Lower Murray Water (LMW) depends on its water supply from the Murray Darling Basin, and consequently, was an interested stakeholder in the modelling undertaken by Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to predict climate change scenarios for the Murray Darling Basin. Results from the modelling demonstrated that if there is a global continuation of operating ‘business as usual’, with no explicit efforts to reduce emissions of CO2, then LMW ’s region is exposed to risks of increased temperatures and reduced rainfall.

Climate is a fundamental driver of the water cycle. It determines how much water is available (supply) and how much water is needed (demand). The modeling by CSIRO illustrates that the water industry is highly vulnerable to climate change.

The work by CSIRO identifies the need for LMW to take action in mitigating the contribution of greenhouse gas emissions through its activities.

LMW’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for 2006/07 was 28,219.50 t CO2-e.

Inventory of GHG emissions* produced from LMW activities :

_ Transport 600.05 t CO2-e

_ Water Treatment and Supply 21,882.00 t CO2-e

_ Sewerage Treatment and Supply 7,246.1 t CO2-e

*Total GHG emissions, expressed as an equivalent of Tonnes of CO2

This is a breakdown of LMW’s operational energy use; that is the energy consumed in the day to day operations, for example water and sewage pumping and treatment, vehicle emissions, heating/cooling buildings etc. LMW also expends energy through the embodied energy in products they purchase. Embodied energy is all the energy invested in manufacturing a product, for example energy used for extracting the raw materials, transport, assemblage and installation. LMW plans to address this expenditure of energy through its subscription to EcoBuy; an organisation that helps companies to purchase ‘green products’. The Corporation plans to draw upon EcoBuy’s expertise in selecting products that have reduced embodied energy relative to similar products on the market.

LMW was successful in receiving funding from Sustainability Victoria to engage a consultant to identify opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissionswith a focus on increasing energy efficiency. The consultant visited a sample of sites over two days, speaking to staff and viewing operations. A report was generated which provided a suite of energy efficiency recommendations, this was used as the basis for generating discussion on future energy efficient projects. An Action Plan has been produced following this survey which details the energy efficiency projects the Authority aims to undertake in the

next regulatory period.

A scoping report was also produced, which examined the purchase of Green Power (electricity generated from renewable energy sources). This was viewed by management, customer committees and the Board. It was agreed that the Authority purchase $313,000 worth of renewable energy for urban operations each year of the next regulatory period. Based on today’s prices for Green Power, net effect of this will be to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12,000 t CO2e, and is equivalent to 2,760 cars being taken

off the road.

Baseline data is required in order to effectively manage LMW's GHG Emissions. This is currently being worked upon with the hope that it can be used to drive change and thus reduce LMW's operation's GHG Emissions.