Integrated Water Management: Does it Stack Up? Lessons from a review of 15 IWM studies undertaken in Melbourne, Australia

This paper summarises the key insights gained through a review by GHD for Melbourne Water of fifteen integrated water management (IWM) plans and investigations undertaken by the Melbourne water industry between 2011 and 2015. The studies were undertaken by Melbourne Water in collaboration with metropolitan and regional retail water businesses, relevant state government departments and agencies and local government. This work tested the benefits and costs of IWM approaches over the long term at a city, regional and local scale, and ultimately serves as a test of the applicability and potential of IWM for Greater Melbourne to the year 2050. The lessons learned from this review of IWM studies in Melbourne, Australia have broad applicability internationally as cities explore alternative water sources and IWM approaches in response to challenges such as population growth and climate change. The IWM studies and the insights, findings and recommendations from the review are discussed.