Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Win win with SA businesses conserving water

In October, as part of National Water Week, South Australian Minister for Water Resources, Mark Brindal, launched a video highlighting five demonstration sites where businesses are conserving water.

An initiative of Marion and Mitcham Councils in Adelaide, and funded through the National Heritage Trust Agreement, the aim is to encourage businesses and industry to reduce their use of mains water, through various conservation measures.

Research has shown that cost effective industrial water conservation measures can save between 25-40 percent of original water use, and can go as high as 90 percent. Launched at Marion Council, the 85 people who attended gave very favourable feedback on the video.

The demonstration sites show how a rethink of procedures can result in substantial environmental and cost savings for businesses. Actions put in place include recycling water many times over and using roof water runoff instead of mains water. For their efforts, the five businesses were presented with a framed certificate by the Minister. Collectively, the five sites are saving in excess of 300,000 litres of mains water per annum.

A catchment tour following the launch of the video provided an opportunity for the public to view the demonstration sites. Information about the activities undertaken by the participating businesses to reduce their water use is also available on the both Councils' web sites.

The video explains how a reduction in consumption means less water has to be pumped from the Murray River to supplement Adelaide's reservoirs. This leaves extra water for vital environmental flows needed to keep the Murray healthy.

The alternative is increased salinity levels that will ultimately lead to increased costs for industry through corrosion of pipes, machinery and hot water systems.

For further information contact John Dagas, Environment Officer at Mitcham Council, on (08) 8372 8823.

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