Be a water efficient business

Its summer, and we’ve had ample rain and the dams are full. The past year has provided some welcome recharge to our natural water sources but has also shown just how variable our climate is. Interestingly, our water use is also very variable.

We all know the dry weather will return and we need to be prepared. While we currently have a level of comfort with the water situation, there are many advantages to being a water efficient business including:

• it saves money – the less treated water used, the less it costs.
• it saves energy – treating, moving and heating water all takes energy.
• it prepares for climate changes and potential for drier periods ahead.
• it’s simply good practice to look after precious resources such as water and the environment which rely on them.
• it’s a promotional feature for your business –the community is very water aware and has high expectations of businesses to be water efficient.

Residents have become water efficient and residential sector water use has remained steady in this region over recent years, even though the population has increased. It’s easier than people think to be water efficient. One way to make improvements is to identify potential savings through a water audit. Rous can provide walk through audits for free and assistance can be provided with more complex audits.

Business water efficiency has been promoted nationally and there are excellent examples of leaders in this area. For example:

Coca Cola Amatil (CCA) initiated 55 water saving projects, including water reclaim, recovery optimisation, recycling and stormwater harvesting across several CCA sites. CCA is one of the most efficient bottlers in the Coke global industry and the international beverage market, estimating their water savings at 53 million litres a year. The type of water saving projects implemented at CCA can be replicated by other beverage companies and inspire similar water savings across the beverage sector.

Another example is the Inghams advanced water treatment plan at Murarrie. Inghams developed a holistic water management plan and installed an Advanced Water Treatment Plant and water efficient devices, which demonstrate a corporate commitment to a long-term water saving culture.

Water recycling is particularly innovative in the food processing industry, which requires high quality water and is governed by strict regulations. This is the first time an Advanced Water Treatment Plant has been used to treat wastewater from a poultry processing plant to substitute potable water. Inghams reduced their reliance on mains water by 70%, and saved 545 million litres of water a year. This is a particularly impressive result in light of the strict water standards required by the food industry.

However, it’s not only the very large businesses that can achieve water savings. For further information for commercial or industrial businesses including accommodation premises email: water@rouswater.nsw.gov.au.

Accounting

Peter Fowler

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