Leading the Way with Sustainable Water Management Upgrade at Ipswich
Humes has delivered a major sustainability milestone at its Ipswich site, completing an infrastructure upgrade that moves the business closer to Holcim’s Zero Water Impact goal under the Health, Safety, and Environment Improvement Plan (HSE-IP).
As a division of Holcim Australia, Humes is driving smarter, more sustainable site operations. The Ipswich upgrade, part of Holcim’s Water Management Upgrade Program, is designed to significantly improve the way water and waste are managed and build resilience for heavy rainfall events.
Built Better to Protect and Restore Precious Freshwater Resources
The design uses a first flush water management approach, capturing the initial 20mm of rainfall within the wedge pits. This best practice allows for containing early runoff onsite, and aligns with guidelines from Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) and Holcim’s environmental standards.
The new system brings together key design elements to improve water management on site.
The design uses a first flush water management approach, capturing the initial 20mm of rainfall within the wedge pits.
Progress with Purpose
The upgrade supports Holcim’s broader sustainability objectives, delivering long-term environmental benefits through improved water and waste management. The project reflects Holcim’s commitment to promoting responsible site practices.
With the Ipswich upgrade completed in March 2025, the same best-practice principles are being applied at the Humes Tamworth site. As the next focus area for the Zero Water Impact objective, the upgrades will ensure continued progress toward safer, cleaner, and more sustainable operations.
Wedge pits at Humes Ipswich allow for containing early runoff onsite.
New washout pits for solid waste storage and drying at Humes Ipswich safely collect concrete waste.
Global Goals, Local Action
Holcim’s Water Management Upgrade Program is part of a broader global commitment to responsible water stewardship. These site-level improvements demonstrate how local action contributes to meaningful environmental outcomes on a national and global scale.
