Water efficiency and demand analysis

Developing water efficiency and demand management strategies, improving demand forecasting, and creating end-use analysis models to assist water utilities and state governments to develop their water efficiency programs.

During the Millennium Drought, water utilities and government agencies directed extensive resources towards water efficiency programs across Australia. Many opportunities still remain untapped in terms of coverage and – crucially – that future water efficiency can take advantage of next-generation technologies. ISF’s analysis of water efficiency program implementation across Australia identified a wide variety of uptake across both programs and organisations. At the same time, appliances and fixtures have continued to become more efficient. While the market will naturally drive some change, it is focused in areas of new housing and higher socio-economics, where renovations and replacement happen.

ISF’s knowledge and experience spanning the full range of demand management and water conservation activities place us in a unique position to assist our clients. We help clients to design programs that maximise water conservation outcomes by assessing the impact of past water conservation efforts in the context of local factors and recent technological changes. We understand that every location is different, and our ability to interrogate data and engage with stakeholders ensures that the programs and analyses we undertake are designed to the specific needs of our clients and partners. Partnering with Australia’s major urban water utilities and many regional centres on water planning and the development of innovative water efficiency programs led to the production of the ground-breaking Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Framework and Guide to Demand Management.

Our services broadly cover:

Data analysis and evaluation

ISF has the key technical skills to manage and extract information from a variety of datasets, whether they be large, small, comprehensive or incomplete. This includes modelling in Excel, Python and R using machine learning methods, end-use modelling or stochastic simulation. We provide visually compelling and engaging representations of the data that underpinned recommendations help engage key stakeholders. Our researchers have used statistical methods to evaluate water savings from efficiency programs and water demand forecasting.

Demand forecasting

The Integrated Supply-Demand Planning (iSDP) model is an integral part of the IRP framework. The urban water planning tool forecasts demand based on sector (residential, commercial or industrial) and on end-use (e.g. showering and toilet flushing).

The tool also facilitates the detailed design of demand-management options and provides a means of analysing and ranking portfolios of supply- and demand-side options to support decision-making.

Our researchers have evaluated the demand forecasting models for Water Corporation (WA), Hunter Water (NSW), Central Coast Council (NSW), and applied climate correction regression analysis to determine changes in demand without the influence of external factors.

Policy reviews

ISF has been actively engaged in policy reviews for state governments across Australia supporting water efficiency strategy development. Recently, ISF helped to develop the NSW Water Efficiency Framework, and reviewed NSW BASIX water, and the minimum standards for water efficiency fixtures and appliances in Victoria.

Digital water futures and next-generation water efficiency

ISF embraces new smart technology to boost a data-driven approach to resource use and waste reduction. Converting data into information is key to understanding the demand and supply opportunities to achieve fully integrated water systems.

International work

Benchmarking Demand Management (Canal Isabel II, Madrid, Spain)
Integrated Supply Demand Study (Centre for Development and Environment in the Arab Region and EU SWITCH, Alexandria, Egypt)
Water resources and groundwater planning, Salalah (Sultanate of Oman)
Demand management and water conservation technical support (The Water Authority of Fiji)

Projects

PROJECT | 2024-2025

Hot water pathways for social housing

Housing providers need clearer guidance to make hot water systems more efficient and flexible.

PROJECT | 2022-2023

Water efficiency program outlines for Melbourne water businesses

Improving water efficiency is in many cases the most cost-effective integrated water management option available. The Institute for Sustainable Futures (UTS-ISF) and BMT partnered with Greater Western Water, Melbourne Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water (the Melbourne water businesses) to develop a suite of water efficiency program outlines

PROJECT | 2021-2022

NSW Water Efficiency Framework

ISF develops a comprehensive best practice water efficiency framework for the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

A person in a pink shirt turning on a tap with water coming out

PROJECT | 2021

Analysis of increasing water efficiency standards

ISF investigated the costs and benefits of increasing water efficiency standards in homes in Victoria via a range of regulatory mechanisms.

A methodology diagram for a water calculator process

PROJECT | 2020-2021

The Systems Water Efficiency Estimation Tool (SWEET)

ISF in collaboration with DPIE has developed a robust and replicable water savings assessment methodology and designed a water savings calculator tool.

NEWS | FEB 2021

Making water more efficient for our schools

The Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP) was established in Victoria to save water and energy in schools, as well as educate current and future generations about the importance of the efficient use of these resources to achieve a more sustainable environment.

PROJECT | 2020

Local water utility water efficiency calculator

ISF designed a robust and user-friendly water savings calculator tool to assess water savings, prioritise options and suggest preliminary water conversation programs for individual town water supply systems.

Client: NSW DPIE

PROJECT | 2020

Murray-Darling Basin water efficiency program: water savings opportunities summary report

ISF was engaged by the ACT government to help develop a water savings program for Canberra. The program will be part of the territory’s contribution to the Murray-Darling Basin water efficiency program.

ISF drew together water savings opportunities from various consultants’ reports to produce a common options cost-and-benefit assessment framework to support the Canberra program business case. We reviewed how the water conservation options will have different impacts on the net water take from the Murray-Darling Basin.

This project considered the difference in overall water savings, as well as water savings that would contribute to the ACT’s sustainable diversion limit. As with many of our water conservation projects, this project required the development of water conservation supply curves, which prioritise options on net cost effectiveness and demonstrate the cumulative range of savings that can be achieved under a given unit cost.

Clients: Environmental Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, ACT Government

PROJECT | 2019

Real Options Assessment for adaptive drought response

ISF developed a bespoke planning tool to help a major water utility prepare for future drought conditions.

PROJECT | 2018

Water efficiency labelling and standards

Do those stickers on our whitegoods really help to reduce household environmental impact? ISF sought to find out.

PROJECT | 2018

Water efficiency strategy

This project was a critical input into Central Highlands Water’s revised Water Conservation Strategy. It involved a review of existing and past programs, identifying relevant programs from other jurisdictions that could be adapted to the Central Highlands Water context, and recommending priorities for implementation.

ISF facilitated a workshop with key Central Highlands Water staff to understand their challenges and to identify possible future conservation programs. The outcome of the workshop, together with ISF insights, were captured in a water efficiency strategy for Central Highlands Water, which outline the expected water savings and associated costs. The output was produced to aid in discussion of the trade-offs between water savings, costs and implementability.

Client: CHW

PROJECT | 2017

Government water use review

ISF was engaged by PwC to review the Northern Territory Government’s water demand and identify opportunities for water efficiency and financial savings. Using a variety of data analysis and statistical techniques in conjunction with a review of programs from other jurisdictions, a range of targeted programs were recommended to save water and money.

Client: PWC

PROJECT | 2010

Integrated Supply and Demand Planning Model (iSDP)

A user-friendly digital tool and updated resources make it easier for water industry decision-makers to plan for the future.

NSW Water Efficiency Framework (2022)
Assessment of Future Water Efficiency Measures Final Report (2017) (Report)

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