August issue

With the twin pressures of climate change and dwindling water supplies, innovative approaches to water management are crucial. Our feature article delves into how advanced wastewater treatment methods are being used to convert wastewater into potable water, showcasing a promising solution that could help address water scarcity issues globally.

We also chat with David Whitting , Head of Growth at Altogether, about his journey in sustainable development and the future of water and energy management. Plus, don’t miss our "Spring Energy and Water Saving Tips" for strata managers, with practical steps to boost sustainability and efficiency in your buildings.

Dive in to learn more!

Turning wastewater into drinking water

In the face of escalating climate challenges and increasing water scarcity, it’s essential to consider innovative solutions to these problems. One of the most promising approaches currently making waves across the globe is the conversion of wastewater into potable drinking water. In the United States, water engineers devised a creative solution to combat California’s water shortage, transforming unlikely resources — such as treated sewage in Southern California’s Orange County — into water that exceeds state and federal drinking water standards.

But it’s not just the United States leading the charge; Singapore too is a global leader in this space. Being one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, cleaning and purifying its wastewater to become drinkable has been crucial for topping up drinking water reservoirs which can evaporate during Singapore’s dry season. Parts of Australia have also implemented similar practices.

But how does this all work?

The evolution of wastewater treatment

Typically, wastewater is first diverted to rivers, lakes, and oceans before being treated to become safe to drink. This indirect method, while effective, is time-consuming. By directly treating wastewater to potable standards and bypassing the intermediate step of discharging it into natural bodies of water, the process is significantly accelerated. This offers drought-prone states and countries a viable solution to minimise the increasing water restrictions that are needed to keep up with growing demand and soaring summer temperatures.?

In Alberta, Canada for example, this direct treatment method could be transformative as its population continues to surge and more severe, and frequent droughts are being forecasted for the future. It could lessen the pressure on existing water supplies. With similar challenges predicted for Australia, exploring how this technology could be adapted in the future is essential in addressing water security. First and foremost, though, is that should this process be implemented in Australia, rigorous government-led regulatory frameworks would have to be developed over many years to ensure the process is safe and well-considered.

Under current legislation, New South Wales does not allow the use of recycled water for drinking water. Should this ever change, Altogether would consult with our communities along with regulatory bodies like IPART, the Department of Health, and organisations like the Australian Water Association to develop a robust and compliant system to protect consumers. There is an extensive path to approval for taking such measures, including governments changing drinking water guidelines and publishing new standards with their own individual approval paths.

The future of water sustainability in Australia

Western Australia has begun to implement this approach after careful consideration and exhaustive testing. Otherwise known as groundwater replenishment, treated wastewater is purified at an Advanced Water Recycling Plant (AWRP) and then pumped underground. This purified water is then stored in deep groundwater aquifers, providing additional natural filtration of the water until needed. The Water Corporation’s groundwater replenishment scheme located in Craigie, in Perth’s northern suburbs, was the first of its kind in Australia, and among the first in the world to replenish groundwater supplies in this way.

Groundwater replenishment is a sustainable solution that doesn’t rely on rainfall, making it especially valuable in regions that experience prolonged droughts. Currently, this process accounts for 5% of WA’s Integrated Water Supply Scheme. The potential for expansion is significant, especially given the successful completion of the second stage of the scheme in 2022, which doubled the AWRP’s treatment capacity from 14 billion litres to 28 billion litres per year. It’s important to note that, as with any environmental related solution, it requires the correct conditions and approvals to be implemented.

At Altogether we are continuously looking for opportunities to improve the communities we serve, so we consulted our water team to talk about how managing our resources more effectively is helping minimise environmental impacts now and into the future.?

Altogether’s contribution to water sustainability ?

“All water is recycled in nature. Altogether expedites the process and returns this water for use within the community itself, reducing demand on fresh water sources like Warragamba Dam. This process also saves energy by reducing the transfer of water of great distances, and it keeps work within the local community. Unlike many materials, there is no limit to the number of times water can be recycled, it is still water.” said Douglas F. , Executive General Manager, Water, at Altogether.?

