Water Tips: Business

BWEP : BUSINESS WATER EFFICIENCY PROGRAM

Growing water demand and climate change present major water resource management challenges for the Cairns region.  Our water security depends on the wise management of our regions water resources.

Businesses demand a large proportion of our regions water supply and have a significant role to play in conserving water and using water efficiently.

By implementing water efficiency initiatives and projects now, your business may be able to:

• Save money
• Reduce water consumption
• Minimise your impact on our regions natural environment
• Build your profile in the community as a water efficient business

What is BWEP?

The Business Water Efficiency Program is a financial incentive scheme designed to assist businesses in regional Queensland to save water by implementing water efficient practices.

BWEP is funded by the Queensland Government, managed by SEQWater and delivered locally by Councils and water service providers.

The program aims to save 8 million litres of reticulated water per day across regional Queensland.  The target for the Cairns region is to reduce business water use by 1 million litres per day by March 2009. 

$15 million has been allocated to regional Queensland to help businesses to save water.

Who can apply?

To apply for BWEP funding through the Cairns Regional Council, your business must meet the following criteria:

• Your business is located in the Cairns Regional Council local government area
• Your business consumed more than 1 ML of water in 2005-06
• You are the property owner or their nominated agent or lessee
• You are a private business

What types of funds are available?

The BWEP offers two types of funding – rebates and subsidies.

• BWEP Rebates – assistance to businesses to meet the cost of replacing existing shower heads, taps, toilets and clothes washing machines with water efficient models
• BWEP Subsidies – funding assistance to businesses towards the cost of a water audit and implementing water efficiency projects

Businesses are eligible to apply for more than one subsidy or rebate.  Each application will be assessed individually.

How do I apply?

Step 1: Identify your water efficiency projects for BWEP funding

Step 2: Complete and submit your application to Cairns Regional Council

You may submit your BWEP applications by:

Mail: PO Box 359, Cairns Qld 4870

Email: l.johnson@cairns.qld.gov.au

Fax: (07) 4044 8228

Step 3: BWEP funding applications are assessed and approved/not approved by the BWEP team at SEQWater

Step 4: Businesses implement projects and report completion to Cairns Regional Council

Step 5: Payments are made for approved applications from the BWEP team via Cairns Regional Council

Support and assistance is available to businesses throughout the BWEP process from application to payment

To contact the Cairns Regional Council BWEP Coordinator, telephone (07) 4044 8269 or the Business Water Efficiency Program team, telephone (07) 3011 5155 or visit www.seqwater.com.au/bwep