Silicate (mg/L) 13.5 14 14 3 August 1999 10 17 86 39 Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm) 1900 2020 2500 14 September 1999 9 8 48 60 Cadmium (mg/L) 0.00055 0.0009 0.0009 26 October 1999 42 38 98 330 Chromium (mg/L) 0.0535 0.0744 0.087 8 December 1999 25 20 70 40 Copper (mg/L) 0.13 0.151 0.16 19 January 2000 11 67 20 2700* Lead (mg/L) 0.0175 0.0241 0.025 22 February 2000 27 11 220 20 Mercury (mg/L) 0.0004 0.0006 0.0006 5 April 2000 19 10 40 10 Nickel (mg/L) 0.034 0.037 0.037 17 May 2000 15 52 34 460 Zinc (mg/L) 0.205 0.261 0.27 27 June 2000 6 9 12 31 pH (pH units) 7 7.2 7.8 Note: Benzene (µg/L) 3 10 10 *This result was due to high flows in the Werribee River due to storms in the river’s catchment and not related Toluene (µg/L) 6.5 13.1 14 to Western Treatment Plant outlets. Phenol (µg/L) 1.05 1.69 2.5 Total PAHs (µg/L) 8 43.1 71

The total volume of sewage received at WTP in 1999/2000 was 195,508 ML.

44 45 Waterway Water Quality Monitoring Results 1999/2000 Waterway Water Quality Monitoring Results 1999/2000

Summary of the Level of Compliance with State Environment Protection Policy Objectives State Environment Protection Policy for Greater Melbourne’s Waterways

The following tables refer to monitoring sites located on waterways depicted in the following map. DO Turb. SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn Relevant compliance levels are detailed in the table on page 47. Monitoring data is from the 1999/2000 year mg/L NTU/FTU mg/L mg/L mg/L org/100mL mg/L mg/L and is more fully reported in Melbourne Water’s Healthy Waterway Report. Catchment Min Median Median Max Max Geomean Max Max

Waters of the Yarra Catchment Rural Eastern Waterways >6.0 <15 <20 <0.60 <0.05 <200 <0.002 <0.005 Rural Western Waterways >6.0 <25 <25 <0.60 <0.05 <200 <0.002 <0.005 Yarra Tributaries – Southern >6.0 <25 <25 <1.00 <0.10 <1000 <0.002 <0.005 Yarra Tributaries – Northern >6.0 <25 <25 <1.00 <0.10 <1000 <0.002 <0.005 Urban Waterways – Yarra mainstream >6.0 <25c/30d <25c/50d <0.90 <0.08 <200 <0.002 <0.005

Waters of the Dandenong Valley Dandenong Creek & Major Tributaries >4.5 <25 <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.05 <0.25 Mordialloc & Kananook Creeks >4.0 <20 <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.02 <0.04 Mordialloc & Kananook Creek Tributaries >4.5 <20* <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.05 <0.25

Waters of Western Port Bay & Catchment Western Port Waterways – Peninsula >6.0 <25* <25* <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.01 <0.005 Western Port Waterways – Eastern >6.5 <25* <25* <0.75 <0.1 <200 <0.01 <0.005

Waters of Victoria Balcombe Creek >5.0 <25* <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.01 <0.02 Maribyrnong River & Tributaries >5.0 <25* <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.025 <0.05 Maribyrnong River – Estuarine >5.0 <25* <25 <0.75 <0.1 <1000 <0.01 <0.02

Notes: (c) Yarra mainstream u/s of Diamond Creek confluence (d) Yarra mainstream d/s of Diamond Creek confluence.

*SEPPs do not stipulate an objective, therefore this report has assumed a commonly accepted figure for the catchment. SEPPs for the South Eastern and Western waterways do not stipulate an objective for T-N or T-P. Therefore the ANZECC figures have been used (<0.75 mg/L and <0.1 mg/L respectively).

