Protecting the environmental credentials of a popular beach resort
Water is simple, pure and a basic requirement of life.
But it takes constant, fine-tuned management and years of deep experience in water and sewage management and a dedicated, passionate and alert approach to monitoring to keep it that way.
One of our valued clients, a popular resort, had in place a sewage treatment operation that used irrigation to land as a dispersal method for treated wastewater.
Even though systems like this are fairly common, getting the balance of nutrients right for the specific soil type, drainage rate, and types of vegetation is a very highly tuned operation requiring design by experienced environmental engineers and scientists. Once an irrigation plan is in place, taking into account flow rates, nutrient content, spread of nutrients over an area, and rate of absorption by soil and plants, the sustainability of that system is highly dependent on regular checks and analysis because things can change over time.
And just as it is with household and yard maintenance, small things like uncleared guttering or roots in a drain can turn into more serious and expensive issues when left unchecked for too long.
Being a tourist resort, their focus always will always lean towards ensuring they have sufficient occupancy, maintaining the care and comfort of their guests, and all front-of-house matters. What is going on in the ‘back of house’ seemed to be taking care of itself. To complicate things, businesses like this have been under pressure during COVID-19 and funds are therefore reserved for what seem to be only the most pressing needs.
However, over time, some of the irrigation pipes had started to block, causing overwatering in a particular area, and under-watering elsewhere. At the time Simmonds & Bristow discovered this issue (we had not been engaged to conduct regular checks before being called out on another equipment breakdown matter), there was a real danger that groundwater could have become contaminated, and the resort was in danger of being responsible for environmental damage to the pristine coastal environment that was part of its attraction for guests.
An outcome like this would have put the resort in jeopardy, as it would have been in breach of its license to operate. For a resort, where the beauty of the surrounding natural environment is seen as part of the attraction for guests, this can mean quite serious reputational damage.
Guests who value a location where they can enjoy nature are unlikely to remember their host well if they have been known to take that environment for granted.
As it happened, we managed to alert management to the issue in time, explain the potential s, conduct all the necessary tests and fix the problem, all the while communicating openly with the Department of Environment; letting them know the resort was on the front foot in ensuring compliance. This approach worked well for them. Due to proactivity, honesty and openness in communication, our client was not penalised and did not suffer any further action from the regulatory authorities, with whom they have remained onside.
Now, Simmonds & Bristow are working with the resort to see if they can get a preventative maintenance plan in place. This could turn out to be a very reasonably priced “light touch” operation that supports their onsite staff and delivers ongoing peace of mind. They would be made aware of any potential issues well before they become problems and could plan and budget for timely maintenance in a cost-effective way with no nasty surprises.
We can provide strong, sensible, practical, financially sound advice and solutions that:
- Get it right
- Repair before replacing
- Minimise down time
- Incorporate your long-term goals
- Help you meet the terms of your Environmental Authority.
There is no water treatment operation, scenario or remediation issue Simmonds & Bristow haven’t seen or dealt with.
Even the simple measure of ensuring you have a regime of monthly checkups in place can prevent very expensive issues and environmental remediation that is not only far more costly that regular monitoring; it can place your organisation under unwanted, inconvenient and completely unnecessary scrutiny by the Department of Environment for years.
