Mackay Hospital making every drop of water count

Water saving measures in place at Queensland public hospitals will save approximately 800,000 kilolitres of water a year, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

“Our hospitals are doing their bit to save water as Queensland struggles through the worst drought on record,” he said.

“Some hospitals have already achieved a 15 per cent reduction in their water consumption.

“And more water will be saved as hospitals progressively roll out further innovative water conservation measures through Queensland Health’s Statewide Eco Efficiency Program.”

Mr Robertson said water savings are being achieved through the installation of water-efficient taps, flow restrictors on showers and toilet cisterns, the trial use of waterless urinals, and intensive leak detection and management systems.

“Hospitals are also reducing their take of town water by making extensive use of rainwater and stormwater harvesting for re-use in cooling towers, air conditioning systems and irrigation.

“Some hospitals are using water recovered from renal dialysis and treated through reverse osmosis for cooling towers plus recycled water used to test fire pumps.

“Others are looking at innovative technology to improve the water use efficiency of x-ray equipment, rinse processes and extraction systems.”

Mr Robertson said Mackay Hospital expects to save 12,787 kilolitres of water per year through its initiatives. (1 kilolitre = 1,000 litres)

“Mackay Hospital is employing a lot of the same water saving measures as other hospitals in terms of water efficient taps, showers and toilets.

“It is also recycling rejected water from the reverse osmosis plant in the dialysis area.

“And rainwater harvested from the roof will be stored and re-used when required as wash water in the laundry.”

Media: Paul Lynch 3234 1190 or 0417 728 676