Municipal Services

HOW DOES THE RESORT COLLECT ITS WATER?

The water catchment for the Resort, Dam Valley, is located in a protected valley above the village. The village is supplied by surface water from rainfall runoff and snowmelt. Runoff in the catchment flows through sphagnum moss, which acts as a filter for suspended particulate matter. A small weir captures water and directs it into two 200,000 litre concrete storage tanks which service the village. These tanks are filled by gravity with overflow discharging back into the headwaters of the Tanjil River – Eastern Branch.

IS THE WATER GOOD TO DRINK?

The water at Mt Baw Baw is treated and is perfectly safe for drinking (in fact, we think it’s some of the best). A purpose-built containerised water treatment plant was installed in May 2022 providing the village with clean clear drinking water year round. The system utilised two phases of filtration to remove organic matter followed by disinfection through ultraviolet light and chlorination. Drinking water treatment is monitored and sampled regularly to ensure compliance with Public Health regulations. At times you may notice the smell of chlorine in the drinking water, it is important that there is chlorine residual in the distribution network to ensure continued disinfection until it reaches your tap!

The drinking water treatment plant is located next to the snowsports building in the ski bowl, the container has been designed with four large viewing windows to allow visitors to see the treatment process first hand! Check it out when you next visit Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort.

HOW YOU CAN CONSERVE WATER?

Water is abundantly available during Winter and Spring however during Summer and parts of Autumn (February-April) water availability in the catchment reduces. During this time water saving measures may be put in place to avoid running the village supply dry.

Lodges operators;

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

Commissioned in May 2023, the Resort is operating a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant for processing of sewage from Baw Baw Village lodges and public amenities. The treatment plant is housed within a large shed within close proximity to the Village built for the alpine climate to allow for efficiencies in operational management of the plant.

The plant utilises a membrane bioreactor system which combines the use of membrane filtration and biological treatment. Sewage is then further treated using ultraviolet light and sodium hypo (chlorine) to ensure EPA licenced quality parameters can be met.

Designed to achieve Class A recycled water quality, the plant ensures sewage is treated to the highest quality possible to allow for future reuse opportunities.

SEWAGE NETWORK

Each lodge in the Village is no longer operating on an independent septic system, meaning it is more important than ever that we are being conscious of what goes into our system. As the sewage network is now transporting solid waste not just septic effluent there is an increased risk of foreign matter that does not belong in the sewage system causing blockages that may result in disruption to services or damage to critical assets.

Everything you flush down the toilet or wash down the drain ends up in our sewer network. Items that aren’t biodegradable, can cause blockages and costly damage.

Wipes, sanitary items, paper towel, cotton buds, tissues and nappies should never be flushed down the toilet.

Via our kitchen sinks, grease, fats and oil from cooking can cause fat build up contributing to blockages, these substances must be wiped out with paper towel prior to cleaning dishes.

So, STOP IT. DON’T BLOCK IT. Think before you flush things down the toilet or wash it down the sink.

WHAT IS MT BAW BAW DOING TO REDUCE ITS WASTE?

At Mt Baw Baw we are continually aiming to improve our environmental impact.

The Resort currently operates a two stream waste management system.

Aligning with the states transition to 4 waste streams, there will soon be an introduction of glass and food organics services on Resort (beyond 2024).

The resort operated collection through 7 hutches and 8 stainless-steel dual-stream enclosures around the village with more rolled out in the future.

These hutches and bins will improve separation of waste and drastically reduce the amount of waste escaping into the environment.

We invite customers, stakeholders and businesses participate with our new waste management system. This will assist in making it easier for our team to successfully achieve the goals associated with the mountain’s environmental responsibility. With an initial goal of 40% recycling, we will also be looking to further divert waste from landfill by introducing more separation streams in future years.

HOW CAN I HELP?

Lodge guests and operators; waste is required to be bagged and placed in either the closest waste ‘hutch’ or the closest ‘lodge waste only’ wheelie bins. Please put all recycling from lodges in clear plastic bags and general waste in black bags. Waste that is not in a black or clear bag will not be disposed of. All bins and hutches will be checked and cleared on a regular schedule. Please do not place lodge waste in the day visitor bins. Please also ensure bags are light enough to be lifted by hand.

Day visitors; please recycle where possible by using the bins provided. Yellow wheelie bins and stainless steel bin enclosures are located around the village. When skiing or using the walking trail network, please carry your rubbish with you until you find a bin.

WHAT CAN I RECYCLE?

Just like at home, comingled recycled consists of:

^ Please remove lids from all plastic bottles.

For larger cardboard such as boxes, they must be flattened and placed in the nearest garbage hutch or dedicated cardboard bin. General waste consists of any waste that cannot be recycled, excluding hazardous waste and building materials.

The resort cannot support food organics systems such as composting at this time. Given the unique and important environment we’re in, composting risks introduction of unwanted plants within the Village.

These waste posters can help you understand what you can and cannot recycle during your stay at Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort.