Businesses small and large across the Hunter are showing their support for water conservation through a range of initiatives including reducing leakage, building stormwater storage tanks, and upgrading infrastructure.
Hunter Water has been working with local companies to bring water efficiency projects to life, which will help to conserve water for the community, now and into the future.
Two businesses, Port Waratah Coal Services and Brancourts, were recognised for their leading efforts by being named as finalists in the Love Water Love Business Award at the annual Hunter Business Awards.
A panel of experts then selected Port Waratah as the winner for 2021.
The decision by Port Waratah to invest heavily in the performance of a water management system at its Carrington Terminal was a key factor in their win.
Since 2016, it’s built three large stormwater storage tanks totalling 21 million litres and invested in a significant pumping and pipeline upgrade for the Carrington Terminal Wharf Precinct, combined with a filtration system to clarify the site’s water.
As the third stormwater tank is commissioned these investments will continue to offset and reduce Port Waratah’s drinking water usage in the coming years.
Fellow finalist Brancourts, a dairy manufacturing business based at Hexham, also worked closely with Hunter Water to produce water-saving initiatives.
As part of implementing a Water Efficiency Management Plan (WEMP), Brancourts now has sub-metering across its site and a real-time monitoring system.
Hunter Water managing director Darren Cleary congratulated the finalists for their efforts in conserving our precious resource.
“Port Waratah and Brancourts clearly know it’s smart business to love water and I applaud their leadership through establishing Water Efficiency Management Plans and committing to working with Hunter Water into the future to help save water for our community,” he said.
“The opportunities they’ve created are examples of how we can all play our part and implement different ways to save water in and around our homes and businesses.”
The Love Water Love Business Award, a Hunter Water and Business Hunter initiative, was judged on innovation, appeal for widespread adoption, water savings, and the payback period.
To enter, organisations are required to adopt a WEMP and introduce water saving initiatives into their business.
The Hunter Business Awards celebrate the achievements and entrepreneurial spirit of our region’s most inspiring organisations and individuals.
Businesses wanting to save water in their operations can visit www.hunterwater.com.au/business for more information.
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