“Water from bathrooms, toilets, laundries, and kitchens is piped to the local water centre, where it undergoes a seven-step purification process and returned to homes, offices, and shops through purple recycled water pipes. Using this recycled water for flushing toilets, washing machines, and irrigation reduces drinking water use by up to 70% in our water communities, saving precious drinking water supplies.”

During the drought that Australia faced in 2019, recycled water was not subject to water restrictions, providing Altogether’s community households with a safe and secure water supply to wash their cars or water their gardens all year round, and building resilience throughout the community and the wider area. All recycled water is treated to meet the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling 2006 and is monitored and tested regularly.

Access to recycled water means those homes are better equipped to handle water restrictions and shortages, and minimises environmental impact,” said Mr Fagerstrom.

Looking ahead

Altogether sees the potential of this technology to transform water management in Australia. A sustainable future is not just about innovation – it’s about action. By adopting and expanding groundwater replenishment or treating wastewater, Australia could reduce the impact of droughts and ensure a reliable water supply for generations to come.

However, there are plenty of steps to take before this. Educating communities on the environmental benefits of recycled water to encourage more consistent use for approved purposes can be implemented now to make a change now for the better of our future.

Should the NSW Govt approve the use of recycled water for drinking with further treatment in the future, Altogether would engage with our individual communities to bring this opportunity to life for them.

Join us in championing these solutions and be part of the movement towards a more sustainable future. Visit our website to learn more about projects that are paving the way for a water-secure world.

Bridging sustainability and growth: 5 minutes with David Whitting

Meet David Whitting , who has been leading the Growth team at Altogether for over a year, after being with the company for almost five years. From his beginnings as a land surveyor in Australia to managing large-scale property developments in Dubai and Myanmar, David brings a wealth of knowledge and a global perspective to his role.?

We sat down with David and chatted about his interest in development, the responsibilities of his current role, and how his diverse background has shaped his approach to creating sustainable communities.

Q: David, you have been working as Altogether’s Head of Growth for the last year or so. What does that job entail and what led you to working at Altogether?

A: The Head of Growth role is all about generating value for the business via both new business relationships and the restructuring of existing ones.? It requires the establishment and maintenance of strong developer partner relationships, and is both a challenging and rewarding role.

I have been a keen observer of the private utility initiative and business model ever since the early days of the Water Factory.? My background in property and business development, combined with a natural interest in sustainability saw an opportunity arise to manage and grow Altogether’s relationships with its business partners.

Q: How have your role and passions contributed to Altogether’s mission of creating sustainable communities?

A: Sustainability is not a marketing tag line, but a way of (business) life.? From alignment of business interests in deal making to the development of innovative solutions to opening the key doors to success, it is ingrained in all the Growth team do.? We are proud to take the road less travelled, and to strive for better outcomes when good enough will not do.

Developers are focussed (understandably) on their bottom line.? Our challenge is to convince them a sustainable outcome improves that metric.? I believe we have demonstrated in the recent deals at The Gables and forthcoming ones on other projects that we are improving both sustainability outcomes and bottom-line results for all stakeholders.?

Q: How does the Growth team deliver on Altogether’s mission and values?

A: Altogether’s mission and values are deeply embedded in everything we do. Many people throw around the word ‘sustainability’ without fully grasping what it means. We recognise that true sustainability means meeting our needs without compromising those of future generations. We work thoughtfully to achieve ‘win-win outcomes’ by structuring mutually beneficial deals that make sense for both parties and deliver sustainable outcomes for the communities we service. We treat problems as opportunities, are always keen to help, and go the extra mile and do it with a smile.

Q: Looking ahead, what developments do you see on the horizon in water and energy industries? And how do you think these opportunities will impact future development projects and efforts to be more sustainable?

