Fulton Hogan is making further strides to harvest water in Auckland. Here’s Safety, Quality and Environmental Advisor Allan Wright with four of eight new 30,000 litre rainwater storage tanks destined for Stevenson’s new concrete batching plant being built adjacent to the existing asphalt plant in Silverdale.
Rather than being treated through a vegetated swale and sandfilter to remove contaminants prior to entering the Weiti River, up to 400,000 litres of rain water will be stored to meet the majority of the batching plant’s needs. Only after extreme rain events will water now be discharged from site.
The water will also be used for dust suppression in summer and general plant use. A key source of this water will be newly installed arched canvas roofs over aggregate storage bins. In addition to being a significant source of water, these minimise the energy required to pre-dry aggregates before use in the manufacture of asphalt. Additional rain will be harvested from the plant’s main office and workshops roofs. A win/win/win for the environment, concrete and asphalt plants.