Links and Resources
This is an edited version of the website that the citizens’ assembly used during the process. All the videos that contain identifiable information has been removed, in accordance to the requirements of the UAHPEC.Cost (energy and $)
Interview on the costs for the Assembly
Abel Immaraj National Water Resource Systems Leader, Aurecon, Brisbane
Abel Immaraj costs interview – Documents
Timestamps –
-
- First 15 mins – introduction and discussion of costs for indirect recycling.
- 15:35 – Multiple sources discussion.
- 16:17 – Rain tanks.
- 18:48 – Incentives and private vs public benefits.
- 22:26 – Water efficiency.
- 26:40 – Multiple options and building sources that are not used.
- 27:34 – Mapping pathways for introducing sources.
– Transcription of the interview
List of useful reports and documents
Relative costs of the 6 options with environmental impacts
Synopsis: A report from the Australian WSAA about the ways to reuse water, as well as tackling options like recycled water as the climate and water needs of society changes.
– Water Services Association of Australia: All Options on the Table. Full report
Assembly members ask: “Do incentives to save water work?”
Question addressed by Robert Keessen:
Assembly members ask: “Is it possible to introduce a subsidy for rainwater barrels? And if not, why not?”
Question addressed by Andrew Chin:
Assembly members ask:
“Can you tell us more about the environmental impacts of desalination?” (00:00)
“Are there ways to mitigate the impact of the brine being returned to the sea?” (2:59)
“Are there any other disposal options for the brine – could it be used for anything?” (05:25)
“What is the energy cost of desalination?” (07:14)
Questions addressed by Chris Povey:
Additional notes about brine discharge for those who want to know more (pdf file)
Rainwater tanks (website link)
Read some perspectives on rainwater tanks from Water NZ
Costs (energy or $)
Q: Please explain energy costs vs ongoing costs
A: They’re largely the same thing. Ongoing/running costs mainly come from energy use, so there is also an emissions ‘cost’ to this.
A: Innovation increasingly helps water companies operate more sustainably/efficiently. Maintenance is also an ongoing cost.
Q: How much do rain tanks cost? (Plumbing, maintenance, etc ). Is this a cost effective option a resident/individual?
A: It depends on whether the tank is plumbed in, and how big it is. If it’s small, it’s cheaper, but also less useful in summer. If well maintained, rain tanks can last up to 20 years.
A: As a large-scale option, costs are high for rain tanks because so many are needed in total to get relatively less water. (compared to large infrastructure options that we all share the cost of in our water bill).
Q: How long do rain tanks last?
A: This will be a function of the quality of the tank itself, the environment it’s used in (submerged in soil, above ground etc) and maintenance etc. Many polyethylene rain tanks have a 20-25yr warranty.
Q: Why is the water efficiency option costly?
A: Water efficiency includes some big costs like renewing pipes (digging up streets, traffic management, resealing the road), installing smart meters, campaigns for behaviour change, greywater systems (need to involve plumbers).
Q: What is the cost of recycling not-for drinking options?
A: The actual cost would depend on the scale of the solution. It would be higher than one large infrastructure option because we would not get the economies of scale from many micro-solutions. If it were a larger option, it would require a second network of pipes.
Q: What about cost of desalination – will it make water more expensive?
A: Desalination is about the same cost to build as option 5 (indirect recycled water for drinking) but more expensive to maintain.
Questions about funding
Q: Where is the money coming from to fund these options? What is the cost to the public?
A: Money only comes from bill payers. The cost to the public is the cost of building and operating these options spread over the whole population of bill payers.
Q: Are there plans to subsidise rain tanks in the future and their maintenance requirements?
A: There are no plans in place for this. If it happened, it would be paid for by Auckland billpayers (a redistribution of income, likely to be from people without gardens to people with gardens)
About Koi Tū
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