Americold rainwater harvesting solution

Client: Americold | Versacold
Location: Murarrie, Queensland
Scope overview: Advisory services, design, construction
Facility: Cold store
Project Profile: Download PDF

Project Description

Project scope

Wiley was engaged to design and construct a rainwater harvesting system solution, as part of the design and  construction of a new cold storage facility which would allow Versacold to service their major supermarket customers.

Site constraints meant that an overhead pipe gantry had to be built for the supply pipes to the tanks. Limited site space also meant there was no delivery space for the tanks,
therefore, they had to be delivered and constructed directly under high-voltage electricity lines. To address these  challenges, Wiley introduced fourteen 48,000L tanks and a siphonic drainage system.

Business value to client

The new rainwater harvesting system allows Versacold to recycle 690,000L from the rooftop, at a rate of 60-70,000L consumption a day in the refrigeration condensers, giving them approximately 10 – 12 days of water supply. The water harvesting project saves up to 35% of the total water consumed on site, significantly reducing ongoing operational costs. The siphonic system operates at full capacity when water is sucked or syphoned from the roof down into the drain at higher velocities than a conventional gravity system.

With Wiley’s experience and knowledge on water management solutions, VersaCold now have a more environmentally friendly and efficient process to operate their refrigeration systems.