 In 2005, the Steel family, like many other families across Australia made a change. Rather than a ‘sea change’ or a ‘tree change’ – moving to another town for a new lifestyle - this family opted to stay in Brisbane and create their own ‘water change’.
Water Tactics is a Brisbane based, family business and the first business of its kind to be Smart WaterMark approved. Initially, the company provided supply and installation of domestic irrigation systems and specialised in drip irrigation. Now, the company offers a full range of services including rainwater tank installation, maintenance and cleaning.
Water Tactics is one of a range of products and services to receive the Smart Approved WaterMark in the latest assessments, bringing the total to over 230 domestic and commercial products and services that have been approved to use Australia’s independent water conservation label.
Recent Approvals
Other recently approved products and services include Deep Drip from Underhill International, EcoRain from Maccaferri, Rainbird SMRT-Y and WR2, Thermacycle from Enviroflo Solar, Washbox, NGIA Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme, NGIA EcoHort and the Irrigation Australia Limited Irrigation Efficiency Training Course.
“Our philosophy is to show other families that there are smart ways to save water – and continue to save water long term”says, Managing Director, Jim Steel.
“Receiving the Smart WaterMark verifies that our tank cleaning and maintenance service is not only necessary for keeping tanks clean, but also proves that it is possible to clean a rainwater tank without empting it – saving loads of water.”
“With relaxation of water restrictions in South East Queensland, and dam levels high, the sense of urgency may abate, but water security and conservation continue to be pressing issues for all urban areas” says Julian Gray, CEO of Smart WaterMark. “Our recent NewsPoll survey shows that 40% of households in South-East Queensland have a rainwater tank installed. The potential saving to our potable water supply is significant but only to be realised if tanks are properly maintained and utilised to optimal capacity”.
With over five years’ experience in the specific urban tank environment, and offering a holistic service including automatic reminder for maintenance , Water Tactics is one local family business flowing forward. Other products and services to gain approval from Smart WaterMark include:
For the garden and landscaping.
Deep Drip from Underhill International. Deep Drip, from Underhill International. Deep Drip tree watering stakes aid in the watering, fertilisation and aeration of root systems. This product reduces water use by targeting the roots, decreasing evaporation. Deep Drip can be used in conjunction with a garden hose, flood irrigation, or in conjunction with your automatic landscape drip system.
EcoRain from Maccaferri. Maccaferri’s Eco Rain is a sub-surface geotextile irrigation mat. Pressure compensated dripping tubes supply water to the irrigation mat to provide even watering to the root system. Eco Rain has been successful in saving water in semi-arid climates, golf courses, football stadiums, sloped areas and other landscaped facilities.
Rainbird SMRT-Y and WR2 Rain Bird Australia have two irrigation products approved in this round, bringing the total of Rain Bird products with Smart WaterMark certification to nine. The WR2 Series Wireless Rain/Freeze Sensors and SMRT-Y Soil Moisture Sensor are both irrigation controllers, with the ability to interrupt the irrigation system based on soil moisture, preticipation or low temperature. The WR2 Series Wireless Rain/Freeze Sensors allows irrigation systems to be interrupted if rain or low temperature is sensed. Specifically designed for 24VAC residential and commercial irrigation systems. SMRT-Y Soil Moisture Sensor is a soil moisture sensor that adds closed-loop feedback to irrigations systems, conserving water by controlling the on-off function of the system after taking soil moisture readings every 10 minutes.
For the home.
Thermacycle from Enviroflo Solar. A hot water recirculation device, pumps cold water from the hot water delivery pipes back to the hot water source, saving usually wasted cold water from the hot water tap.
Commercial.
Washbox from Geosentinel – An equipment wash station that uses technology to sustainably wash tools for commercial work sites. After use there is no waste water to dispose of.
Notes for Editors
Smart Approved WaterMark is Australia's water saving labelling program for products and services which are helping to reduce outdoor water use. The Smart WaterMark is run by the Water Services Association of Australia, Irrigation Australia, the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia and the Australian Water Association supported by The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts with funding from the Australian Government's Water for the Future - Water Smart Australia Program.
For more information: Mr Julian Gray, phone (02) 9223 3322 or 0407 406 973 or visit www.smartwatermark.org |
