Vic: Ships cut drinking water use while in Melbourne

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2007
Vic: Ships cut drinking water use while in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, April 4 AAP - Ships visiting Melbourne have slashed their use of fresh water
by 28 million litres so far to do their bit for the environment.

The Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) has introduced voluntary measures for saving
drinkable water in all ships that visit the Port of Melbourne.

The measures, in line with water restrictions introduced in Melbourne on January 1
this year, encourage ships to limit their use of potable water to a maximum of 25,000
litres during their visit.

Potable water is used mostly for drinking, bathing and food preparation, but some ships
use it for industrial and health and safety purposes, such as washing deck areas.

PoMC chief executive Stephen Bradford said in the first three months of this year,
ships had saved 28 million litres of potable water.

It is a 75 per cent reduction on water use on the same time last year and equivalent
to the combined annual water usage of almost 150 Melbourne households.

"PoMC supports the state government's commitment to water conservation and we have
carefully considered how we can best contribute to responsible water usage," Mr Bradford
said.

"Water is essential for shipping services, particularly when there can be many days
sailing between ports, but the community also expects industry to play its part in water
conservation."

Ships are encouraged to reduce water consumption through water audits, identification
of water conservation opportunities and changes to current practices including minor capital
works.

Some vessels, such as cruise ships, have been granted exemptions to the 25,000 litre
limit after providing written justification for the extra drinking water.

Melbourne moved on to stage 3a water restrictions on April 1.

The measures reduce weekly residential garden watering times, but allow for businesses,
including commercial car washes and nurseries, to continue operating.

AAP ce/gfr/jm/de

KEYWORD: WATER VIC SHIPS

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