A:? Housing affordability remains a key issue.? Altogether has a key role to play in the facilitation of affordable housing stock, and we are becoming increasingly active in engagement with Government on this issue.? Opportunities to integrate multi-utility solutions on new projects will happen as opportunities arise. Imagine as a homeowner receiving one monthly bill for water, wastewater, energy and telco services. We have also started working on something exciting involving the local beneficial reuse of biosolids produced by our wastewater plants. If successful, it will be a huge win for sustainability.

I am optimistic about the future and the legacy we leave for our children, and the role Altogether can play in that.

Q: And finally, where would you send a visitor to Sydney to check out if they were here for the weekend?

A: Hop on a ferry to Manly and stop in at Taronga Zoo on the way back.? Frequent some of the bars and back lane eateries around Sydney and wander the foreshore around the Rocks. No traffic and the scenery is incredible.

Five Spring energy and water saving tips for Strata managers

There are plenty of measures strata building managers can take to enhance the sustainability of apartment buildings. Implementing energy and water-saving measures both reduces operational costs and contributes to environmental conservation.

Here are five effective strategies to help you save resources and practice sustainability:

1.???? Upgrade to LED and sensor lighting?

Up to 60% of energy consumption in large buildings comes from common areas and shared services. Replacing traditional lighting with LED bulbs in common areas such as hallways, stairwells, and lobbies can significantly reduce energy consumption. LED lights are more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan, saving on average 30-60% energy consumption. Additionally, further energy can be saved through installation of motion sensors in less-frequented areas. This ensures that lights are only on when needed, further cutting down on unnecessary energy use.

?2.???? Fix leaky pipes and faucets

?Leaky pipes and faucets can waste a substantial amount of water and increase utility bills. Regular inspections and prompt repairs can prevent water wastage. Implementing water-saving fixtures like low-flow showerheads and toilets can also contribute to reducing overall water consumption.

?3.???? Upgrade to energy-efficient systems

?Consider upgrading your building’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to models with 5-star efficiency rating. Energy-efficient systems consume less energy and can lead to significant savings on utility bills. For instance, installing high-efficiency boilers or heat pumps can be a worthwhile investment.

?4.???? Utilise government incentives

?Take advantage of government schemes designed to support energy efficiency upgrades:

?·?????? NSW Energy Savings Schemes: This program provides financial incentives for improving energy efficiency. It runs until 2050, and businesses and households can earn Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs) for eligible activities, such as upgrading efficient appliances. For more details, visit the NSW Energy Savings Scheme website.

·?????? Queensland Business Energy Saving and Transformation Rebate (QBEST): This rebate helps small to medium-sized Queensland businesses by covering up to 50% of the costs for installing energy-efficient equipment, up to a maximum of $12,500. Round 1 is currently open, check the Queensland Government’s QBEST Rebate page to apply.

?5.???? Conduct regular energy audits

?Regular energy audits help identify areas where energy is being wasted and highlight opportunities for improvements. These audits can provide a roadmap for implementing energy-saving measures and optimising the performance of building systems.

?By adopting these strategies, strata building managers can make significant steps toward a more sustainable future, ensuring both cost saving and environmental benefits.

?Need further assistance?

Please contact our customer service team at Altogether if you need further help or advice.

Join us?

Interested in working more closely with us? View open positions at Altogether.

Upcoming events

7 September – AWA QLD YWP Amazing Race 2024, Brisbane, Qld

9-10 September – Clean Energy Council Australian Wind Industry Summit 2024, Melbourne Vic

11 September – Water Directorate Annual Forum and Networking Event, Sydney NSW

17 September – PCA Members Briefing: Construction Dewatering, Sydney NSW

25-26 September – Australian Renewable Heat Conference 2024, Sydney NSW

3 October – AWA QLD Gala Dinner & Awards 2024, Brisbane, Qld

9 October – ESG in Action: An impactful communication and compliance masterclass, Gold Coast Qld?

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