Water-efficiency
The Szencorp Building is now extremely water efficient, with a second year result of water savings of 94% less than the industry average. The 5 star NABERS rating for water efficiency requires use of 350 litres/m2/annum or less. The Szencorp Building was the first Australian building to achieve a NABERS OFFICE water rating of 5 stars, with a first year water result of only 116/m2/annum (90% below the industry average).

• use of water efficient fittings (all taps, cisterns and waterless urinals)
• two rainwater tanks (2 x 2.2kL tanks)
• a greywater system treats water from two showers and 10 handbasins, mixes with rainwater and is used to flush toilets
• Reduced flow tap-ware – The basin mixer tap fittings are rated at 6L per minute flow rate.
• Reduced flow shower-heads –rated at 9L per minute flow rate.
• Waterless urinals don’t require any water to operate.
• Toilet suites used have a low volume 3L/4.5L flush.

Lessons Learnt:

• significantly less greywater has been collected than was predicted because of: lower than expected use of showers by cyclists, building plumbing only allowing water from female toilet handbasins to be diverted for greywater treatment (the majority of staff members are male)
• as a result, in the first year 21kL of potable water has been required to supplement water available for toilet flushing, compared to a prediction of zero.