Flow Control Valves

City of Boroondara Victoria

: Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre Source: City of Boroondara

Synopsis

The City of Boroondara conducted Water Efficiency Assessments at four of Boroondara’s recreation and leisure centres and at the Camberwell Market. These Assessments were undertaken by contractors on behalf of Yarra Valley Water Limited, as part of its Commercial Water Efficiency Program.

Leisure Centre assessments were undertaken at:

Northern Pool, Balwyn
Ashburton Pool and Recreation Centre
Kew Recreation Centre
Hawthorn Aquatic Centre

Preliminary audits were finished in June 2002. The Assessments found that water use appliances in the buildings, such as vanity basins, toilets, sinks and showers, had flow rates much higher than recommended standards or than new technologies can deliver. It was reported that cost savings through reduction in water consumption could be achieved if appropriate water saving devices, such as flow control valves were installed. Predicted water savings ranged from 15% to 23%, with predicted cost savings at the leisure centres ranging between $1,593 and $22,543. Potential annual savings of 1,443KL and $2,706 were identified at the Camberwell Market. Installation of flow control valves (supplied by Yarra Valley Water) in the buildings finished in late March 2003.

Process

Several stallholders at Camberwell Market noticed increasing water costs following the installation of their individual meters. The Market Manager approached the City of Boroondara asking for water audits to be arranged. A budget had previously been obtained by the Strategic Planning Department to undertake water audits at the four leisure centres. The Preliminary Water Efficiency Assessments (audits) were conducted with aims to:

Assess and measure a sample of the water using facilities on site;
Quantify approximately the water use; and
Identify potential water efficiency options, savings and costs of installation of any recommended water efficiency measures and the estimated pay back periods.

The audits completed at the Camberwell Market and Boroondara’s recreation and leisure centres recommended flow control valve installation to significantly reduce water consumption. Managers of the market and leisure centres indicated interest in the installation of the valves. However there was no budget allocated forthe work and interruption to leisure centre operations was a concern.

When drought restrictions were introduced, Council's Water Environment Team (WET) considered that installation should proceed quickly. The project gave the Council an opportunity to lead by example. WET approached relevant department managers and promote the installation on the basis that it could be undertaken as part of Council’s utility budget. Participation was agreed upon and relevant departments financed the flow control devices.

: Installation of Flow Control Valves.

Roles

Yarra Valley Water contracted the water auditors and supplied the flow control valves, as part of the Yarra Valley Water commercial water efficiency program.

City of Boroondara, Strategic Planning Department financed the water audits and is monitoring water savings.

City of Boroondara, Leisure and Culture Department financed flow control devices at the leisure centres and the Economic Development Department financed the Camberwell market.

City of Boroondara, Infrastructure Services Department oversaw Yarra Valley employees installing flow control devices.

Issues and Lessons Learnt

Installation of flow control devices by Yarra Valley Water occurred at night (after 10pm) in the recreation centres, as the water could not be turned off during the day. This reduced inconvenience to the centre users and did not affect the business operations of the centre. User comfort and amenity were two important issues when considering the introduction of water efficiency measures.

The installation of 322 flow control valves into the hot and cold taps solved the problem of water temperature and pressure fluctuations in the showers at the leisure centres.

Costs

Cost of preliminary audits for each building was approximately $500.
Cost of a full audit on one leisure centre was $4,600
Total cost of flow control devices and installation for the four recreation centres was approximately $8,000.

About Flow Control Valves

Flow control valves, supplied through Yarra Valley Water were installed. The period for payback in savings typically ranges from six to 15 months for most installations. In high use areas such as swimming pool change rooms, public toilets and kitchen sinks, payback periods as low as 1.5 months have been obtained.

Flow control valves were installed either in the seats of taps or inline for the City of Boroondara. They provide constant flows through an appliance over an operating range of 10 to 100 metres delivery pressure. Correctly installed flow control valves will minimise if not eliminate temperature fluctuations and water ingress in showers.

The Future

The City of Boroondara is planning further water audits for its municipal offices, civic centre and sports pavilions in 2004. Dual flush toilets will be installed into all Council buildings over the next five years. An action plan will be developed as part of Boroondara’s participation in the ICLEI-A/NZ Water Campaign™.

For further information about this project

contact:
Strategic Planning Department.
City of Boroondara
Private Bag 1
Camberwell Vic 3124
Ph: 03 9278 4815
Fax: 03 9278 4802
Email: SarahEggleton@boroondara.vic.gov.au
Or
Yarra Valley Water Limited
9872-2400

This case study was prepared with assistance from the City of Boroondara and Yarra Valley Water, July 2003.

: Typical Seated Flow Control Valves Source: Yarra Valley Water

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