GWMWater is on track to reach net-zero by 2035.
Net-zero is the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere, therefore ‘zero-ing’ each other out.
To help us achieve net-zero, we will source 100% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2025. Electricity is an important part of maintaining our water and sewer services across our vast service region. We use electricity for things like operating water pump stations, water treatment processes and running our offices. Finding ways we can invest in renewable energy is a key step on our path to net-zero.
We make sure our energy investments are cost-neutral so the money we spend does not increase customer water bills.
Our current key initiatives are to:
• Construct the Nhill Renewable Energy Facility. Read more about the project here.
• Complete the Donald community energy feasibility assessment.
• Continue implementing behind-the-meter solar generation and battery storage. So far, we have installed 2.3 MW of solar across 59 of our offices, pump stations and treatment facilities.
• Investigate tree planting as an option to offset our greenhouse gas emissions, as well as purchasing carbon offsets from the market.
• Develop a plan to move to a zero-emissions vehicle fleet.
Our current greenhouse gas emissions (as of 2023/2024):
1. 75% from grid electricity use (Scope 2 emissions**)
2. 19% from wastewater fugitive emissions (Scope 1 emissions*)
3. 6% from fleet emissions (Scope 1 emissions)
*Scope 1 emissions are greenhouse gas emissions that occur from sources that are directly controlled/owned by GWMWater. For example, natural processes that occur during the treatment of wastewater, as well as our fleet vehicles, are Scope 1 emissions.
**Scope 2 emissions are emissions that occur indirectly due to GWMWater’s purchase of electricity from the grid.
For more information:
GWMWater Clean Energy Strategy (3.49 MB)
