Boomaroo Nurseries and Barwon Water partner to save water

Boomaroo Nurseries, a commercial nursery that supplies over 300 million wholesale vegetable seedlings, has saved an estimated 40ML of drinking water per year thanks to their clever project and funding from a Barwon Water grant.

In 2022, the nursery successfully applied for a Business Water Grant of $25,000, which they put towards a water recycling plant at their Lara site. The plant now provides consistent recycled water quality and removes excess nutrients, complementing the water recycling, treatment and storage facilities already in place at the site.

The new plant means that Boomaroo now uses runoff and rainwater, reducing reliance on precious drinking water supplies and saving a significant volume of water for the region.

The water recycling plant guarantees the availability of high-quality water, allowing the nursery to draw over 70 percent of peak water requirements from recycled water, reducing the reliance on drinking water.

Barwon Water General Manager Customers, Community and Strategy Laura Kendall said the project was a great example of what could be achieved when an environmentally-minded business made use of a Business Water Grant from Barwon Water.

“The grants are designed to help high-water using businesses save our precious drinking water resources and save themselves money at the same time.”

“Well done to Boomaroo Nurseries for coming up with such a great water saving project.”

Boomaroo Nurseries CEO Peter Smith said his business proactively pursues new ways to lessen its environmental impact.

“At Boomaroo Nurseries, we care deeply about our water use and we are always seeking to save water where we can. With our new recycling plant, we are taking a significant step towards our environmental sustainability goals.”

Thanks to Barwon Water’s Business Water Grant, it made the decision to invest in this equipment much easier.”

Ms Kendall encouraged businesses to consider whether Barwon Water’s Business Water Grants might help them achieve a project to reduce their consumption of drinking water.

“The grants are available to business customers from all industry sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, hospitality and health for projects that improve water efficiency or achieve permanent water savings.”

“Some grants are up to $25,000 for eligible businesses.”

The current round of Business Water Grants closes on 30 June.

For more information about how a grant can help your business save water, visit https://www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/saving-water/business-water-grants