Buying or leasing an existing business generating trade waste? Make sure you find out the facts prior to purchase.
Is your water bill high? Does your business operate an evaporative cooling tower?
Evaporative cooling towers can contribute between 20 and 50 per cent to the cost of your total water bill.
More than 200 cooling towers are in use across the Allconnex Water region with many towers operating inefficiently. Here are some simple steps to improve efficiency and save costs.
Install sub-metering on make-up (supply) and bleed (discharge) lines in order to effectively monitor system performance (a requirement under the Queensland Water Commission’s Permanent Water Conservation Measures). Monitor and log sub-meter data on a weekly basis to establish normal usage patterns.
Cycles of concentration, or the ratio of make-up water entering a tower in relation to the bleed water being discharged, needs to be maintained above a minimum of five ‘cycles’ i.e. for every 100 kilolitres of water supplied to the tower, no more than 20 kilolitres should be discharged from the tower. If the ratio is less than five cycles, discuss this with your operations staff or cooling tower maintenance contractor - there is an opportunity to save water and save costs.
For businesses using 10 megalitres of water per year or more, evaporative cooling towers typically account for up to 30 per cent or $8150 per year* of water usage. For example case if you are running at four cycles instead of five, this is costing you an extra $1630 per year.
Leakage does happen from time to time and it is important to recognise that a quick response is necessary. Do you have remote monitoring capability in your building management system (BMS) with alarm functions? If not, consider smart water metering as this allows similar function where a BMS is not available. For example, if the water feed ball float – with a flow rate of nine litres per minute – is stuck and left running unnoticed between monthly service visits, the business would incur an additional cost of approximately $1000 per year. This over-sight is a common occurrence. One solution is to install smart water metering, given the savings made from stopping the water leaks usually covers the cost of the smart water meter.
Contact Allconnex Water’s Commercial Program team for further information.
(Contributed by Ryan Dillon, Qld State Manager, Water Conservation Group Pty Ltd)
* Based on 2011-12 Redland pricing
Customer feedback has driven changes to the way commercial water-carriers can access the Allconnex Water potable (town) water network, including water-carriers who provide water for domestic consumption.
Allconnex Water is removing all overhead filling station structures and water-carriers will now use a metered hydrant standpipe system.
A metered hydrant standpipe is a vertical pipe used by water-carriers to fill their tanks. Access to a standpipe is subject to an agreement with Allconnex Water.
Smaller water-carriers, such as those supplying water for pets and livestock using a utility or trailer mounted tanks will still be able to access a filling point without the need for a metered hydrant standpipe.
The new system is now in place and a number of water-carriers have already made application to be issued with a standpipe. Removal of these overhead structures has commenced and all filling locations will be progressively modified.
Safety has been a key consideration for these changes removing the need for some vehicle operators to climb onto their vehicle to open and close their tank hatches. The new system ensures all operators can fill their water tanks from the ground.
Allconnex Water has also increased the number of available filling locations reducing filling time for water-carriers.
Click here for more information on standpipes and filling stations.
Businesses irrigating established gardens and/or lawns greater than 500 square metres with potable water must complete an Irrigation Water Efficiency Management Plan (IWEMP).
Guidelines and templates for an IWEMP are available on the Queensland Water Commission's website at www.qwc.qld.gov.au.
Ensure a sub-meter is installed on the water supply line for the irrigation system.
Prior to submitting your completed IWEMP to Allconnex Water using the WG-22 Irrigation Water Efficiency Management Plan template, have it certified by a certified irrigation professional.
Businesses using more than ten megalitres of water and/or operate an evaporative cooling tower, are reminded to ensure that they have sufficient data to prepare their annual WEMP reports for the late October Queensland Water Commission deadline.
Looking for advice on water and wastewater quality?
Allconnex Water has a comprehensive water monitoring program to ensure our customers receive the best quality water and that our wastewater treatment protects the environment.
Drinking water is sampled and tested regularly at different locations across Allconnex Water networks to ensure drinking water meets the regulated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Wastewater is monitored to ensure the effluents from our wastewater treatment plants meet licence requirements for discharge to the environment.
Allconnex Water also offers commercial testing services, for all types of water, at its Loganholme, Redland and Southport laboratories. These laboratories collectively provide accredited sample collection and testing services that include the chemical analysis of nutrients, metals and organic compounds, as well as microbiological testing for bacteria, coliphages and algae.
Contact your nearest Allconnex Water laboratory on 07-3412 4212 (Loganholme), 07- 3824 9540 (Redland) and 07-5581 1960 (Southport).
Gold Coast
There have been changes to the ways Gold Coast customers can pay their water and wastewater accounts that were issued in mid-July 2011. There have also been changes to the ways customers can submit forms and applications.
Paying bills
Customers are no longer able to access counter service at Gold Coast City Council offices for Allconnex Water payments, applications and inquiries. Instead, Allconnex Water business customers can pay their July account at any Australia Post office or Commonwealth Bank branch.
Gold Coast customers can also pay by BPAY using a new biller code, over the phone and by mail. Another option is establishing a convenient direct debit arrangement. You can download a direct debit form from our website or telephone us and we can post one to you. Find out how to pay your business account
Submitting applications
For Gold Coast customers who wish to submit an application, or have an inquiry about any of the following, please call 1300 000 WATER (1300 000 928) and arrange an appointment with the relevant area. For example:
For customers wishing to submit forms or applications, we have established a front counter within the Gold Coast City Council administration building at 135 Bundall Road, Bundall, Gold Coast.
Logan
There have been changes to the ways Logan customers can pay their water and wastewater accounts. If you pay your account using pre-programed BPAY details for internet or phone banking you will need to update these details with the new biller code number - 17384.
Logan customers can also pay their August account at any Australia Post office or Logan City Council Administration Centre.
Redland
Redland customers’ Water Summary was issued with their Redland City Council rate notice in July. Customers can continue to pay their water charges as part of their rates notice. This payment method has not changed.
Addressing the sustainability of your business’s supply chain is an important part of becoming a greener business.
QWESTnet is running a half-day forum at Logan on 14 September that will provide tips on how to assess and manage your business supply chain. Improving a business’ ‘green’ credentials does not only rely on your business’ practices, it also involves the business practices of your suppliers and the environmental impacts these may have.
In the past, manufacturers were the drivers of the supply chain, managing production and distribution. Today retailers drive the agenda and successful manufacturers are those who can meet customer demands for transparency regarding production and distribution environmental impacts.
Contact the QWESTnet team at qwestnet.info@derm.qld.gov.au or visit the Department of Environment and Resource Management website at www.derm.qld.gov.au and search for QWESTnet technologies.
Get involved in water efficiency and start planning your National Water Week (16-22 October 2011) activities now.
Just three per cent of the world’s water is fresh. Two thirds of that is locked up in polar ice leaving only one per cent available for drinking!
Encourage your staff to take actions that help protect and conserve our most precious resource - water.
Go to www.nationalwaterweek.org.au for further information.
Future issues of the Water Biz eNews will feature information relevant to our current and prospective recycled water business customers. Allconnex Water operates a number of recycled water networks to supply industrial and irrigation customers with recycled water.
Join up and receive the quarterly Water Biz eNews by emailing your details, including your business name, key contact person and email address to watersaver@allconnex.com.au
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Contact us at watersaver@allconnex.com.au