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December 21, 2006
Alcoa targets 70% reduction in domestic water consumption by 2010
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Alcoa’s three operations in the Barwon Water region have spent $1million dollars on water conservation in the past two years, reduced their domestic water consumption water by 60% since 1990 and are targeting a further 70% reduction by 2010.
Working with Barwon Water, Greening Australia and the Geelong Manufacturing Council, Alcoa recently launched a new water strategy which will help achieve a 70% reduction in domestic process water consumption by 2010 and zero discharge of waste water (including storm water) by 2015.
Alcoa Point Henry Acting Smelter Operations Manager Stewart Esdale said Alcoa’s Point Henry and Anglesea operations had already reduced their domestic water consumption by 60% and he was confident that newly established Water Efficiency and Conservation teams would lower Alcoa’s daily domestic water consumption to about 400 kilolitres.
Mr Esdale said Alcoa’s operations were considered highly efficient in an industrial context, but are still relatively large users of domestic water resources (around 1%) in the Barwon Water region.
“Alcoa’s new water strategy will be supported by the findings of a $250,000 engineering investigation that will highlight the options to achieve Alcoa’s 70% reduction target and the donation of $125 000 to Barwon Water for water conservation initiatives in the Geelong and Surfcoast communities.” Mr Esdale said.
Alcoa has been working with Barwon Water for over two years and spent around $1million on a number of reduction and water conservation initiatives. These include the completion of a water efficiency and conservation audit of the Anglesea and Point Henry sites by Barwon Water and the installation and commissioning of an on-line water monitoring system at Alcoa Point Henry.
Mr Esdale said Alcoa would continue to work with Barwon Water and other key regional stakeholders to minimise water usage across the locations, maximise water harvesting opportunities, recycle water where possible and fully eliminate waste water discharge.
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About Alcoa
Alcoa of Australia’s operations at Point Henry and Portland (355 000tpa aluminium smelter) make Alcoa Victoria’s largest exporter.
In the Barwon Water region Alcoa of Australia owns and operates:
• 185 000 tonnes per annum aluminium smelter at Point Henry
• 90 000 tonnes per annum rolling mill at Point Henry
• 160 megawatt power station and brown coal mine at Anglesea
This provides direct employment for around 1100 people and approximately:
• $120 million in direct wages
• $40 million in contractor wages
• $1.2 million in rates
• $500 000 to partnerships with community organisations.
For further information contact:
Brendan Foran
Community Relations Officer
Alcoa Point Henry Smelter and Alcoa ARP
P: 03 5245 1314
M: 0404 800 346
E: brendan.foran@alcoa.com.au
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Read the 2007 Alcoa Point Henry and Anglesea Domestic Water Strategy
 more
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