Sunshine Coast hospitals make 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 Nambour, Caboolture and Redcliffe hospitals expect to collectively save 43,360 kilolitres of water per year through their initiatives. (1 kilolitre = 1,000 litres)

“Savings at these hospitals are being achieved by installing flow control devices in all water outlets to reduce flow rates.

“Nambour Hospital has also installed a thermal solar collector field above the doctor’s car parking area which will produce free hot water.

“The parabolic solar collectors track the sun and provide free 100 degree Celsius hot water during daylight hours.

“The hospital is also making extensive use of rainwater harvesting to replace town water currently being used in cooling towers.

“Nambour Hospital expects to save 20,000 kilolitres of water per year through these initiatives.”

Mr Robertson said Redcliffe Hospital will save an estimated 14,400 kilolitres per year through its water saving measures.

“Caboolture Hospital will save an estimated 8,960 kilolitres of water per year through its water conservation strategy.

“And there’s a proposal to install a connection to feed the hospital cooling towers with recycled water from the Caboolture Shire recycled water pipeline running near the hospital,” he said.

Media: Paul Lynch 3234 1190 or 0417 728 676