Through our engagement with Traditional Owners and the community, we know that a healthy environment is vital if we are to have thriving communities and a prosperous region. Our collective wellbeing is intricately linked to the health and sustainability of the land and waters we live upon.
Reducing our carbon footprint is fundamental to our commitment. By embracing a circular economy, sourcing renewable energy, optimising water use, recycling and reusing resources, we can minimize our environmental impact and contribute to sustainable environmental health.
To learn more about our key focus areas of climate action, circular economy and environmental stewardship, read our Strategy 2040.
Our Environment Strategy provides commitment and guidance on a sustainable pathway to minimising our impacts on the environment and mitigating and adapting to climate change.
View our Environment Strategy here
The water and wastewater industry generated just under a third of the Victorian Government’s overall emissions in 2025/26. Work is underway across the sector to reduce this footprint, with a net-zero emissions target by 2035.
North East Water has now achieved 100 per cent renewable electricity significantly reducing our emissions over the past 5 years.
We remain on track to reach our target of net zero carbon emissions by 2035. We will do this by:
- invest in self-generation of renewable electricity for behind-the-meter consumption that cost-effectively maintains our 100% renewable electricity commitment
- reduce direct carbon emissions by investing in state-of-the art wastewater treatment infrastructure
- support energy efficiency and decarbonisation of stationary fuel projects to directly reduce emissions
- collaborate with other water corporations in Australia and across the world to research and implement technological solutions that reduce direct wastewater treatment emissions like nitrous oxide
- invest in certified Victorian based Australian Carbon Credit Units to offset any difficult to abate emissions
We have solar installations at multiple sites across our sevice region. They provide renewable electricity to help power each facility, with larger sites producing renewable electricity certificates used by other sites that are unable to house renewable electricity assets onsite. The installations include:
- a 3MW solar farm at the Wodonga wastewater treatment plant
- a 130 kW ground mounted solar array at Yarrawonga wastewater treatment plant
- a 100kW carpark solar system at our regional head office in Wodonga
- a 40kW solar array and 42kWh lithium ion battery bank at the Yackandandah water treatment plant
We are also currently commissioning a major upgrade to Wodonga's wastewater treatment plant. The work will significantly expand our wastewater treatment capacity, and in a first for the region, will use raw wastewater to create renewable biogas. The biogas along with our onsite solar array will provide enough heat and electricity to run the entire facility, and continue to export renewable electricity and potentially biomethane to the grid.
Aside from generating electricity we employ custom algorithms that carefully control our network of water pumping and storage assets. Strategically moving water through the system to ensure we provide safe, reliable and affordable water to our customers. Typically pumping water during midday hours when renewable electricity penetration in the grid is high and wholesale electricity costs are low.
A circular economy is about getting more value from the resources we use and reducing waste wherever possible.
For us, that means exploring opportunities to reuse recycled water, generate renewable energy from wastewater through biogas, find beneficial uses for biosolids, and recover nutrients and other valuable resources.
It also means considering recycled and recovered materials when we build infrastructure, such as concrete containing fly ash, aggregate made from crushed concrete and recycled glass sand for pipe embedment.
We carefully assess these opportunities to make sure they are safe, practical, cost-effective and deliver long-term benefits for our region.
We manage our activities to ensure that environmental flows are never compromised and that nature receives adequate water to sustain healthy ecosystems. This includes having a robust strategy for managing our water supply-demand balance, engaging with the community on responsible water use, planning for future growth and maximising the integrity of our assets.
Being careful with how much water you use, not only means you're saving a precious resource, but also helps reduce carbon emmissions. The less water you use, the less energy is used to treat and pump your drinking water.
Take a look at this video our staff put together to highlight how water conservation saves more than just water.
Become more water wise here