Environmental management

By taking action now we will help ensure a sustainable future.

Our sustainability goals will be achieved through effective integration of environmental, social and economic aspects of our business, and delivered through a range of strategies, programs and systems.

Environmental Policy

Sydney Water's Environmental Policy (PDF - 1924KB) outlines our direction on environmental performance. The policy provides the basis for environmental objectives and targets, which are detailed in Sydney Water's Environment Plan, and for continual improvement in environmental performance, which is reported as part of Sydney Water's Annual Report.

Environment Plan

The Environment Plan (PDF - 134KB) sets objectives, actions and targets to manage Sydney Water's environmental performance over five years. Its actions and targets are integrated into business strategies and updated annually.

The Environment Plan aims to protect the environment by operating with the principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD).

Environmental planning and management

Environmental assessments are a key part of planning, operation and maintenance of our projects. We can anticipate any impacts on the natural, social and economic environment depending on the nature, scale, location, timing and complexity of each project.

We aim to minimise and where possible avoid adverse impacts on the natural and built environment, local community and businesses. Many of our environmental assessments are publicly displayed and community and stakeholder input is actively invited.

Our environmental management plans include detailed environmental safeguards that ensure projects are managed in an environmentally sound manner.

Environmental Management System

Our Environmental Management System (EMS) is certified to ISO14001. It is internationally recognised as best practise. It demonstrates:

• commitment by top management to implement and maintain the system
• commitment to improvements in overall environmental performance
• compliance with the international standard and its requirements
• due diligence in environmental management
• predictability and consistency in managing environmental obligations.

Sustainability reporting

We report annually on sustainability. Our framework for reporting reflects best practice. Our scorecard (PDF - 83KB) shows how we are performing.

Our performance reporting goes beyond ecologically sustainable development to social and financial aspects - the triple bottom line.