46 47 Waterway Water Quality Monitoring Results 1999/2000 Waterway Water Quality Monitoring Results 1999/2000

All results in the following tables are annual medians, except for E.coli, which is an annual geometric mean. Yarra Catchment – Southern Urban Tributaries

Site DO Turb. SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn Yarra Catchment – Rural Eastern and Western Waterways No. Description mg/L NTU/FTU mg/L mg/L mg/L Org/100ml mg/L mg/L

24 Andersons Creek at Everard Site DO Turb. SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn Dve bridge, Warrandyte 9.1 28 9 3.122 0.270 704 0.0020 0.0180 No. Description mg/L NTU/FTU mg/L mg/L mg/L Org/100ml mg/L mg/L 22 Brushy Creek at Lower Homestead Rd bridge, 17 Arthurs Creek at Burkes Bridge, Wonga Park 8.0 20 13 7.681 0.415 515 0.0010 0.0510 Hurstbridge 8.2 25 7 0.568 0.047 284 0.0010 0.0040 28 Gardiners Creek at South 11 Cockatoo Creek at Tschampions Eastern Fwy, Hawthorn 9.8 11 6 1.655 0.086 731 0.0050 0.0675 Rd, Macclesfield 9.4 27 16 1.469 0.041 58 0.0010 0.0055 23 Jumping Creek at Jumping 18 Diamond Creek at Cottles Bridge- Creek Rd bridge, Wonga Park 9.1 40 6 1.484 0.064 222 0.0020 0.0090 Strathewen Rd, Cottles Bridge 6.9 26 10 1.033 0.061 168 0.0020 0.0095 27 Koonung Creek at Bulleen Rd, 15 Lillyponds Creek at Melba Hwy, Bulleen 7.3 33 16 1.332 0.120 1367 0.0040 0.0640 Yering5.1 43 21 1.924 0.084 82 0.0020 0.0060 25 Mullum Mullum Creek at 8 Little Yarra River at Corduroy Rd, Deep Creek Reserve, Warrandyte 9.0 35 14 3.017 0.310 372 0.0040 0.0470 Yarra Junction 9.6 16 17 0.673 0.032 474 0.0010 0.0040 21 Olinda Creek at Macintyre 20 Merri Creek at Summerhill Rd, Lne, Coldstream 7.5 24 12 2.867 0.195 360 0.0010 0.0085 Craigieburn 6.0 12 17 1.142 0.070 215 0.0010 0.0050 26 Ruffy Creek at Parker St, 19 Plenty River at Plenty Gorge, Templestowe 10.1 14 6 2.340 0.240 1179 0.0020 0.0480 South Morang7.9 17 8 1.316 0.130 146 0.0010 0.0070 14 Steels Creek at Healesville Rd, Yarra Glen 8.9 23 9 0.741 0.035 99 0.0010 0.0040 Yarra Catchment – Northern Urban Tributaries 12 Wandin Yallock Creek at Killara Rd, Gruyere 8.5 25 16 2.282 0.140 306 0.0010 0.0050 Site DO Turb. SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn 16 Watsons Creek at Henley Rd, No. Description mg/L NTU/FTU mg/L mg/L mg/L Org/100ml mg/L mg/L Kangaroo Ground 8.9 9 4 0.521 0.018 106 0.0010 0.0030 31 Darebin Creek at Clark Rd 13 Watts River at Healesville- footbridge, Ivanhoe 9.5 6 4 0.939 0.086 847 0.0020 0.0505 Kinglake Rd, Healesville 8.8 12 9 0.903 0.029 357 0.0010 0.0060 29 Diamond Creek at Main Rd, 10 Woori Yallock Creek at Eltham 8.7 36 11 0.970 0.078 455 0.0030 0.0230 Macclesfield Rd, Yellingbo 8.6 23 13 1.169 0.038 127 0.0010 0.0040 32 Merri Creek at Roseneath St, 9 Woori Yallock Creek at Yarra Bend 11.0 7 5 1.302 0.110 167 0.0030 0.0475 Warburton Hwy, Woori Yallock 8.5 21 12 1.119 0.036 70 0.0010 0.0030 33 Moonee Ponds Creek at Mt Alexander Rd, Parkville 7.5 11 8 2.427 0.140 377 0.0030 0.0385 30 Plenty River at Henty Rd bridge, Lower Plenty 7.8 34 14 1.257 0.098 507 0.0060 0.0310

