Water sustainability for retirement community

RSL Care’s Sunset Ridge Retirement Community in Zilzie, near Rockhampton, is securing a sustainable environment for its residents by installing one of the first Aquacell greywater treatment plants in Queensland.

The retirement community contracted water recycling company Aquacell to design, install and maintain a greywater treatment plant, which was completed in early January 2010. It has since recycled about one million litres of water discharged from the community’s showers, baths and basins. The treated water is being re-used in all toilets and washing machines on site.

Philip Boydell, RSL Care’s Project Manager for Sunset Ridge Retirement Community, said the Aquacell greywater treatment plant was chosen because it provided an environmentally friendly, long-term solution to the recycling of greywater while meeting council requirements.

“We were looking for a long-term, environmentally friendly solution that would ensure an adequate water supply for our residents into the future. Aquacell was recommended to us by one of our consultants and we are very happy with the way the plant is operating,” said Phillip.

“We have not received any negative feedback from residents as the plant is operating as it should and the water quality has remained the same since installing the plant. The plant is not producing any odours or noise which would draw attention and even though it faces the salt flats and town, we have been able to screen most of it with landscaping.

“The service from Aquacell has been effective and efficient. We did experience some initial technical difficulties, however these were resolved by Aquacell in a timely manner.

“The use of greywater and blackwater should be encouraged as Australia is a very dry continent and, to ensure abundant supplies of water, recycling is a necessity for the future,” he added.

Located approximately 48 km east of Rockhampton, this $45 million development is master-planned to include 100 independent living villas, resort-style facilities and a 120-bed residential aged care complex accommodating low, high and secure dementia care.

The RSL Care was able to receive one of the first commercial-sized greywater plants operational in Queensland due to a new Queensland Government approval process.