Massive Water Savings at Port of Brisbane
05 October, 2007
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The Port of Brisbane Corporation has become one of the city's leading water saving companies, by reducing its town water consumption by a massive 96 per cent.
The Lord Mayor's water spokesman, Councillor Jane Prentice, said the Port of Brisbane had saved 18.8 million litres of water in the first quarter of 2007, compared with the first quarter of 2005.
"This is an outstanding result for a Brisbane company that has remained committed to implementing innovative water saving strategies," Cr Prentice said.
"There might be a sense in the community that businesses are not doing their bit to save water, but here is a prime example of a home-grown company that is doing its best to save water."
"This drought has brought out the very best in our community and is laying a strong foundation of cooperation between the community, businesses and government organisations."
Cr Prentice said the Corporation's Board, senior executive and staff members were all committed to reducing the Port's water consumption, with all working closely with Council's Business Water Efficiency Program (BWEP) team to bring about the massive 96 per cent saving.
BWEP is an incentive-based scheme providing financial and technical support to help businesses save water. This State Government funded program is delivered by Council for Brisbane and coordinated regionally by the SEQ Water Corporation.
Cr Prentice said the Port made a commitment to reduce its dependence on town water in 2005, and an environmental executive, Wayne Young, was appointed to put a plan into action.
"We have many onsite water tanks around the Port, including 10 thousand litre, 14.5 thousand litre, 22.7 thousand litre, and 35 thousand litre tanks, with more to come," Mr Young said."
"We've also retorfitted taps, toilets and showers and placed flow restrictions on urinals."
"The long lake in the middle of the Port site is also a rain harvesting device, which collects storm water that is purified as the sediment settles and then re-used on site," Mr Young said.
The Corporation had also worked with stevedores, shipping agents and the Queensland Water Commission to educate incoming ships to plan their potable water requirements ahead.
Brisbane is only able to supply the equivalent of 140 litres of water per crew member per day, the same as allowed to local residents. Incoming ships are now spreading out their water intake at other ports of call, such as New Zealand or other ports that are not in drought.