The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) continues to lead the way with its environmental initiatives significantly reducing its water usage at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre by an impressive 8 per cent over the past financial year through its water management plan (waterMAP).
A Victorian government initiative, waterMAP, requires non-residential customers to assess their water use; identify inefficiencies and potential water savings; prepare an action plan to implement water-saving actions; and review and report on those actions annually.
Through waterMAP, the exhibition centre has implemented a number of water-saving initiatives reducing the flow in all taps and toilets to minimum levels; not watering lawns; introducing rainwater tanks to water native gardens and for cleaning purposes; installing new dishwashing systems and reprogramming the centres cooling towers to reduce the amount of water used when flushing the towers.
The MCEC is also charged with the responsibility and day-to-day running of the recently opened, world's one and only, '6 Star Green Star' environmentally rated Melbourne Convention Centre.
MCEC's chief executive Leigh Harry said; 'Because the convention centre has been built from the ground up with the environment top-of-mind, it will have a drastically reduced impact on all aspects of the environment right from the start, including water usage.
'The centre's design features include the first privately funded black water treatment plant in a public building in Australia which treats wastewater, rainwater and stormwater to Grade A quality for re-use and will ultimately save up to 50% on water consumption,' Leigh said.
'We have water tanks on roof spaces; solar hot water systems; waterless urinals and sensor taps; and we use an E-water system that uses water, salt and electricity to clean and sanitize on contact, meaning less water usage. We even use waterless woks in the kitchen.'
In recognition of the MCEC's pursuit of environmental excellence and sustainability, and its on-going efforts to constantly minimise its impact on the environment, the venue continues to win important environmental awards and accolades, most recently being awarded the prestigious Banksia Foundation Built Environment Award 2009 for the centre's outstanding environmental features.
Image: Melbourne Exhibition Centre
Related Article:
