There aren't many more water-intensive small businesses than the dry cleaning game. Basic maths dictates if you can cut your water consumption then your bottom line and the environment will benefit significantly.
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It's a challenge Pride Dry Cleaning and Laundry at Islington took on in 2016 when it installed the latest water efficiency technology throughout the business that has been operating since 1942.
As a result the business has gone from using 10.5 kilolitres of water daily to about half that.
"Yes, there was a cost involved in implementing these initiatives but we are saving 5.4 kilolitres in cost and that's a big thing," owner Jennie Lyons said.
"We are saving energy and that reduces the use of our steam, which reduces our gas use; the knock-on effects are significant."
Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope visited the Maitland Road business on Monday on the eve of the introduction of Level 2 water restrictions next week.
"Water is crucial to enable community life and economic activity. With the next phase of water restrictions commencing on January 20, I would like to urge small businesses to do their bit in saving this most valuable and precious resource," he said.
Level 1 restrictions were introduced in the Hunter in September, with Hunter Water partnering with businesses to achieve more than 420 million litres of water savings by finding and fixing leaks on their properties.
"With the region experiencing severe drought conditions, Hunter Water has been supporting businesses to ensure they are as water efficient and sustainable as possible, while maintaining continuity of their operations," Mr Tudehope said.
Businesses that use less than 10 million litres of water annually will be required to develop water efficiency management plants as part of level 2 restrictions. The plans will need to be implemented if level 3 restrictions are introduced.
"While our focus has been on working with our large business customers, we acknowledge that many small businesses have been playing their part to save water. As we head into the next stage of restrictions, we are now asking small businesses to identify more ways they can be efficient," Hunter Water acting chief executive Graham Wood said.
Despite the impressive savings to date, Ms Lyons is aiming for greater sustainability improvements.
"We have a few more changes to our water usage," she said.
"We have just put in solar panels, we have got solar extraction heat fans so that is cooling the factory down as much as possible and we recycle all of our plastics. We are just going to keep going."
Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
