Using a Melbourne plumber to create a green workplace

A Melbourne-based gardening equipment importer had outgrown its offices, so instead of finding new offices to lease, it decided to hire a Melbourne plumber and build new premises that would better suit its needs.

Priding itself on its green credentials, and with Victoria suffering a long-lasting drought, the business sought advice from a local plumber on making its new premises water efficient.

Being water wise

The first suggestion by Melbourne plumber Michael Kennedy, of MK's Plumbing & Excavations, was to trap the rainwater the site received.

"Rainwater tanks can go either underground or above ground, depending on the room you've got," he says. "From those tanks we can then supply all the toilets, urinals and the sprinkler system into the garden."

As the importing business was large, he recommended that they would need 10,000-20,000 litres capacity.

Do the maths

Michael says water tanks can save a business significant money with a large garden and sprinkler system.

Given that garden equipment was their trade, it was important for the business to maintain immaculate gardens. Considering the break-even point was less than a decade and water prices were projected to rise, they went ahead.

Smart tapware

With 15 staff using two kitchens and bathrooms, Michael advised that significant water savings could be made by choosing appropriate internal fittings.

"All tapware now must be at least three-star rated," Michael says. "It's fitted with restrictors and is something existing buildings can easily change."

Wanting to do more than the minimum, the business chose to install four-star-rated taps and showerheads. While the additional expense was negligible, compared with standard fittings it saved the business:

• approximately 45 per cent in gas hot water heating costs per shower over a 10-year period
• at least 10 litres of water per shower per minute
• heaps of water at the sink, as low-flow taps cut usage from 15 litres to two litres per minute.

Other green devices

To further reduce bathroom water use, Michael suggested the installation of waterless urinals. Fitted with a cannister that seals the urine and its odours from the bathroom, these use no water for flushing.

While there was a cost to the business per stall, Michael says there are other savings to be found. "Waterless units don't have a cistern, so you save money there," he says.

Going green

Whether it's a new building or an existing one, a Melbourne plumber can save your business water and cut down on gas use, thereby saving money and boosting your green credentials.

Call a plumber in your area today to see how they can improve your premises.