48 49 Waterway Water Quality Monitoring Results 1999/2000 Waterway Water Quality Monitoring Results 1999/2000

Yarra Catchment – Yarra Mainstream & Estuary Mordialloc and Kananook Creeks and Mornington Peninsula Waterways Site DO Turb. SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn No. Description mg/L NTU/FTU mg/L mg/L mg/L Org/100ml mg/L mg/L Site DO Turb. SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn 6 Yarra River at Chandler Hwy, No. Description mg/L NTU/FTU mg/L mg/L mg/L Org/100ml mg/L mg/L Kew 7.8 26 21 1.081 0.068 212 0.0035 0.0165 46 Balcombe Creek at Uralla Dve 2 Yarra River at Don Rd, footbridge, Mt Martha 8.5 15 6 1.240 0.055 326 0.0010 0.0120 Launching Place 9.6 8 8 0.537 0.023 225 0.0010 0.0030 48 Chinamans Creek at Eastbourne 5 Yarra River at Kangaroo Ground- Rd, Rosebud West 3.1 4 4 0.981 0.069 135 0.0010 0.0100 Warrandyte Rd bridge, Warrandyte 9.2 19 12 1.139 0.055 159 0.0010 0.0060 47 Dunns Creek at Marine Drv, 3 Yarra River at Maroondah Hwy, Safety Beach 8.3 6 4 0.825 0.038 320 0.0010 0.0130 Healesville 8.8 19 14 0.828 0.034 315 0.0010 0.0045 44 Kananook Creek at Wells St, 1 Yarra River at McKenzie-King Drv, Frankston 8.0 7 37 0.825 0.135 334 0.0030 0.0445 Millgrove 10.2 6 6 0.492 0.024 201 0.0010 0.0030 49 Main Creek at Boneo Rd, 7 Yarra River at Princes Bridge, Flinders 11.9 4 4 0.681 0.027 163 0.0010 0.0035 South Melbourne 6.0 12 18 1.080 0.086 468 0.0035 0.0190 51 Merricks Creek at end Bridge St, 4 Yarra River at Spadonis Reserve, Merricks 7.2 15 11 1.307 0.205 215 0.0010 0.0170 Coldstream 8.6 22 19 0.804 0.049 254 0.0010 0.0050 43 Mordialloc Creek at Wells Rd, Mordialloc 8.4 28 22 1.655 0.160 460 0.0065 0.0770 52 Warrangine Creek at Frankston- Flinders Rd, Hastings 9.7 14 6 1.169 0.053 285 0.0010 0.0105 Waters of Dandenong Valley 50 Watsons Creek at Dandenong- Hastings Rd, Somerville 9.4 30 26 62.260 0.710 652 0.0020 0.0210 Site DO Turb. SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn

No. Description mg/L NTU/FTU mg/L mg/L mg/L Org/100ml mg/L mg/L

38 Corhanwarrabul Creek at Wellington Rd, Rowville 10.1 24 8 1.190 0.079 490 0.0035 0.0345 35 Dandenong Creek at Boronia Rd, Wantirna 9.4 26 12 1.350 0.095 823 0.0045 0.0910 37 Dandenong Creek at Pillars Crossing, Dandenong South 10.5 39 23 1.492 0.094 734 0.0070 0.0980 36 Dandenong Creek at Stud Rd, Dandenong North 9.4 29 15 1.213 0.085 504 0.0050 0.0505 34 Dandenong Creek u/s Sheffield Rd, Doongalla Forest 11.6 19 16 1.411 0.040 135 0.0015 0.0040 45 Elster Creek at Cochrane Street, Elwood 10.6 13 8 2.440 0.150 1086 0.0040 0.1800 42 Eumemmerring Creek at Worsley Rd, Bangholme 9.3 41 16 2.350 0.280 1048 0.0035 0.0380 41 Hallam Main Drain at Sth Gippsland Hwy Hampton Park 9.1 51 30 1.415 0.078 690 0.0030 0.0150 39 Mile Creek at Cheltenham Rd, Keysborough 9.0 14 7 1.205 0.073 663 0.0040 0.2400 40 Patterson River at NWSC outlet, Bangholme 9.9 57 34 1.789 0.145 74 0.0070 0.0430

