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Every drop counts. Star Water’s projects to clean stormwater for reuse in Sydney?

CEO Chris Rochfort shares

Since 1998, Star Water has initiated projects using Advanced Biofiltration Technology (ABT) to clean stormwater that flows into Sydney Harbour and to recover water resources for beneficial reuse. These projects spreading from Sydney inner west to eastern suburbs are established with Star Water’s Advanced Biofiltration Technology.

The projects were designed to improve the quality of stormwater contributing to waterways and coastal waters and provide an attractive natural feature. Star Water’s engineered biofiltration media Reactive Filter Media® (RFM®) was deployed to all the projects to meeting clients’ requirements on assets, pollutants removal and stormwater reuse. Below are three successful case studies.

1. Stormwater Treatment and Reuse (STAR) Systems Application, Manly, Sydney

   Stormwater Treatment and Reuse (STAR) System at Manly Beach is an integrated system for stormwater capture, treatment and reuse, containing Star Water’s renowned RFM®. The STAR systems combine biofiltration treatment for run-off pollutants and underground water storage modules, providing non-potable water supply for small- or large-scale urban, commercial or industrial developments. Manly STAR system saves the local council AU$ 50,000 p.a. on water cost for green land watering. STAR systems are based on water sensitive urban design and sustainability principles using minimal energy for treatment and maximising the use of ecological components in manufacture.

2. Street Rain Gardens Application

   Star Water dedicated to the Sydney City Rain Garden retrofit and construction projects in multi-locations. RFM® were applied to these small scale vegetated bioretention systems (Rain Gardens) to improve stormwater quality and support substantial plant growth. Some gardens were under monitoring for water quality which proves good removal of suspended solids, nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorous), metals (e.g. copper, lead, zinc) and pathogens from effluent. Sydney experienced extreme drought period for over 12 months from mid-2017 with a few weeks’ high temperatures (up to 40°C), Rain gardens with RFM® were still thriving with no watering activity.

3. Bioretention Basin Application

   Leichhardt Council was to improve the quality of local waterways by demonstrating quality stormwater management practices. Star Water collaboratively designed and supplied customised RFM® for this bioretention basin which located at Whites Creek Valley Park at the corner of Smith and Gillies St, Annandale.

   The project involves conveying stormwater collected from one of Leichhardt Councils’ Annandale drainage sub-catchments and channelling the contaminated stormwater into an infiltration basin located in an adjacent park. The integrated grey infrastructure of the bioretention removes gross litter, grass clippings, animal droppings, and infiltration material (RFM®) removes various soluble contaminants including heavy metals and hydrocarbons etc. The infiltrated water is then collected in a layer of drainage cells made from recycled plastic and directed back into Whites Creek Channel. The system is fully gravitationally operated and requires no power supply and consequently is energy efficient. The environmental significance is that the channel discharges into Rozelle Bay that flows into Sydney Harbour.

STAR Water has been selected as the finalist in the “2018 Innovation and Fortune China” Annual competition and “Inno-investment Future” Investor Summit held in Chengdu, China from 5th – 6th December. This event is organised by the federal Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Municipal Government in Chengdu. STAR Water was selected from the Sydney Division as one of the three outstanding overseas projects to be invited to the Chengdu finals. Competing with US, Canada, Singapore and Chinese companies, STAR Water also received the “Most Popular Award” voted by media and the public.

For the investor summit, Chairman Mr. Eric Love presented STAR Water’s innovative technologies and solutions in sponge city and ecological construction to more than 500 investors and technology leaders from around China. As the innovation hub in western China, Chengdu attracts entrepreneurs from all over the world. As the innovation leader in the environmental industry, STAR Water places Chengdu in the western sector of its operational strategy in China, combining technology with local conditions to create a sponge-based eco-city solution for the city.

STAR Water has been selected as the finalist in the Environmental Solutions category for the 2018 Premier of NSW Export Awards. The Export Awards celebrate NSW business excellence in international trade and recognise exporters’ contribution to the NSW economy.

The winners of the Export Awards will be announced at a prestigious Awards Gala dinner on 24 October at the Star in Pyrmont, NSW. Winners in the National Award categories will represent New South Wales at the Australian Export Awards National Ceremony on 27 November 2018 in Canberra.

For more information on the awards, visit : https://www.export.org.au/global-trade-updates/eca-announces-2018-premiers-nsw-export-awards-finalists

On 18th March, STAR Water was awarded second prize in The 2nd China Innovation and Entrepreneurship International Competition (Sydney Division) and ranked number one in the “Material Science and Energy Conservation” category.

The international competition which attracted 1,400 projects worldwide (169 projects from Australia) is sponsored by the municipal government of Shenzhen in China. It provides opportunities to global companies to develop projects in Shenzhen as well as offer policy support for talent incentives, industrialization incentives, technology finance and project incubation. The total investment amount that arises from the competition is RMB $20 billion.

Star Water is thrilled to be one of the speakers at the 2nd Annual “Channels for Innovation Summit” held in Las Vegas, Nevada on 6th October, 2017. This event will showcase the results of successful pilot projects, including perspectives from both the end-user and the solution provider.

Speakers and panel sessions will highlight the positive impacts from adopting innovation, debate the challenges and opportunities for funding innovation, and explore the various partnerships technology companies have taken part in to further their commercialization efforts (successes and failures).

For more information on the summit, visit : https://waterstart.com/event-recap-2017-channels-innovation-summit/