Water Restrictions – what can I do?
Victorian Uniform Drought Water Restriction Guidelines
Click here to download the Victorian Uniform Drought Water Restriction Guidelines.
Further to the VACC Bulletin "Vehicle Washing in the Vehicle Sales and Repair Sectors"
The following information has been received from the Water Industry and the commercial car washing industry that may assist motor traders who have decided that the best option for the business in washing vehicles for display, or as a final detail for pick up on used cars sold, is to complete and lodge a "Commercial Car Wash – Stages 2 and 3 Water Restrictions, Water Conservation Plan Report Application.
The Water Industry has advised that the application required is available from the following links.
Please refer to your water company’s website:
City West Water: www.citywestwater.com.au/about/docs/CarWashWaterConsReport.pdf
South East Water: www.southeastwater.co.au/sewl/upload/document/CarWashWaterConsReport.pdf
Western Water: www.westernwater.com.au
Yarra Valley Water: www.yvw.co.au/NR/rdonlyres/4B57677F-74FB-47A1-A416-138AB2B1FB52/0/CarWashConsReport.pdf
Further information is available at www.carwashwater.com.au
The water industry also advises that an application must adequately demonstrate that the following key requirements have been met:
- A self assessment has been carried out.
- An independent audit of processes and operations has been carried out.
- Appropriate signage is to be/has been produced and displayed where the work is carried out.
- A Water Conservation Plan that ensures this level of water use is maintained or improved over time, is available and accessible to the water supplier at all times.
Before the completion and lodgement of the Application, and in the self assessment process and preparation of the Water Conservation Plan, motor traders need to ensure that the Application has every chance of receiving approval from the water supplier. In this respect, careful attention should be given to the self assessment process and that the procedures adopted will satisfy the scrutiny of the auditors. The auditors will follow the same procedures when they visit your premises.
Audits can be arranged through Ecowise Environmental. Contact details can be obtained through www.ecowise.com.au
If you feel that professional assistance is needed in the completion of these tasks, then you may choose the full service options available to you through the car wash association on www.carwashwater.com.au, which includes a self assessment guide, or consider an offer from the Dealer Image Group to handle the water conservation plan from start to finish, including the audits. Both these options attract a fee for the service, and as well, the motor trader would need to commit to the Dealer Image Group System.
In doubt, have a talk to your local water supplier.
Again, VACC believes that each member should carefully examine all options available and seek the solution that best suits the business, with the underlying policy of social responsibility and water preservation. For further information please contact: Brian Savage 9829 1151 bsavage@vacc.com.au