WSAA has put together a comprehensive framework to achieve a nature positive future.
In August 2024, WSAA released Nature Positive Water, a paper showcasing nature positive opportunities for water utilities, which provides guidance on reporting and measuring nature positive initiatives. With nature loss impacting our economy and society, understanding these risks and opportunities is essential for ensuring resilient infrastructure and services for our communities and future generations.
To achieve a nature positive future, it is essential to recognise the interconnectedness of climate, nature and the circular economy. Addressing the complex challenges of our future requires a systematic and balanced approach across these three areas. Water, as a critical element linking all three, must play a significant role in implementing and leading nature positive actions.
The following five focus were used in the case studies and the paper to frame the key enablers and drivers that supported the implementation of nature positive water:
- Resilient water supplies and water conservation
- Efficient and effective treatment reducing water pollution
- Achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions
- Regeneration to restore balance with nature
- Systems transition and partnerships
The 24 case studies cover locations from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and across the water sector (e.g. companies, utilities and government) and include:
Impacts and dependencies on nature
- Understanding nature’s impacts and dependencies – Yarra Valley Water
Resilient water supplies
- Purified Recycled Water Discovery Centre – Sydney Water
- Removal of disused water infrastructure and reconnecting headwaters of Yarram Creek – Barwon Water
- Healing County with Water Returns to Traditional Owners –Victorian Government
- That’s My Water! Bush Schools – Power and Water
Efficient and effective treatment
- Achieving net zero nutrients – Unitywater
- Enhancing drainage systems and mitigating pollution- drainage freshwater mussel research and demonstration – Water Corporation
- Floating wetland pilot project – Westernport Water
- Floating wetland trial to extend the life of built wastewater assets – TasWater
Achieving net zero
- Nitrous oxide trials and scenario testing – Watercare
- Global collaboration towards net zero emissions – Melbourne water collab
- Demands for carbon offsets with benefits for biodiversity – Victorian water corporations
Regeneration to restore balance
- Regenerating waterways and reconnecting local water cycles – WaterNSW
- Protecting catchment health and restoring threatened habitat – SA Water
- Bush Regeneration at Fosters Spur – Rous County Council
- Restoring land and enhancing biodiversity – Icon Water
- Restoring flows for the platypus in Monbulk Creek – Melbourne Water and South East Water
- Drought-proof koala habitat – Urban Utilities
- Restoring habitat for critically endangered species and cultural values – Yarra Valley Water
- Reef guardian councils – Cairns Regional Council
- Thrive 2035 net clearing objective – Water Corporation
Systems transition
- Circular economy roadmap and toolkit – Wannon Water
- Greening using sustainability bonds – New South Wales Government
- Establishing Water Funds as a collective action structures to investment for impact – The Nature Conservancy
The paper also includes the development of recommended actions for the water sector and governments that aim to support water utilities in better achieving nature positive water.
WSAA expects that the water sector will use the lessons and key recommendations from the case studies to refine their nature positive approaches.
The report and case studies are available on wsaa.asn.au
