SAVEWATER! says in the period between May 2008 and May 2009 the Dugine Native Plant Nursery in Mackay, Queensland cut its potable water use by 100%.
According to Savewater!, the nursery has cut town water use from 312,000L annually to zero, which is one of the reasons they are a finalist in both the ‘Built Environment & Gardens’ and ‘Business’ category in its 2009 awards.
Savewater! says the nursery previously was reliant upon delivered potable water and blended it with bore water, but after the installation of eight rainwater tanks, potable water is not needed. It now uses the previous water system to irrigate.
Dugine Native Plant Nursery is said to be further improving its water efficiency by constructing a wetland and sediment trap, where all waste water will go before exiting the property.
Nursery & Gardens Industry Australia (NGIA) says the nursery and garden industry is dependent on the availability of water for use in the production and care of plants, and Dugine Native Plant Nursery is demonstrating sound management of the finite resource.
Savewater says the winners will be announced at the awards Gala Ceremony on 9 October 2009.