Minister congratulates top water-saving businesses

The most water-wise businesses in Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains were revealed last night at the 7th annual business water efficiency awards, held in Sydney.

NSW Minister for Water Phil Costa congratulated the winners for making water efficiency a priority.

“Water efficiency is a key part of the Keneally Government’s Metropolitan Water Plan to secure our water supplies well into the future, and we have been working with businesses for many years to help them use water as efficiently as possible,” Minister Costa said.

“In fact, last financial year alone, the Keneally Government’s business water-efficiency programs saved more than 24 billion litres a year - that’s enough to supply more than 120,000 homes for a year.

“These businesses have really stepped up to the plate to make their operations as green and efficient as possible and have set a brilliant example for other businesses about sustainable water use, and I applaud them for that.”

The winners are:

• Largest Volume Reduction
  • BlueScope Steel, Port Kembla Steelworks - saved more than one million litres of water a day by actively promoting water efficiency in new capital projects and improving existing manufacturing processes. 98% of the water used at the Port Kembla steelworks is either saltwater or recycled water.
• Highest Percentage Reduction
  • Swift Electroplaters, Silverwater - has reduced water use by 89% (or 15 million litres of water a year) - by recycling the rinse water it uses in the electroplating process.
• Highest Percentage KPI Reduction*
  • Diageo Australia, Huntingwood - the manufacturer has reduced water use by 28.5% per litre of product produced by improving maintenance and continuing to look for opportunities to improve water efficiency in the manufacturing process.
  • Innovation Swift Electroplaters, Silverwater - has reduced water use by 89% (or 15 million litres of water a year) - by recycling the rinse water it uses in the electroplating process.
• Sustainable Business Processes - Joint winners:
  • Merck, Sharp & Dohme, South Granville - save 71,000 litres of water a day by redirecting clean wastewater from purified water systems to the utilities cooling tower, and improving water efficiency in taps, toilets and showers.
  • Diageo Australia, Huntingwood - the manufacturer has reduced water use by 28.5% per litre of product produced by improving maintenance and continuing to look for opportunities to improve water efficiency in the manufacturing process.

*Measures a reduction against a relevant industry key performance indicator such as production units, irrigated square metre, patronage or leased area.

Minister Costa said five businesses were also recognised for achieving a 5 Star water management rating over the past 12 months:

• OI, Penrith
• Merck Sharp & Dohme Australia, South Granville
• Coca-Cola Amatil, Smithfield
• Randwick City Council
• Colonial First State

“The Keneally Government has partnered with 419 businesses to help them use water more efficiently,” Minister Costa said.

“Businesses that demonstrate best-practice water management and commitment to continuous improvement are given a five-star rating for water management.

“To keep the five-star rating they must complete an annual water audit.

“Already 12 businesses across greater Sydney and the Illawarra have achieved a five-star rating, and it is great to see five more businesses make the grade.

“Improving water efficiency is an easy place to start for businesses looking to make their operations greener and these businesses are really leading the charge.”