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Barwon Health’s commercial laundry, Linencare, predicts weekly water savings of 545,000L through the purchase of new water saving technology – enough water to fill around 4,000 bathtubs per week.*
The new equipment includes: an Aquamiser water filtration machine, which finely filters water and then reuses it in pre-wash cycles; and an Energy Optimiser (or heat exchange unit) which captures wasted energy from wash cycles and uses it to heat cold, fresh water for rinsing – reducing steam, gas and electricity consumption throughout the plant.
Combined, the technology slashes Linencare’s annual water use by 40 per cent.
The project was partially funded by a grant received from the Smart Water Fund with support from Barwon Water and Linencare's chemical supplier, Ecolab, who installed and commissioned the units and trained Linencare staff to achieve the best possible cleaning process.
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Ecolinc Science and Technology Innovations Centre - Bacchus Marsh |
Incorporating water wise principles is saving Ecolinc Science and Technology Innovations Centre around 1.3ML of potable water per year – or just over half an Olympic sized swimming pool.**
A joint winner of the education programs category in the 2005 savewater! awards®, Ecolinc showcases ecologically sustainable design principles to Centre users and incorporates these examples into curriculum programs.
A major feature is its outdoor classroom, featuring a wetland set within indigenous grassland and woodland. Originally filled using irrigation water, the wetland is designed to intercept urban stormwater and produce savings of 654KL per year.
The Centre’s vegetable garden is watered by drip irrigation, saving 614KL of water annually compared to hose watering. Other savings include 54KL per year through toilets flushed using rainwater or composting toilets that require no water to flush.
A Department of Education and Training facility, Ecolinc is attracting thousands of visitors each year and participates in environmental awareness events including Australia’s Open Garden Scheme.
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* Calculation based on average bathtub size of 135L.
** Calculation based on FINA-approved Olympic sized swimming pool at 2.5ML.
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