50 51 Waterway Water Quality Monitoring Results 1999/2000 Operating Charter Performance Summary 1999/2000

Western Port Waterways Commitment as set out in the Charter Result Notes

DF1 Asset Management Site DO Turb. SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn “There will be minimal instances of asset One instance occurred. A 2-metre section of drain No. Description mg/L NTU/FTU mg/L mg/L mg/L Org/100ml mg/L mg/L • failure causing significant flooding, serious near Palmer Street, Richmond collapsed under 62 Bunyip River at Healesville- damage or personal injury.” pressure during an intense rainstorm, resulting in Koo Wee Rup Rd, Koo Wee Rup 8.7 24 22 1.228 0.061 238 0.0015 0.0065 damage to the Main Yarra Trail. 61 Bunyip River at Little Rd, Iona 8.8 36 14 0.767 0.049 443 0.0015 0.0080 DF2(a) Flood Mitigation (progress) 59 Bunyip River at North Labertouche “Annual expenditure on flood mitigation The program is on schedule, currently providing for Rd, Tonimbuk 8.9 11 8 0.753 0.022 70 0.0010 0.0050 works will be sufficient to reduce the about 260 properties to be made safe by June 2002. 60 Bunyip River d/s Cannibal Creek, number of vulnerable properties by 800 Longwarry North 8.5 21 12 0.744 0.037 303 0.0010 0.0055 over 10 years.” 54 Cardinia Creek at Ballarto Rd, Cardinia 8.0 23 7 0.842 0.053 89 0.0015 0.0080 DF2(b) Flood Mitigation 53 Cardinia Creek at Cadwick Rd, (project management standards) Upper Beaconsfield 8.2 12 6 0.648 0.034 183 0.0010 0.0060 “All projects undertaken in any one year The only exceptions were projects already approved 57 Deep Creek at Ballarto Road, will fully comply with the project and in progress prior to some of the project Rythdale 6.3 44 23 1.491 0.295 164 0.0025 0.0120 management requirements” management requirements being formalised.

65 Lang Lang River at Drouin- DF3 Flood Event Monitoring Poowong Rd, Athlone 6.5 15 11 1.525 0.103 377 0.0010 0.0070 “The Bureau of Meteorology will receive Achieved by default, as there were no notifiable 64 Lang Lang River at South the initial notification and subsequent flood events on the main rivers during the Gippsland Hwy, Lang Lang 7.8 29 24 1.691 0.135 220 0.0010 0.0080 forecast information for all notifiable events 1999/2000 financial year. 58 Tarago River at Morrisons on the stipulated waterways.” Rd, Labertouche 7.4 17 11 0.702 0.053 476 0.0010 0.0045 DF4 (a) Property Information Statements 56 Toomuc Creek at Ballarto Rd, Rythdale 6.9 34 15 1.263 0.093 306 0.0020 0.0120 “All urban properties affected by flooding This program is ahead of schedule, and should be 55 Toomuc Creek at Princes Hwy, will have up-to-date flooding information completed by December 2000, with regular updating Pakenham 8.2 20 9 0.835 0.044 369 0.0010 0.0100 available by June 2001 and continuously thereafter as properties change. 63 Yallock Outfall at South thereafter.” Gippsland Hwy, Monomeith 7.6 90 94 3.447 0.790 506 0.0030 0.0110 DF4(b) Planning Scheme Updates “All municipalities will have up-to-date flood This program is ahead of schedule, with amendments related information in their planning exhibited for seventeen municipalities by June 2000. Maribyrnong River and Tributaries and Other Western Waterways schemes by June 2002.” WW1(a) Waterway Works Approvals Site DO Turb. SS TN TP E.coli Pb Zn “No works will be approved unless • The commitment was implemented, but the records No. Description mg/L NTU/FTU mg/L mg/L mg/L Org/100ml mg/L mg/L appropriate measures are incorporated were not sufficiently detailed to demonstrate

