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Water Efficiency Management Plans

Water Efficiency Management Plans (WEMPs) are designed to help businesses and other non-residential water users assess and manage water consumption on the premises and identify where water savings, and thus financial savings, can be made.

Water efficiency is the new ‘business as usual practice' and is being woven into the daily operations of all businesses, industry and community sectors. Under Level 5 Water Restrictions, large water users have specific obligations that must be fulfilled within a given timeframe.

Further, under the Water Act 2000 and the Wild Rivers and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2006, non-residential water users now have long terms reporting obligations with respect to their WEMPs. Generally, this means WEMP holders must report annually on their WEMP compliance, savings and achievements and review their plans every five years.

While specific water restrictions stipulate various water efficiency measures that must be addressed by non-residential water users, Ipswich Water encourages all non-residential customers to complete a ‘whole of business' audit and address water conservation where appropriate.

To download a copy of our WEMP Fact Sheet and WEMP Fee Schedule, click here.

Do I need to complete a WEMP?

	Part 1A	Part 1B	Part 2	Part 3 *	Part 4
> 20 ML / YR
10 - 20 ML / YR
1 - 10 ML / YR		◊
< 1 ML / YR		◊

* Ipswich Water tailored templates have been developed

◊ Please refer to Part 11.2 of the QWC Level 5 Water Restrictions

1A	Taps, shower heads and trigger sprays
1B	Toilets and urinals
2	Evaporative cooling towers
3	Outdoor water use (including active playing surfaces; nurseries, turf farms and market gardens; vehicle washing; land development, sub-divisional activities; and outdoor public swimming pools)
4	Process and other water uses (manufacturing, industrial processes)

How to use these tables

The above ticks indicate potential WEMP components that may be applicable to given customers - if the nominated WEMP is not applicable to your activities, you do not have to submit it. Non-residential water users may fall into one or multiple restriction categories, and must ensure compliance with all, noting relevant deadlines.

WEMPs must be completed alongside compliance with other general non-residential water restrictions (i.e. all premises with urinals, must install ‘water efficient urinal systems' by 30 September 2007 as per restriction N3A).

How do I know which consumption category I fall into?

10 - 20 ML / year
> 20 ML / year	The actual metered water consumption for the period of 2005/06 financial year; The actual metered water consumption based on the most recent four quarterly rating periods or the last 12 month rating period (as applicable); or The estimated annual consumption for the premises based on an extrapolation of the water consumption as set out in the available quarterly rating periods.
1 - 10 ML / year

What if I have an existing WEMP?

Water efficiency management plans lodged under previous levels of water restrictions may need to be updated to reflect Level 5 restriction requirements.

If the specific business or activity is required to undertake further water saving measures, the Water Efficiency Management Plan may have to be resubmitted to satisfy Level 5 Water Restriction conditions.

Approved WEMP signage

Some premises will require the display of approved WEMP signage at their premises in order to comply with Level 5 Water Restrictions (other premises may want to optionally display such signage).

Once your WEMP is approved by Ipswich Water and you receive your WEMP certificate, you may need to purchase a WEMP sign.

For more information on purchasing an approved WEMP sign, contact us.

Last Updated 16 Oct 2007 |

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