The Beach Hotel in Byron Bay has connected to recycled water for its toilet facilities and garden irrigation, say Byron Council, ‘which will save an estimated four million litres a year from the region’s drinking water supply’.
The connection and meter to the hotel’s internal plumbing work was delivered through Council’s Recycled Water Scheme, say staff, with support from regional bulk water supply authority, Rous County Council.
Council staff say the ‘recycled water pipes are identifiable by their purple colour and onsite signage will indicate to hotel patrons where recycled water is connected and used across the premises’.
Beach Hotel general manager Anthony Brady says the business is committed to investing in sustainability initiatives that help minimise the venue’s environmental impact and contribute positively to the surrounding community.
Mr Brady says, ‘The water savings represent the equivalent of one and a half Olympic swimming pools every year’.
‘We hope to see our connection to recycled water generate more conversations around the value of water, where it comes from, and ways we can conserve it’, Mr Brady added.
Council’s director Infrastructure Services, Mr Phil Holloway, said Council has also supported more than ten local nurseries, sporting clubs, business and developments to make the switch from potable (drinking) to recycled water.
Reducing demand on drinking water
‘On average, up to one Olympic-sized swimming pool of recycled water is being repurposed every two to three days via Council’s Recycled Water Scheme, which is reducing demand on our drinking water sources’, Mr Holloway said.
‘Recycled water is clean, safe and cheaper to use than drinking water for specific purposes, such as toilet flushing, garden and landscaping irrigation and washing down of outdoor equipment’, he said.
‘With the warmer months approaching, and more extreme weather conditions occurring, it makes sense to take advantage of this alternative and secure water supply, where feasible’.
‘Working with local businesses to become more resilient toward climate change is something Council is very proud of’, he said.
He says Council uses recycled water for flushing in almost all of Byron Bay’s public toilet facilities, and irrigation of the Cavanbah Centre, the Byron Bay Sport and Recreation Grounds, and grass areas of Railway Park, Main Beach, and the foreshore to Clarkes Beach.
‘Other local businesses using recycled water include Ingenia Holidays, Eden at Byron, Envite Nursery, Byron Bay Herb Nursery, Rosewood Dairy Co, sporting clubs Byron Bay Rugby League Club (Red Devil Park), Club Byron, Byron Bay Golf Club, Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club, and Habitat.
Recycled Water Strategy 2030
‘Council is currently reviewing its Recycled Water Strategy toward 2030, and is trialling smart water meters on its Byron Bay clients, which will help determine the effectiveness and future of the Recycled Water Scheme.
‘There are four Council filling stations for recycled water available at south Byron (corner of Broken Head and Bangalow Road, near the golf course), Byron Bay Depot (Bayshore Drive), Mullumbimby (recycled water storage ponds at the end of Casuarina Street) and Bangalow STP (Dudgeons Lane).
Applications to access Council’s recycled water filling stations can be made online at www.bit.ly/3Iwo7jv.
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