66 Maribyrnong River at to protect waterway values.” compliance. Brimbank Park Ford, Keilor 6.6 15 13 1.119 0.049 65 0.0010 0.0070 WW1(b) Unauthorised Waterways Works 67 Maribyrnong River at “All significant instances of unauthorised Two instances of significant unauthorised works Canning St Ford, Avondale Heights 7.5 18 16 1.150 0.074 156 0.0010 0.0080 works will be strenuously pursued.” were pursued to satisfactory resolution. 68 Steele Creek at Rose Ave, Niddrie 9.0 5 3 0.464 0.038 144 0.0010 0.0300 WW2 Waterway Maintenance 70 Kororoit Creek at Millbank “The maintenance program will be 94% of the approved program was completed at a Dve, Deer Park 6.7 24 21 0.837 0.066 78 0.0025 0.0125 • completed annually in accordance with cost of $6.17M. However, this was 1% outside the 71 Kororoit Creek u/s Racecourse targeted priorities and the project agreed tolerances. Road Ford, Altona 7.7 35 42 1.730 0.235 343 0.0085 0.0235 management requirements set out in 72 Skeleton Creek at Ayr St, Laverton 5.8 8 11 0.754 0.115 223 0.0010 0.0110 Section 5.3.” 69 Stony Creek at Bena St, Yarraville 7.8 13 13 2.970 0.325 2147 0.0035 0.0695

52 53 Operating Charter Performance Summary 1999/2000 Operating Charter Performance Summary 1999/2000

Commitment as set out in the Charter Result Notes Commitment as set out in the Charter Result Notes

WW3 Stream Frontage Protection WQ1(b) Codes of Practice “At least 50,000 plants and 25 kilometres 97.5% of the plants target and over 200% of the – Preparation and Revision of fencing will be established each year fencing target were achieved during the year, at a “Waterways and Drainage will work with Staff played a major role in the development of to protect rural waterways under the cost of $422,000. other agencies and industry bodies to “Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines Stream Frontage Protection program.” complete new codes or revise old ones at for Urban Stormwater”. the average rate of one each year to 2009.” WW4(a) Streamflow Management Plan Preparation WQ2 Stormwater Management Plans “Streamflow Management Plans will be Satisfactory progress made, although absolute “Sufficient stormwater management plans This program is on schedule, with seven plans produced each year to achieve full requirements are still under development with the will be produced each year to ensure all completed, four in progress and a further six coverage by June 2003.” Department of Natural Resources and Environment. thirty two municipalities are covered by committed for completion by June 2001.

WW4(b) Streamflow Management June 2003.” Plan Review WQ3 Toxicant Control “From June 2003, sufficient previous Plans Automatically achieved because no plans were old Recommendations will be revised each year to keep all plans enough to require updating. “A technical report and recommendations Two reports produced in 1999/2000 included up to date thereafter (ie no older than will be provided on at least one new specific analysis of toxicant issues. 5 years).” toxicity issue each year.”

WW5 Waterway Capital Works WQ4 Water Quality Improvement “Full implementation of the annually Total expenditure of $3.1M, with all projects meeting Facilities: budgeted program will be achieved in relevant management standards. “New water quality improvement facilities Total expenditure was $4.1M, with all projects accordance with Waterways and will be constructed each year in meeting relevant management standards. Drainage project management accordance with the approved program requirements.” and Waterways and Drainage project management standards.” WW6 Waterway Condition Reports “The condition of a proportion of Index of Stream Condition data were finalised and WQ5(a) WQ Reports – Ambient Monitoring waterways will be re-assessed and the results reported for 24% of the waterways, all located in the will be published each year to cover all Yarra River catchment. “The results of the previous calendar Effectively achieved, though publication was not waterways every five years using the year’s ambient monitoring program finalised until July. Victorian Index of Stream Condition.” and trend analysis will be published by the end of May each year.” WW7 Waterway Management Plans • “New Plans will be produced each year to Six plans completed during 1999/2000, bringing the WQ5(b) WQ Reports – Investigative Monitoring complete the required coverage by 2002.” number of completed plans to 31, or two thirds of the “Results of the previous calendar year’s Six reports on individual waterways were completed • “Previous plans will be revised each year total requirement. Plan preparation program is on investigative monitoring will be published during the financial year. from 2002 to ensure that all waterways schedule, with no plans yet due for revision. by the end of September each year.” have up-to-date plans available.” WQ5(c) WQ Data Standards WQ1(a) Codes of Practice – Status Review “All specified scientific and quality control Standards were identified and compliance assurances “The status of Codes of Practice relevant • A schedule of relevant codes was researched and standards, as assessed by periodic were verified. to stormwater quality protection will be prepared, but detailed review and reporting were not independent audit, will be complied with.” reviewed and reported each year.” achieved during the 1999/2000 year. WQ6(a) Waterwatch Strategy “A forward strategy will be developed The Strategy was finalised in May 2000 by June 2000 in collaboration with stakeholders.”

