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A LOCAL Sunshine Coast company has taken the initiative to treat millions of litres of water and in the process also accomplish an Australian first. Buderim Ginger, located in Yandina on the Sunshine Coast, has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to create Australia’s first waste water treatment facility that removes pollutants from the water through the use of unique organisms that have been suspended above the ground. The facility can treat up to 22,000 litres of water per hour by using a trickle filter system made up of long polypropylene strips vertically suspended eight metres above the ground. Naturally occurring organisms attached to the strips begin the chemical free purification process. The new facility, partly funded by the State Government’s ecoBiz program through the Environmental Protection Agency, has taken almost 12 months to complete and will assist Buderim Ginger to cut its annual water discharge by 22 million litres of water. Representing Queensland Environment Minister Desley Boyle at the launch, Member for Noosa Cate Molloy congratulated Buderim Ginger for taking advantage of the ecoBiz program. “Industries do use a lot of water, and it is terrific to see Buderim Ginger taking the lead and looking at ways to cut its use of drinking water,” Ms Molloy said. “I hope other Sunshine Coast businesses will consider signing up with ecoBiz to save water and energy – it also saves the business money.” The $700,000 first phase of the project will help to reduce the company’s dependence on the local water facilities, paving the way for other businesses in the area and around the state to follow suit and consider ways to reduce their water and energy consumption. The reduction in water and waste charges will offer considerable cost reductions to Buderim Ginger’s operations. Buderim Ginger received a $150,000 rebate from the EPA’s ecoBiz program that recognises responsible corporate citizens who present a solid business case for capital investments that will reduce water and energy use. FAST FACTS • By using Australian first technology Buderim Ginger will cut it annual water discharge by 22 million litres which equates to more than 25% of the company’s water usage or 150,000 litres/day. • Phase one of the project has taken almost 12 months to complete. • Trickle filter technology purifies water to a level almost suitable for human consumption. • The use of recycled water has increased almost threefold since 1996-97, although the volume used is still relatively small. In 1996-97 there were 134,424 millilitres (ML) of recycled water used in Australia, which made up less than 1% of total water use in that year. By 2000-01 this volume had increased to 516,563 ML. However, this use still accounted for less than 1% of total water use. A large proportion of recycled water use is sourced from rural/irrigation regional reuse schemes. • Australia is the driest continent excluding Antarctica 22 million litres = The equivalent volume of approximately 10 Olympic size swimming pools. 1 Kilolitre (kL) = One thousand litres, or a volume of approximately five 44-gallon drums, or one typical box trailer. |
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