Media Release

19 Dec 2007

Sydney Water awards recognise waterwise businesses

Sydney Water Managing Director Kerry Schott last night congratulated five Sydney companies on achieving significant water savings at the annual Every Drop Counts Business Program Awards ceremony at Customs House.

“Sydney Water launched its Every Drop Counts Business Program in 2001 to help businesses and government organisations identify and implement water saving opportunities,” Dr Schott said.

“Since then, the program has attracted more than 370 members at over 1,900 sites that are generating savings of approximately 34.1 million litres of water per day. That is enough water to supply around 51,000 households.

“The awards recognise organisations and individuals who have made significant reductions in their water use and demonstrate commitment to water conservation.

Award recipients are:

• Innovation– Amcor Fibre Packaging, Botany
  
• Largest percentage reduction – Stockland for its properties at 333 Kent Street, Sydney and 601 Pacific Highway, St Leonards
  
• Largest percentage Key Performance Indicator reduction – Boral Transport Sydney Tippers
  
• Largest volume reduction – BHP Billiton for Illawarra Coal in Appin
  
• Sustainable processes and practices – GPT Group (Office Portfolio) and JLL Asset Management (Asset Management Services).

Innovation Award

“Amcor Fibre Packaging took home the prestigious Innovation Award.

“Amcor is a longstanding member of the Every Drop Counts Business Program, joining in 2003.

“In 2006/07, the innovative company invested $13.5 million in new steam plants that are now saving an impressive 200 million litres of drinking water per year.

“The plant, which use bore water instead of drinking water, are using reverse osmosis technology to treat the water and generate steam for use in the paper making process.

“Amcor’s strong commitment to water conservation was demonstrated by its significant effort and investment to achieve this outstanding reduction in drinking water use.

Largest Percentage Reduction Award

Stockland joined Sydney Water’s Every Drop Counts Business Program in 2004.

“In this time, Stockland has managed to halve water use at two of its large commercial properties.” Dr Schott explained.

“Water use at Stockland’s 333 Kent Street, Sydney building has reduced by 56 per cent and 601 Pacific Highway, St Leonards has reduced by 51 per cent.

“A combination of improved management practices, a comprehensive monitoring and reporting program and the installation of waterless urinals at the properties resulted in this terrific achievement.”

Largest Key Performance Indicator Reduction Award

The award for the Largest Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Reduction recognises how an organisation’s focus on industry specific water efficiency indicators can drive water conservation efforts.

“Boral Transport Sydney Tippers cut water use by 66 per cent, based on the number of litres of water it takes to wash each truck.

“In the last financial year, Boral installed a recycled water plant at its Emu Plains site to re-use water to wash its fleet of trucks.”

Largest Volume Reduction Award

BHP Billiton’s subsidiary - Illawarra Coal’s Appin Mine won the Largest Volume Reduction Award.

“The Appin Mine reduced its water consumption by an outstanding 660 kilolitres per day - achieving the largest reduction in water use for 2006/07.

“The company reduced its water consumption by installing a new reverse osmosis water filtration plant onsite to recycle waste water from mining operations.

Sustainable Processes and Practices Award

The Sustainable Processes and Practices Award recognises companies whose management systems ensure best practice water management.

“GPT Group and JLL Asset Management took home this award and has been a dedicated member of the Every Drop Counts Business Program since May 2005.

“GPT Group has achieved an accredited 5 Star rating under the One-2-Five Water Management Diagnostic process. This rating is considered best practice.

“GPT Group have achieved water savings of 13 per cent across its properties nationally.

“This has been done by installing waterless urinals across their portfolio, monitoring water use, finding and fixing leaks, installing water efficient devices and minimised water use during the testing of fire sprinkler systems.

Individual Recognition Awards

“As well as the large corporate winners, Sydney Water also acknowledges individuals that show great commitment to achieving water savings for their organisations.

“Fifteen individuals were honoured last night by Sydney Water with Recognition Awards for their hard work.”

Dr Schott said that Sydney Water is very proud of its Every Drop Counts Business Program and it has plans to expand the program with a number of trials in the wings.

“We are trialling ways to better assess business water needs and are running technical trials in the food production, irrigation and processing industries.”

The successful program has already received international recognition by winning the Stockholm Industry Water Award last year.

The award recognised Sydney Water’s work with business, industry and government to reduce water usage and ensure the long-term sustainability of Sydney’s water supply.

For more information, see our Every Drop Counts Business Program fact sheet or visit the Saving water in your business pages of the website.

 

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