Yarra Valley Water (YVW) commissioned Lifecycles to undertake an explorative study to understand what circular economy means to them as a water utility, and how it translates into action at both strategy and project levels. Lifecycles developed and applied a circular economy framework adapted to water utilities drawing on international best practice in circular economy and sustainability assessment.

Full material flow analyses of construction materials, water and nitrogen flows were undertaken both inside YVW and of its suppliers and customers. These material flows were translated into circularity, water scarcity and carbon footprint indicators and were presented in a staff workshop to highlight where the hotspots were located and to generate a range of solutions to increase the circularity of YVW processes. These options were then tested in the model against circularity, water and carbon footprint indicators.