Division 6Water use efficiencies

## Division 6 Water use efficiencies Division 6 Water use efficiencies | Five year target | Why is it needed? | What are the expected outcomes? | | Target 15 At least 90 percent of approved water management works for the extraction of surface or ground waters (excepting domestic and stock bores) metered and reported in each water source that is subject to a gazetted water sharing plan | • To ensure compliance with water access rules and extraction limits• To provide information on water use efficiency• To enable an effective water market• To protect access rights and environmental provisions | • Assured water supplies to maintain or improve the health and wellbeing of rural and urban communities• Primary ecological production maintained or improved• Diversity and abundance of native aquatic animals and plants protected and restored | | Target 16 Improved and extended water markets through:Target 16a All share components of access licences tradeableTarget 16b Separation of existing water licences (excepting domestic and stock bores) under the Water Act 1912 into water use approvals and water access licences completed for:100 percent of licences in water sources subject to initial round of gazetted water sharing plans50 percent of licences across the remainder of the State.Target 16c Conversion factors and protocols established to facilitate trading and dealings between water sources, whilst also protecting existing access and environmental water.Target 16d Reduced conversion factors only applied when necessary to offset increased losses associated with water supply delivery.Target 16e Any unassigned access rights identified and clear mechanisms established for their future assignmentTarget 16f Zones established where necessary for environmental protection and limits/constraints on water dealings in them made explicitTarget 16g Full public disclosure of access licence dealings and market prices | • To clarify and secure licensed access to water• To ensure an effective and efficient water market• To meet COAG competition requirements• To encourage water to move to higher value uses | • Water use efficiency increased• The economic efficiency of investment in water industries improved | | Target 17 In determining the best environmental and health outcomes for an effluent management scheme, decisions to have considered all practicable options to replace high value water used for urban and industrial purposes with treated effluent | • To reduce wastewater• To encourage higher value use of water• To improve water quality | • Water use efficiency increased• Incidents of problem blue green algal blooms affecting essential water supplies and recreational values reduced | | Target 18 High quality return flows credited against town (local water utility) water access licences where all environmental requirements for a credit are met | • To make higher treatment of effluent cost effective• To improve downstream water quality• To protect low flows and downstream water supplies (RFO 2)• To reduce wastewater | • Water use efficiency increased• The economic efficiency of investment in water industries improved• Incidents of problem blue green algal blooms affecting essential water supplies and recreational values reduced | | Target 19 Country town (local water utility) water consumption to decline by greater than 5 percent per head of population on average statewide, excluding Sydney Water Corporation and the Hunter Water Corporation whose demand management targets are set in their operating licences | • To reduce the impact of growth in town water requirements on the rights of other users• To increase water use efficiency | • Water use efficiency increased• The economic efficiency of investment in water industries improved | | Target 20 Nil or minimal increase in basic domestic and stock rights resulting from rural subdivisions in sensitive or stressed water sources | • To protect groundwater levels and pressures• To protect low flows in rivers (RFO 1, 2)• To protect existing water uses and basic rights | • Primary ecological production maintained or improved• Diversity and abundance of native aquatic animals and plants protected and restored• Assured water supplies to maintain or improve the health and wellbeing of rural and urban communities• Incidents of problem blue green algal blooms affecting essential water supplies and recreational values reduced• The economic efficiency of investment in water industries improved | | Target 21 At least 60 high flowing bores (>5 litres per second) in the NSW Great Artesian Basin capped and piped | • To protect groundwater levels and pressures• To reduce waste water• To encourage higher value use of water• To improve water quality | • Assured water supplies to maintain or improve the health and wellbeing of rural and urban communities• Water use efficiency increased• The economic efficiency of investment in water industries improved |