54 55 Operating Charter Performance Summary 1999/2000 Operating Charter Performance Summary 1999/2000

Commitment as set out in the Charter Result Notes Commitment as set out in the Charter Result Notes

WQ6(b) Waterwatch Strategy MF5(b) Incident Response Performance Implementation “In each year, the service will operate as Satisfactory response achieved for all incidents, “Implementation of the Waterwatch A full program of activities was implemented based planned for all incidents that require based on de-brief findings. strategy will be reported annually.” on past plans, pending finalisation of the Strategy. emergency response.”

MF1 Drainage Schemes MF6 Innovation “All new growth areas in development No exceptions to date. • “Specific innovation targets will be Nine innovative projects implemented in 1999/2000 corridors will have drainage schemes developed and incorporated in each and a further five identified in the 2000/2001 in place within three years of significant year’s business plan.” Business Plan. subdivisional activity commencing.” • “Achievements against the previous MF2 Property Development Controls year’s innovation targets will be • “95% of all referrals will be processed • 98.8% of referrals processed within 28 days. reported each year.” within the statutory 28-day period.” • “95% of all agreement applications • 97.7% of offers processed within 60 days. will be processed within the 60-day period agreed with the development industry.”

MF3(a) Research Results “Research expenditure will be maintained Expenditure during 1999/2000 totalled $576,000. at a level of at least $450,000 per annum.”

MF3(b) Research Implementation “Two significant improvements to work Five improvements were implemented during methods will be achieved each year 1999/2000. as a result of research findings.”

MF4(a) Community Education “The approved community education The full program of activities was successfully program will be fully implemented delivered. each year.”

MF4(b) Community Attitude Surveys “Community attitude survey results will A survey of young people’s attitudes to conservation be reported for at least one new topic and environment issues relative to other major drivers each year.” such as economic development was undertaken and results were reported in The Age and on the MWC Internet site.

MF5(a) Incident Response Preparation A program of incident response training, • The 1999/2000 program focused specifically on and preparation and review of Y2K readiness, rather than general incident response contingency plans will be fully preparation and training. implemented each year.

56 57 Environmental Incidents Summary Environment Policy

Incident Reporting Framework Melbourne Water revised its environment policy during the year to emphasise its commitment to its customers and the urban water cycle and to reflect its desire to Melbourne Water has developed an incident hierarchy for the reporting of environmental incidents. certify to ISO 14001. The new policy is: In this report the number of incidents during 1999/2000 is compared with the previous two years. In determining the level of the incident the factors taken into account include: To be a leader in Urban Water Cycle management • The degree to which Melbourne Water contributed to the incident • Whether Melbourne Water had to suspend operations • Whether the incident was within Melbourne Water’s control or influence • The severity and duration of the incident.

Examples of incident levels are level 1 (an odour complaint), level 2 (a minor breach of an environmental Melbourne Water will: regulation), level 5 (a catastrophic incident with irreversible environmental impacts, such as a large dam failure). Work towards achieving a sustainable balance between environmental protection and economic development that is in the interests of future generations. During the year Melbourne Water had six sewage spills, 44 odour complaints and three days when environmental flow requirements were not met. Flow in the Yarra fell below the required amount but Implement environmental policies and procedures within the framework of environmental management Melbourne Water took action, to the extent practicable, and this was not regarded as an incident for systems consistent with the Australian water industry environmental management guidelines and ISO 14001.

reporting purposes. Comply with statutory and corporate requirements and, through a continual improvement process, develop The following table shows the number of environmental incidents that occurred for each level. strategies to meet expected medium to long term regulatory trends.

