water future banner

Our Water Future

As part of our work in planning for the future, we have initiated a program of customer and community engagement on long-term future water security. The engagement program is being delivered over four phases (generally in line with Icon Water’s technical milestones) and is expected to run from August 2023 to late 2026. 

Findings from the consultation will help inform the:

  • Recommendations for Icon Water’s future water security planning. 
  • Review of Temporary Water Restrictions and Permanent Water Conservation Measures legal instruments. 
  • The ACT Government Water Strategy refresh.
  • Subsequent phases of engagement.

The 4 Phases of our engagement program:

Phase 1: Understand community values and decision - making criteria ]

water drops

  • Explore high-level customer and community priorities when it comes to future water planning in the ACT.  
     
  • Customer and community recruited survey (n=300)
     
  • Phone interviews with Icon Water’s high volume water users
     
  • Citizens’ Panel (meetings 1 and 2)
     
  • Interviews with key water accounts based on high usage
     
  • Correspondence with community stakeholders

  • 2024 - 2025

Phase 2: Refine your shortlist ]

magnifying glass on paper

  • Prepare a shortlist of future water augmentation options and portfolios that reflect customer and community values.
     
  • Assessment of findings from Phase 1
     
  • Citizens’ Panel (meeting 3)
     
  • Stakeholder and industry forums
    • Icon Water Expert Panel
    • Icon Water Customer Advocacy Forum 
    • Environmental experts and advocates 
    • Government staff and representatives
    • Utility Industry Regulator Forum 

  • 2025 - 2026

Phase 3: Select the preferred future water portfolio ]

water drop puzzle

  • Identify customer and community preferences across the portfolios by exploring combinations and trade-offs.
  • Assessment of findings from Phase 2
  • Open customer and community survey across the ACT
  • Citizens’ Panel (meeting 4)
  • Wider industry conversations
  • Community Council meetings
  • Public information: website, social media

  • 2026

Phase 4: Finalise the Future Water Plan ]

lightbulb with green tick

  • Close the loop. Return to customers and community to demonstrate how their feedback has been addressed in the draft Water Future Plan.
     
  •  Assessment of findings from Phase 3
     
  • Correspondence with customers and community
     
  • Published engagement findings and website information
     
  • Presentation to Icon Water Customer Advocacy Forum