Procedure - Energy and Water Conservation

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Purpose
1.	Definitions
2.	General
3.	Specific requirements
4.	Offenders use of water
5.	Water audits
6.	Water measurement and monitoring
7.	Maintenance of measurement and monitoring plan
8.	Water conservation plan
9.	Energy Conservation Plan

Purpose

To reduce water consumption within a corrective services facility, in line with community expectations and in accordance with the Water Act 2000. Water conservation initiatives contribute to the preservation of this natural resource to ensure availability for future generations.

To reduce energy consumption within a corrective services facility, in line with community expectations and the Strategic Energy Efficiency Policy (SEEP). Our objectives are-

1. to improve asset value and reduce operating costs whilst ensuring focus on sustainablility in facility design, renovation and construction; and
2. to install renewable systems and procure renewable source energy and to provide education.

1. Definitions

Energy Conservation refers to the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used.

It can be achieved through efficient energy use and the implementation of Energy Performance Contracts at facilities, therefore decreasing consumption. Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) uses energy in the form of electricity and gas at all facilities.

Potable water is water that is drawn from the mains supply public water system. This water is used for human consumption and for utility purposes (for example: for showering, toilet flushing, ordinary laundry, cleaning up in food services, landscaping and irrigation).

Significant amounts of potable water are used for utility purposes in a few facilities (for example: farm irrigation, composting and water-intensive industries such as a commercial laundry).

Water Conservation refers to the practice of reducing the quantity of water used.

2. General

The Agency must promote effective, responsible management of water and energy within the corrective services environment by reducing consumption, identifying potential wastage and installing water and energy-saving devices.

The general manager of a corrective services facility must implement a system to educate offenders on the use of water and energy and the measurement and monitoring of consumption in a corrective services facility. The system must make it possible to -

1. gather, record and save reliable and auditable data on water consumption and complete monthly reports to assist Facilities Management Branch in its mandatory quarterly reporting to the Queensland Water Commission (QWC);
2. adhere to the mandatory guidelines, outlined within the water efficiency management plan (WEMP);
3. monitor on an on-going basis the results of the Agency's conservation efforts; and
4. maintain the Government's credibility in terms of water and energy conservation across all government agencies.

The six SEQ facilities required to comply with the conditions of a WEMP must establish and adhere to procedures and mandatory reporting guidelines set out by the QWC, relevant councils and Facilities Management Branch.

For all other facilities, the general manager of that facility must establish mechanisms and procedures, including the development of a local procedure, to enable the measurement and conservation of water that is appropriate and consistent with the location of the corrective services facility and its relevant council.

QCS' core business can benefit significantly by moving towards best energy management practices. It can reduce costs, increase profitability and improve on performance through effective production, operation, maintenance and addressing environmental issues. A detailed Strategic Energy Management Plan (in-confidence) (SEMP) has been created to show recent and future energy saving measures by the Agency.

3. Specific requirements

The general manager must consult with the Facilities Management Branch regarding water audits, water measurement and monitoring and a water conservation plan.

The general manager of a facility with a WEMP must nominate a person to-

1. consult with the Facilities Management Branch; and
2. report monthly on water consumption and issues in order to complete quarterly reports mandated and agreed by the QWC and relevant councils.

4. Offenders use of water

Offenders must be provided with information on the use of potable water in corrective services facilities and encouraged to comply with water restrictions in line with appendix - Guidelines for Potable Water Use. Staff must monitor and supervise offender compliance with appendix - Guidelines for Potable Water Use.

5. Water audits

A water efficiency audit is an integral component of a WEMP. A water audit is required for all sites that use >10ML or more per year (as required by WG-1 WEMP Guideline).

Water audits should be conducted by a Water Efficiency Assessor or a professional with qualifications relevant to and experienced in water auditing of premises of a similar nature to the business activities being audited and after consultation with Facilities Management Branch.

For the facilities not currently on a WEMP the general manager must clarify and formalise the facility's water systems that use large quantities of potable water. For example -

1. the general manager has responsibility for the facilities principal potable water supply and distribution system (refer appendix - Guidelines for Potable Water Use - (1) Conducting A Water Audit);
2. industries managers have responsibility for particular utility water supply, distribution systems and commercial laundries (refer appendix - Guidelines for Potable Water Use - (2) Cleaning Practices and (4) Commercial Washing Machines); and
3. accommodation managers are responsible for accommodation areas (refer appendix - Guidelines for Potable Water Use - (3) Staff Amenities).

6. Water measurement and monitoring

Under Section 360ZCF of the Water Act 2000 and the Notice of Procedures Non-Residential High Volume Water Users Compliance Program, a quarterly and annual report of compliance must be submitted to the Water Service Provider.

To avoid penalties and fines to the Agency, facilities under a WEMP must continue to monitor, measure and report to Facility Management Branch to facilitate the quarterly and annual reports to the relevant councils.

7. Maintenance of measurement and monitoring plan

The maintenance phase includes continued notification to the Facilities Management Branch who liaise directly with external service providers for recording and monitoring of all facilities' water, gas and electricity consumption-

1. analysing monthly water consumption data and comparing the facility's total water use for the current fiscal year with that of the comparable period of the benchmark year 2004-2005;
2. setting targets for or forecasts of water use at each measurement point and to demonstrate a 25% reduction or best practices in water consumption;
3. investigating significant over-consumption (for example, a burst water main would require notification to the local council); and
4. making repairs or promoting changes in water use practices.

8. Water conservation plan

The facilities currently under a WEMP have an existing Water conservation plan in place. For all other facilities, the general manager should review, on an annual basis, all potable water use practices at the relevant corrective services facility with a view to planning, recommending or implementing improvements, such as-

1. replacing heat exchangers in refrigeration apparatus and other devices that use potable water for cooling;
2. installing low-flow toilets, faucets and showers; and
3. placing timers on faucets.

Managers of utility water systems and operations that use potable water for utility purposes must follow practices similar to those above for measuring and managing its use (refer WG-1 WEMP Guideline).

All new systems, devices and equipment that require a cooling medium in order to operate should, to the extent possible, use air for that purpose as opposed to non-recirculated potable water.

9. Energy Conservation Plan

Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) will be introduced to assist in the net reduction of energy consumption at all facilities and the level of greenhouse gas emissions linked to these reductions. Utilising EPCs allow exposure to ideas that produce an overall reduction of energy by using latest technology in retrofitting energy consuming devices, which is preferable to considering each individual energy use (lighting, air conditioning etc) separately.

KELVIN ANDERSON
Associate Director-General

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