The odour complaints make up most of the level one incidents. Minimise the environmental impact of the organisation’s activities and ensure that management, employees and contractors: • Are equipped to anticipate and manage the environmental risks and responsibilities in their day-to-day work; Environmental Incidents and • Take all reasonable care to address the environmental aspects of business activities. Level 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 Involve customers, stakeholders and the community in current activities, new projects and strategies through 5 000 appropriate consultation and education programs. 4 000 Integrate environmental management with business planning, decision making and economic evaluation processes. 3 000 2206 2 1484151Melbourne Water will fulfil this policy by:

Tot al 68 47 53 Conducting regular environmental audits and assessments of the corporation’s compliance with statutory and corporate requirements and periodically providing appropriate information to the Board, shareholders, customers, employees and the public. Incident levels will be revised for next year’s report to align with Melbourne Water’s incident management Undertaking research and development and contributing to the transfer of environmentally sound technology system, PERFORM. There are four categories of incident in PERFORM. From next year, environmental and management methods throughout the water industry. incidents will be reported against the four levels. Identifying and implementing waste minimisation strategies (including the recycling and reuse of products) to minimise risk and add value to the business.

Minimising the environmental impacts of Melbourne Water through: • using a risk management approach appropriate to the potential for environmental damage; • carefully evaluating decisions to avoid, wherever practicable, serious and irreversible environmental damage; • identifying and critically assessing options for proposed projects and strategies; • sound environmental management of the construction phase; • developing and implementing environment improvement plans for current operations; and • developing emergency preparedness plans where potential hazards exist.

Brian Bayley, Managing Director, November 1999 58 59 Verification Statement Verification Statement

Melbourne Water commissioned the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (SMEC) Aspects and Impacts Review

to independently verify the data and content within this Environment Report 1999/2000. The review process consisted of a desktop review of Melbourne Water’s current aspects and impacts register This was Melbourne Water’s seventh external environmental reporting cycle but the first for each of the business units and an assessment of the level of reporting on those issues that Melbourne time that the report is presented in a report card style format. This coordination of Water considers being significant. reporting mechanisms that result in the combined release of its Annual Financial Report, • Overall, most of the significant environmental impacts have been covered within the Annual Environment Public Health Performance Report and Environment Report reflect Melbourne Water’s Report 1999/2000. However, some aspects may need more coverage within the report to ensure complete commitment to fully integrated management and reporting of its operations. demonstration of Melbourne Water’s performance. • The report lacks a clear definition of what Melbourne Water considers are its significant environmental impacts or a well-defined correlation with the information that is reported.

General Findings and Recommendations

The following recommendations are made as a result of the verification process: Verification Scope • Melbourne Water strives to report its performance to its stakeholders in an open and honest manner. SMEC was commissioned to: This practice should continue. A separate audit report was provided by SMEC with recommendations • review the report for any major anomalies; on site-level observations and improvements in measurement and reporting programs. • examine Melbourne Water’s monitoring and reporting procedures, background documentation and data • It is recommended that Melbourne Water gradually move its focus towards integrating objectives within collection procedures; its Financial, Environmental and Public Health outcome areas towards triple bottom line accounting • execute an audit trail of selected data streams to determine the accuracy in the collection, transcription and and reporting. aggregation processes. This included conducting interviews with appropriate Melbourne Water staff • Key outcomes of external reporting include transparency, multi-way stakeholder dialogue and members and a broad desktop review of the data management processes; and accountability. The Melbourne Water report reflects these characteristics and is strong in accountability. • conduct a desktop review of Melbourne Water’s environmental aspects and impacts register to ensure that Room exists for improvement to show more interactions with stakeholders and the link between the Environment Report 1999/2000 addresses the significant aspects of Melbourne Water’s operations. stakeholder dialogue and governance could also be strengthened.

