Water Saving and Recycling

Water saving initiatives include both field-based and corporate activities.

We have water tanks at seven locations (Horsham, Ballarat, Bendigo, Rooney Street, Shepparton, Kyneton and Warrnambool).

The water from these is used mainly for vehicle washing. As part of our policy to reduce the spread of pest plants and disease, all off-road vehicles must be washed regularly to ensure no weed or plant debris is transported from site to site. Where water tanks could not be used we obtained exemptions from local water authorities to wash vehicles in accordance with the policy.

Water from rainwater collection tanks has also been used in the maintenance of the grounds and gardens of our depots.

In addition to reducing the amount of water we use in our field-based operations we also encourage our office-based employees to reduce their water consumption.

We have installed tap and shower flow restrictors at several locations. We will continue to install these across the business in 2008.

We have developed and displayed posters and used email to encourage employees to limit the amount of water used in company kitchens and showers. Timers have been placed in showers to enable employees to monitor the duration of their showering.

Our on-line Home Energy Efficiency guide also details how employees can reduce the amount of water they use domestically.

At the start of 2007 we introduced a waterless urinal system at our head office.  This system is now being phased in at major sites across the business and has the potential to reduce urinal water use by 98%.