Class A+ Recycled Water is coming to the Pimpama Coomera Region.

In early 2009, Gold Coast Water's Pimpama Recycled Water Treatment Plant is scheduled to begin supplying Class A+ recycled water to customers in the Pimpama Coomera Waterfuture Master Plan Region. For some businesses located in this area, access to Class A+ water may provide a valuable sustainable resource.

Class A+ is the highest class of recycled water available in Queensland for non-drinking purposes. It is highly treated to meet stringent environmental and health regulations, set by the Queensland Government’s Water Recycling Guidelines.

Class A + recycled water will be plumbed to new commercial/business premises for the purposes of toilet flushing and outdoor gardening uses.

If a business connected to the recycled water system wishes to use Class A+ for purposes other than the priority uses (toilet flushing, fire fighting and outdoor gardening), an Expression of Interest (EOI) for an additional allocation can be submitted. Similarly, business customers in the Master Plan Region not connected to the recycled water supply system can also apply for access to recycled water via the EOI process.

Commercial uses for Class A+ that are outside the priority uses, and therefore requiring submission of an EOI, may include machine wash down, agricultural irrigation, golf course irrigation, horticulture or some manufacturing processes.

The Expressions of Interest must be submitted to Gold Coast Water. Each application will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Suitability
• Water saving potential
• Capacity of the supply network to meet demand
• Proximity to existing infrastructure
• Cost - cost of connection is to be borne by the customer
• Engineering approvals e.g. Operational Works Approval
• Compliance with statutory requirements

For further information on accessing recycled water and the Expression of Interest Process visit Gold Coast City Council - Accessing Recycled Water

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Water restriction update - WEMPS to remain in place

When the Hinze Dam reaches 95 per cent, the Gold Coast will join the rest of South East Queensland on regional water restrictions - Target 170 High Level Water Restrictions.

This date is nearing, however there will be no changes to business and industry under the new water restrictions.

Business and industry must continue to use water efficiently by operating in accordance with their Water Efficiency Management Plans, retrofitting with water efficient devices and following best practice guidelines (where applicable).

Under Target 170 High Level Water Restrictions, residents can use a hose with a twist or trigger nozzle for half an hour between 4pm and 4.30pm on:

• Saturdays for odd-numbered houses
• Sunday for even and un-numbered houses

For further information on the Target 170 High Level Water Restrictions visit Queensland Water Commission's website at www.qwc.qld.gov.au. Alternatively visit www.goldcoastwater.com.au or contact the Gold Coast Water Customer Contact Centre on 1300 366 692.

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Corporate social responsibility – put an end to water poverty

Are you an organisation that depends heavily on water usage or based within the water sector and would like an opportunity to support a relevant charity?

WaterAid Australia is a charity dedicated to providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest communities, a basic necessity of life that many of us tend to take for granted here on the Gold Coast.

There are many ways that both large and small businesses can get involved with WaterAid Australia, to make a real difference to the lives of some of the world's poorest people. Your company could become a WaterAid Australia member, benefit from sponsoring a water aid event, or perhaps employees could establish a WaterAid committee.

What difference would your support make? Funds raised for WaterAid go towards community-focused projects within Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea. WaterAid uses practical, low-cost, sustainable practices to empower communities to develop a safer way of life through sanitation, water access and hygiene education. Safe water means less disease and less time spent sourcing and carrying water which creates more time for education and earning a living. For more information on how to get involved with water aid visit Corporate involvement WaterAid.

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Small Business – Tips on saving water

There are many opportunities for small businesses to make big water savings and cut costs. We have put together a list of simple low-cost water saving initiatives which are affordable for any business, regardless of size. Implementing these measures can lead to significant savings on your next water bill and a big boost to sustainability.

Team work:

• Involve staff in water saving by seeking their ideas and rewarding those who make a positive contribution.
• Increase staff awareness by discussing water conservation in team meetings and include water saving procedures in training programs.
• Inform cleaners of your commitment to water conservation. Ask them about their cleaning methods and seek opportunities to reduce their water use.
• Raise staff and visitor awareness using Gold Coast Water’s complimentary Water Saving Materials, see the last article in this newsletter for more information.

Fittings and Appliances:

• When it comes time to replace existing appliances and fittings or investing in new equipment, seek out water efficient models. The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme, lets you compare the water efficiency of all new washing machines, dishwashers, showers, toilets, urinals and most taps. For water efficiency - the more stars the better! Aim for products carrying four or more stars, to maximise your water efficiency and reduce running costs.
• Place flow restrictors on existing taps. These devices can reduce flow by up to 50 per cent, saving 7-10 litres of water a minute flowing down the drain.
• Install a timer to turn off equipment when not in use.

Stop leaks

• Check for leaks in taps, pipes and hoses - this is an easy cost effective way reduce water wastage. One leaking tap can waste more then 2,000 litres a month and a leaking toilet can waste up to 7,500 litres a month
• Encourage staff, cleaners and visitors to report leaks.

Most importantly, get a comprehensive understanding of your water usage and costs, this will help you identify equipment and practices that may be wasting water and money. Visit how to estimate non-residential water and wastewater charges, for more information.

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Workshop: Contracts in the Building Industry- A Practical Approach

5.30 pm to 7.00 pm, Tuesday 7 October 2008
Room 4, Bicentennial Hall, Gold Coast City Council, 833 Southport Nerang Road, Nerang.

Gold Coast Water will be supporting the Master Plumbers & Mechanical Services Association in presenting this FREE workshop, on how to use and setup contracts in the building industry that will work for you successfully. How to avoid the pitfalls of contacts and how to handle non-payments, payment claims and schedules.

Who should attend: This workshop is aimed as those working in the plumbing and building industry, who mange invoicing, payment authorisation and collections.

Cost: FREE to Members of the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association

Registration: Contact Evangeline Kannis on (07) 3252 1266 or evangeline.kannis@mpaq.com.au.

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GreenPlumbers Training Program

The GreenPlumbers Training Program is jointly run on the Gold Coast by the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia and Gold Coast Water with support from other industry representatives.

The program is part of an innovative nationally accredited approach to training plumbers in the water conservation, environmental, and public health aspects of their work. The training opportunities provided by the program place plumbers in a better position to advise and inform consumers on environmental and water conservation topics. The next GreenPlumbers Workshop scheduled for the Gold Coast is:

Caring for our water
8.45am -4.00pm, Tuesday 2 December 2008
Room 7, Bicentennial Hall, Gold Coast City Council, 833 Southport Nerang Road, Nerang.

This workshop covers water efficient products and labelling, new technology, household water audits, reducing household water consumption, rain water tanks stormwater and sewerage.

Who should attend: Anyone in the plumbing or building industry.

Cost: Free to all participants.

Registration: Bookings are essential, to register online visit www.greenplumbers.com.au - Training Registration

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Complimentary Water Saver Materials Scan stickers & tent cards

Encourage your staff and visitors to be water conscious at your place of business. Gold Coast Water has complimentary bathroom stickers that have been tested in a number of marinas, shopping centres and hotels on the Gold Coast, proving to be beneficial in reminding staff & visitors to be water efficient in the bathroom.

These stickers also subconsciously reinforce the water conservation message, leading to water efficient behaviour in other areas.

For maximum exposure we recommend you position a sticker above the basin area and on the cistern of each toilet. Please be advised these are non-marking stickers and are therefore suitable to be placed on mirrors.

To place your order simply email watersaver@goldcoastwater.com.au and leave your business name, postal address and the number of stickers you require.

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© 2008 Gold Coast City Council