February 2012

Allconnex Water is your water and wastewater business servicing the Gold Coast, Logan and Redland districts

• The Queensland 2012 Premier’s ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards
• We need your help to protect our wastewater systems and the environment
• Changes to WELS scheme requirements
• Recycled water
• Lion – trade waste planning for a sustainable future
• Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund (QSEIF)
• EcoBiz Network
• We want your feedback

The Queensland 2012 Premier’s ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards

Queensland-based businesses, community members and individuals are being invited to enter the 2012 Premier’s ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards. Initiatives, activities or projects entered must have the potential to be applied or adapted by other businesses, community member, or individuals.

This award is given to an organisation or individual developing and/or applying technology that goes beyond current best practice to achieve environmental benefits and improve business sustainability (e.g. energy or water savings, waste reduction or reduced environmental impact).

Entries close Friday 16 March 2012.

For further information visit http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/premiersawards/index.html

We need your help to protect our wastewater systems and the environment

Everything that goes down the plug hole or is flushed down the toilet ends up in our wastewater system.

Flushing a cotton bud, biodegradable dish cloth or an anti-bacterial wipe down the toilet can cause equipment breakdowns at wastewater treatment plants and blockages at pump stations. This can cause significant maintenance problems and increased costs.

Increase your awareness of correct disposal methods and help create a more sustainable future.

For local information on disposal locations go to:

Redland: www.redland.qld.gov.au/environmentWaste/waste  

Logan:  www.logan.qld.gov.au/environment-and-waste/waste-and-recycling

Gold Coast: www.greengc.com.au

Changes to WELS scheme requirements

From 1 November 2011, a new Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme standard took effect. It includes all current amendments (1-5) made to AS/NZS 6400:2005 Water efficient products - Rating and labelling.

Key changes in the new standard include:

• minimum water efficiency standards for washing machines
• a new standard for cold only connect (no heater) washing machines
• a new labelling requirement for water use of the dryer function of combination washer dryers
• WaterMark certification required for all plumbing products
• design changes to the zero star rated label
• design changes to the normal pressure label for taps, showers and flow controllers
• the option to register and label taps and showers tested at low pressure.

There is now a zero star water efficiency rated label featuring the words 'not water efficient'. This label applies to all WELS products, except washing machines and toilets as there will be no zero star ratings under their minimum water efficiency standards.

For further information check out the WELS site at www.waterrating.gov.au.

Recycled water

Golf course recycled water use contributed substantially to a 220 million-litre increase in usage in November across the Allconnex Water region. The last quarter has seen the average monthly reuse hit 650 million litres, 20% above last year’s use. Irrigators such as cane farms and golf courses are the highest users, however seasonal irrigation demands saw golf courses take the reuse lead.

Businesses are increasingly becoming aware of the cost and quality benefits of recycled water.

Increasing the use of recycled water also benefits the wider community. As use increases, there is a decreased need to use high energy pumping to send it to licenced release points, as well as reducing the use of high quality drinking water.

Allconnex has a new recycled water refilling station at Benowa due for completion in late March 2012. This will further increase the access options for recycled water carriers.

Recycled water carriers are reminded to contact Allconnex Water regarding completing their annual refresher training.

Lion – trade waste planning for a sustainable future

Allconnex Water congratulates Lion for achieving and exceeding world’s best practice standards in the design and commencing construction of the Crestmead on-site trade waste pre-treatment facility.

The Lion (formerly Lion Nathan National Foods) Crestmead processing plant, has taken up the challenge to shift from a company that was exceeding their annual trade waste licence loading capacity to a world best practice leader in trade waste discharge. The nation-wide milk processing and bottling company uses significant volumes of water in their processing. Each quarter the company was discharging the equivalent of their full annual licence loading. Over 300kL of trade waste that had only marginal treatment was being discharged back into the wastewater network to be treated at the Loganholme Pollution Control Centre. In 2008 the company was given notice to improve its trade waste discharge.

This period saw a number of internal corporate structural changes for the company resulting in its Ipswich operations moving to the Crestmead site, further increasing trade waste discharge levels. Management knew their current trade waste practices were unsustainable and commenced investigations to address this issue.

The result has been the company making a huge investment in their operations at the Crestmead site and negotiating to build an on-site pre-treatment facility costing more than $12 million to be fully operational in late 2012. Lion has taken on the challenge to meet and excel world’s best practice by aiming to halve their trade waste discharge and potentially saving the company hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. The trade waste being discharged from the new pre-treatment facility will ensure there are no quality or excessive load issues when it flows into the Allconnex Water network.

Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund (QSEIF)

The Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund (QSEIF) assists Queensland organisations to develop innovative technologies that reduce energy and water consumption.

The program focuses on the development and commercialisation of sustainable technologies. Since 1999, QSEIF has committed more than $9 million in funding to over 80 innovative energy and water saving projects in Queensland.

Some projects previously funded through the QSEIF program have started production, sales or licensing; raised substantial investment capital; exported around the world; and employed scientific, technical and other skilled staff.

Two QSEIF funding rounds are being held in 2012.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Principal Project Officer and discuss project proposals prior to submission. Contact Dr Martin Gellender, Principal Project Officer on 07 3330 5430, or email martin.gellender@derm.qld.gov.au

For further details go to http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/qseif/index.html

EcoBiz Network

The Department of Environment and Resource Management’s (DERM) Sustainable Industries branch, part of the Office of Climate Change has re-branded its successful Queensland Water and Energy Sustainable Technologies Network (QWESTNet) forums. From mid-February the forums are re-named the ecoBiz Network.

We want your feedback

What water and wastewater topics interest you?

What water and wastewater information makes it easier for you to run your business?

Do you have a Watersaver success story, innovation, or tip to share?

Contact us at watersaver@allconnex.com.au