Sustainable development

We recognise the vital role we play in delivering and sustainably managing water and wastewater services. As part of our commitment to thinking globally and acting locally, we actively support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Stromlo water treatment plant
lower molonglo water quality control centre

Stromlo Water Treatment Plant

Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre

Sustainability is embedded in the way we plan, design and deliver infrastructure to ensure our projects achieve meaningful and lasting benefits:

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Project prioritisation

When prioritising our infrastructure projects, we consider climate, resource and biodiversity risks and opportunities.

By applying these weighted criteria, we ensure our initiatives deliver strong sustainability outcomes and long-term value.

sampling fugitive emissions at LM

Options assessment

We embed sustainability into our infrastructure planning to optimise environmental, social and financial outcomes across the life of our assets.

Our in-house assessment process ensures impacts and opportunities are identified early so they can inform decision-making. 

A sustainability scorecard is integrated into the planning phase of every infrastructure project, helping guide more balanced and responsible outcomes.

Fyshwick STP - blended soil project

Guidelines for design

We are committed to designing, building and operating sustainable assets. 

To support this, we have developed sustainability guidelines that help embed sustainability principles into our projects. These guidelines promote innovation, life-cycle thinking, resource efficiency, and a deep respect for people, place, and planet.

We’re committed to driving innovation in sustainability, and our efforts have been recognised through a range of awards and certifications, including:

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Sustainability awards

  • Australian Water Association (AWA) ACT Water Awards 2022 – Infrastructure Innovation Award for Adaptive planning to enhance Canberra’s preparedness for future droughts.
  • In 2021, our colleague Dr. Joel Edwards was awarded the AWA ACT Young Water Professional of the Year.
  • Banksia Awards - Gold (overall) and Large Business Awards 2020 for No Opportunity Wasted resource recovery program.
  • In 2019, our colleague Portia Condell was awarded the AWA Young Water Professional of the Year award
  • AWA ACT Water Awards 2017 - Research Innovation Award for Icon Water’s Fish Monitoring and Research program.
  • Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) 2015 - High commended for Organisational Leadership in Infrastructure Sustainability.
  • Overall winner – Sustainable Solutions in Public Works 2014 Australasia.
  • Sustainable Infrastructure category winner – Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia 2014.
  • Keep Australia Beautiful ACT Sustainable Cities 2014 – Community Action Partnerships and Culture award winner.
  • Program Innovation category winner for the Fish Management Program to protect threatened fish – Australian Water Association National Award 2013
  • International Environmental Excellence Award – International Erosion Control Association 2013
  • Keep Australia Beautiful ACT Sustainable cities 2013 – commendation for our community and schools engagement to protect our drinking water catchments
  • ACT Landcare Award 2013 for partnerships for the source water protection program