Data Verification

The data verification process involved assessing the accuracy of the data contained within the Annual

Environment Report 1999/2000 through a broad review of randomly selected data sets, focusing on the data Terence Jeyaretnam collection, transcription and aggregation processes. The data verification process has identified the following: Manager – Environment, SMEC Victoria • A high level of accuracy in data presented within the report. However, there were a small number of Accredited Environmental Auditor (EPA Victoria) anomalies that were attributed to human transcription errors or misinterpretation of data during the report Senior Environmental Auditor (QSA) writing stage. These were addressed in the final version of the report. Date: 25th August 2000 • Each of the data trails selected was easily identifiable and traceable. The personnel responsible for data collection and reporting processes demonstrated reliably the origins, aggregation trails and transcription processes of data.

Overall SMEC is satisfied that: • Melbourne Water’s Annual Environment Report 1999/2000 is a fair and honest representation of the organisation’s policies, management systems and performance; • Adequate resources are being allocated to ensure a high level of consistency and accuracy in performance measurement and reporting programs at Melbourne Water; • The numerical data in the report are valid and accurate; and • The written statements made in the report are an accurate reflection of the monitoring results and progress achieved during the reporting period.

60 61 Glossary Feedback Form

Algae Large group of non-flowering "plant like" organisms, many microscopic, Melbourne Water 1999/2000 Environment Report generally containing chlorophyll. Most algae are aquatic. Please fill in the following form and fax it to (03) 9235 7177 or mail it to: Algal bloom Microalgae occurring in dense numbers in a water body, as a result of Corporate and Community Relations, Melbourne Water, PO Box 4342, Melbourne Victoria 3001 favourable conditions (i.e. nutrient enrichment). Bacteria Single celled microscopic organisms. Your name (optional) ______

Biosolids Treated and stabilised sewage sludge; may be in semi-liquid or dried form. Your address (optional) ______BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand. A measure of the amount of oxygen ______required by bacteria and other microorganisms engaged in breaking down organic matter. Your organisation (if any) ______Chlorination The addition of chlorine to water for the purpose of purification. Your position (optional) ______Coliforms Bacterial organisms that predominantly inhabit the intestine of humans and Report content animals. They are used as indicators of faecal contamination. The report had: Coprostanol The most common faecal sterol produced in the digestive tract of humans by microbial hydrogenation of cholesterol. Too much detail

Detection limit Minimum level of quantification for a particular analytical method. The right amount of detail Dioxins, furans Toxic compounds, which are byproducts of the manufacturing process of Not enough detail herbicides and disinfectants, but also derived from other industrial processes. The report covered Melbourne Water’s performance on its environmental responsibilities in a way that was: Environmental flow The minimum designated flow in a stream or river needed to satisfy Easy to follow specified ecological requirements. Hard to follow Escherichia coli (E.coli) A common bacterium from the intestines of warm-blooded animals

including humans. Used as an indicator of faecal contamination. The design of the report made it: Extreme wet weather Rainfall events that exceed the heaviest rain that could be expected to Easy to read occur in a five-year period. Hard to read Faecal coliforms Thermotolerant coliform organisms mainly indicating faecal pollution of a water supply. Suggestions Megalitre One million litres. Is there anything missing from the report? Pathogens Disease-causing organisms including bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Yes pH The negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration; an index of acidity or alkalinity. No Protozoa Small single-celled animals. If you answered yes, please explain what additional information you would like to see in next year’s report: Sewage Strictly speaking household waste but loosely applied to any waste sent to a treatment plant. Sewage sludge Solid material separated from sewage during processing; remains as a semi-liquid product until further dewatering/drying is undertaken. Suspended solids Particles suspended in water. Melbourne Water could improve its reporting on environmental issues and responsibilities by: Treated effluent Water discharged after processing of sewage at a treatment plant. Turbidity A measure of the light scattering property of water due to the presence of fine suspended matter. Ultra-violet radiation Ultra-violet light used for the disinfection of water. Wet weather Rainfall events that are more frequent and less severe than extreme wet weather events. Thank you for your time in completing this form. 62 63