The commercial and industrial sector has an important role to play in securing water supplies. As large users of water, there are productivity gains and net economic benefits, as well as environmental benefits to be made from using less water.
Typically this sector consumes approximately 15 to 20 per cent of water in Australia and greater water efficiency will take pressure off fresh water supplies in urban and regional areas.
The Award forms part of the Water Efficiency Opportunities program administered by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and aims to encourage and recognise significant savings in water efficiency by the commercial and industrial sector.
Tom Mollenkopf, CEO of the Australian Water Association says, “People get a little sick of the stick all the time; what we need is more of the carrot. The Water Wise Award is about recognizing those who are being innovative and more importantly those from whom we can learn, and share these innovations.”
There are not many things the Prime Minister puts his personal stamp on or personal signature in this case, it’s recognition of the importance of us all making a contribution. This is about shining the light on commercial and industrial users, looking at what they are doing and encouraging others to do something that is going to save water, save money and contribute to long-term sustainability.”
Mollenkopf wasn’t always in water; in fact he started out in a private legal practice, working in corporate law for Australian Airlines and various other businesses, before working for South East Water in Melbourne. Prior to taking up this posting, Tom spent a couple of years with the International Water Association in London.
The Award
The core criteria is that a nominee has to be able to demonstrate bulk volumes of water saved annually, in particular a reduction in use compared to equivalent facilities. That’s the base. You don’t even get considered until you can demonstrate objectively that you are saving water.
Once you get over that first threshold the panel will then look at your level of water savings and the ability for the project to be replicated at other similar facilities; whether it be used as a demonstration for others to take up in similar circumstances. Then they would like to see innovation in processes or technologies. Lastly, there has got to be a process for implementing water safety, evidence in excellence, they really want to see examples from those who have done something more than just the run of the mill.
This idea is one of the first forays of the Federal Government to encourage commercial and industrial users to become more water efficient. From Mollenkopf’s perspective, this is about encouraging good practice by articulating some very simple criteria and allowing people to go out and be innovative and select the best way to deliver on it. There is no mandated function, or regulatory function to do it; it is about demonstrating social and environmental responsibility.
Another great thing about this award is that the government wants to see this get some airplay; they want to see people get really enthused about this but they are also concerned about integrity, which is why they are working with the Australian Water Association. The AWA is an independent, not for profit organisation with expert knowledge about sustainable water management. They will form the judging panel, well articulated criteria and then let the independent experts come up with their decisions and celebrate the outcomes.
Mollenkopf believes that anything reinforcing the message has got to be a good thing. There have been requirements for major commercial and industrial consumers to put in place saving plans, because the cost of water will increase quite dramatically in the coming years as we are forced to find water from more expensive sources. In many cases demand management can be cheaper than buying more water.
The big hope now is that the Water Wise Awards are FLOODED with nominations!!
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