Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group wins ‘Hunter Water Love Water’ Award
One of the region’s largest volume water users that connects coal mines of the Hunter Valley, Gunnedah, Gloucester and the Western Coalfields of New South Wales to the world has taken out the ‘Hunter Water Love Water’ award at this year’s annual Hunter Business awards.
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) is the 2023 winner, recognised for reducing water consumption significantly across its Kooragang Island site after undertaking a Water Efficiency Management Plan (WEMP).
Crowning the win is NCIG’s Recycled Water Project, which saves 275 million litres of drinking water each year or the annual water usage of just over 1700 residential homes.
Further contributing to NCIG’s win are several other measures the coal export terminal has identified through its WEMP including:
- significant investigation into leakage
- water sub-metering and flow monitoring
- reduced irrigation
- capturing and re-using stormwater.
Hunter Water knows working closely with businesses helps conserve our precious drinking water supply and can help businesses financially in the long term.
Along with NCIG, Ingenia Holiday Parks and The Wests Group were recognised for their water conservation efforts by being named as finalists at this year’s awards.
Water efficiency experts at Hunter Water review and select the winner from among the shortlisted businesses.
Hunter Water Managing Director, Darren Cleary, congratulated all three finalists for their work in conserving our most precious resource.
“NCIG, Ingenia Holiday Parks and The Wests Group are demonstrating that it’s smart business to love water. By working with Hunter Water, these organisations play an important role in saving water for our community. Something that’s especially important as we move into a drier climate over summer.
“The savings they have made are an example for everyone of how we can all play our part to save water in and around our homes and businesses,” said Mr Cleary.
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Chief Executive Officer, Aaron Johansen, says the accolade is a huge achievement for his team.
“As a business, we've made a commitment to operate sustainably and to minimise our impact on the environment and community, and this award is recognition for our sustained dedication.
“Water is critical to NCIG’s operations, and we are committed to using it responsibly.
“Our WEMP provided an invaluable insight into the opportunities to drought-proof our operations and significantly reduce reliance on the region’s drinking water. The Recycled Water Project was one of the recommendations from our WEMP and, since commencing operations in April, has already contributed to the reduction of our use of drinking water,” Mr Johansen said.
The ‘Hunter Water Love Water’ award, a Hunter Water and Business Hunter initiative, is judged on innovation, appeal for widespread adoption, water savings, and the payback period.
To enter the award, organisations are required to adopt a WEMP and introduce water-saving initiatives into their business.
More information for businesses wanting to save water in their operations can visit: www.hunterwater.com.au/business