WATER

Reducing fresh water use

Many of the steelmaking processes involve intense heat.  Water is critical to quench or cool products and machinery.  Water is also used for cleaning, and environmental purposes like suppression of dust.

For many of the communities in which we operate, especially in Australia, water shortages and water quality are significant ongoing issues.

As a result, BlueScope Steel is very conscious of the use of freshwater. In recent years a range of water savings initiatives have been undertaken across the affected parts of the business. A key performance indicator used is fresh water intensity (water used per tonne of raw steel manufactured). A significant reduction in intensity from 3.7 kilolitres per tonne in financial year (FY) 2003, to 2.1 kilolitres per tonne in FY2008 has been achieved.

At our largest global production facility, Port Kembla Steelworks in New South Wales, the great majority of water used is salt water.  Use of sea water from the nearby harbour relieves pressure on finite supplies of fresh water.

During FY2007, an industry-leading recycled water project was commissioned at Port Kembla Steelworks in partnership with Sydney Water.  This project recycles wastewater from across the Illawarra region and treats it for re-use in BlueScope Steel’s manufacturing operations.

The Steelworks has now used over 10 billion litres of recycled water.

The Port Kembla water-recycling project has provided a step change in both fresh water intensity and consumption. Fresh water use fell from 22,351 mega litres in FY2006 to 14,498 mega litres in FY2008. 

A similar project is being progressed at our Western Port facility in Victoria. This project will involve a partnership between BlueScope Steel, South East Water and the Victorian Government. By introducing recycled water to the site it is expected to cut fresh water consumption at Western Port by over 60 per cent. 

BlueScope Water

In addition to BlueScope Steel’s own water savings, our BlueScope Water business serves the growing Australian and international markets for water conservation products. This business has achieved a leading position as a supplier of premium rainwater harvesting solutions, as well as culvert and irrigation infrastructure products. 

BlueScope Water has manufacturing and retail operations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

The Nature Conservancy

BlueScope Steel is a member of The Nature Conservancy, a leading international conservation organisation working to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.