An Integrated Water Management future – Australian Case Study

The concept of Integrated Water Management (IWM) is gaining popularity in Australia, even though there is no universal definition. There is a growing recognition that following a severe drought where many utilities have invested heavily, primarily through desalination plants, there is a period of time to thoroughly assess all water resources and their associated benefits in an integrated way. This paper provides a case study of how one utility - South East Water - is addressing this issue. Looking at water issues through an integrated approach requires extensive community and stakeholder engagement. This paper outlines a process for engaging with stakeholders representative of the community to deliver IWM outcomes. It also acknowledges that considerable work has already been undertaken in developing a diverse suite of supply options, which are recognized as providing the basis for developing an IWM future