Sustainable development

 

Sustainable development is an essential part of Veolia Water's business - to create and implement sustainable solutions in water management which includes conserving existing water resources and exploring alternative sources.

In Australia, these solutions include some of the country's most significant water infrastructure projects to help secure a drought-proof water supply such as the Sydney Desalination Plant in New South Wales, the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project in Queensland, the South East Queensland Desalination Plant and the Glenelg to Adelaide Parklands Project in South Australia.

Veolia Water's approach to sustainable development also follows the Veolia Environnement Sustainable Development Charter.

This approach includes fostering and supporting sustainable outcomes not only for the company but for clients and local communities. Veolia Water's objectives in this area include:

  • Providing a range of water solutions to meet evolving community needs
  • Reducing the company's environmental impacts through efficiency, research and innovation
  • Contributing to the communities where Veolia Water operates

Each year, Veolia Water produces a local Sustainable Development Report as part of Veolia Environnement in Australia and New Zealand.

The Veolia Environnement Foundation

Created in May 2004, the Veolia Environnement Foundation supports non-profit, community-oriented projects that contribute to sustainable development.

The Veolia Environnement Foundation has supported more than 700 projects with a special focus on outreach, workforce development and the environment.

Internal leadership groups

Veolia Water has also established a sustainability leadership group, with key staff members from across the business working together to improve the company's sustainable development performance by targeting specific areas for action. Some of these areas include energy usage, waste minimisation at a plant level, greenhouse gas emissions management and improving community partnerships.

Making sustainable development part of everyday business

The sustainable development performance of Veolia Water operations is further kept in-check through ongoing sustainable development assessments, which are part of Veolia Water Asia Pacific's strategy to fully integrate sustainable development in its everyday operations.

The first assessment was carried out in 2008 at the Illawarra and Woronora Water Treatment Plants and at the Gerringong Gerroa Sewerage Scheme in New South Wales, all operated by Veolia Water.

The assessment found the operations were performing well in key areas of sustainable development, including high levels of client satisfaction, strong environmental performance, effective management and high quality outputs.