Skellerup turns tide on water use

A new manufacturing plant in Wigram purpose-built by Skellerup, is on track to deliver at least a 90 per cent water saving.

Project and Compliance Manager Nick Steel explained that water is used primarily for cooling and temperature control of the rubber processing equipment. All of the water now comes from the city water supply so it was essential to reduce consumption from previous levels.

Project and Compliance Manager Nick Steel says the reticulated water cooling system works on a similar principle to that in a motor vehicle.

“On the old site at Woolston, the company was drawing about 550 million litres of water a year from the city water supply and two artesian wells. At Wigram, we expect to draw only 40 million litres.”

Mr Steel noted that the greatest savings have been achieved through a new fully-reticulated, closed chilled water system. Once the 5km of stainless steel pipes throughout the factory are full of water, the water is cooled and reused so there is no need to draw any more in.

Mr Steel likens it to a cooling system in a typical motor vehicle.

“Of course our plant is much larger and more complex but the underlying principle is the same. We pipe the water around as a cooling agent, then run it through heat exchangers and refrigeration units so it can be reused.”

Christchurch City Council Head of Three Waters and Waste John Mackie praised the company’s commitment to savings.

“It’s the biggest turnaround I’ve seen. They’ve gone above and beyond what they needed to do from a compliance perspective.”

Mr Mackie said any commercial user who wanted to talk about water — whether reducing consumption or waste discharge — could get in touch with the Council.

“We want to help people be more efficient with water. If you’ve got a big bill, talk to the water team.”