Victorian companies awarded for water conservation

Victorian companies have been recognised for outstanding achievement in water conservation at the recent Savewater awards.

Nigel Finney, CEO of Savewater Alliance Inc, believes that companies are being innovative when it comes to addressing the water challenges facing Australia.

"The winners have shown how easily we can change our water usage behaviour and efficiently recycle our existing water supplies."

Chief judge of the awards, Rob Gell led a panel of academics and industry and government experts in choosing this year's recipients.

"There are so many ways to be smarter with water consumption and the winners have provided many ideas and systems to help make this easier," Gell said.

Savewater award winners for 2006/07 are:

• Built environment: Coles Group Limited for Target headquarters, Geelong.
• Government: Hume City Council for its range of water-saving initiatives across the municipality.
• Manufacturing: Qenos for water-saving improvements to its manufacturing system. (Commendation to Godfrey Hirst Australia.)
• Primary industries: Gippsland dairy farmers Darren and Michelle Berryman for new irrigation technology trials.
• Product innovations: Muller Industries Australia for the Muller 3C, a hybrid alternative to cooling towers.
• Regional business: Linencare, Geelong for the use of water-saving technology in its laundry.
• Service providers: Fishprint (small business) for its waterless printing press; and Yarra Trams East Preston Depot (large business) for its Green Depot pilot program.