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Reimagining urban water, waste and energy systems and creating regenerative infrastructures that capture synergies and deliver benefits for all.

ISF's research into the cutting-edge of restorative infrastructure asks:

“What if we started to expect something quite different from our infrastructure? Can we go beyond reducing ecological damage and seek to design infrastructure that actually improves the local environment, economy and society?”

To achieve this, we need to think differently about networks, institutional arrangements, recovery of valuable materials, acceptable levels of risk, security and price, and a more expansive approach to externalities. 

Diagram of circular economy for water

Circular economy example

Water utilities are moving towards a vision of integrated resource recovery due to a combination of expanding sustainability and liveability aspirations, operational challenges, network constraints and emerging contextual factors. Rising energy costs, as well as increases in energy intensity due to alternate water supplies such as desalination, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts are also pushing new ways of thinking for water and sewage services.

A circular economy approach provides resilience to resource shocks and constraints, and also reduces the impact on the environment when responding to carbon reduction and zero wastewater to ocean requirements.

Read more in Transitioning the Water Industry with the Circular Economy.

A person's hand turning off a water tap

PROJECT | 2019-2021

The future of water smart homes in Greater Sydney

How will water-connected smart technologies in the home transform water practices and systems in Sydney in the near future?

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Leaks cost water and money

NEWS | FEB 2021

Making water more efficient for our schools

The Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP) was established in Victoria to save water and energy in schools, as well as educate current and future generations about the importance of the efficient use of these resources to achieve a more sustainable environment.

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Watering can watering some plants

NEWS | NOV 2020

Transitioning the water industry with the circular economy

An ISF report for the Water Services Association of Australia outlines the potential benefits of a circular economy approach and the steps that the water industry will need to take to unlock them.

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Resources

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