A ‘gap in the market’ identified – saving businesses 80-90% water usage

No-one likes what appears to be a gross waste of water by businesses such as plant nurseries, wineries or poultry processors. There are complaints to the EPA, who then have discussions with business owners, who then need practical solutions. Systems do exist that can improve water and therefore business efficiency and Jan Stephenson is busy from word of mouth promotion of his Agflow Water Systems Pty Ltd ‘package’.

WHAT IS THE PACKAGE?
(1) Jan’s 30 years experience in ‘moving water’;
(2) Knowing the right mix of pump systems/water treatment/filtration to solve problems;
(3) An initial onsite meeting: self-help advice – how to start addressing problems;
(4) A system tailored to suit specific needs and budget;
(5) Guidance on estimated life of system and power saving measures;
(6) A quote within a few days;
(7) A hand picked team of plumbers and electricians;
(8) On site training in new system;
(9) Ongoing maintenance program.

There is no huge consultant’s report which the businessowner then has to decipher and implement – Agflow provides a complete package. Jan enjoys troubleshooting and designing water systems that work. He set up the business 4 years ago when he realised the range of suppliers he relied on to set up his systems didn’t fully understand the processes involved – they were reluctant to complete installations on this basis, and to maintain and service them. Agflow is based at Research, in Melbourne’s outer NE.

WHO DOES HE DEAL WITH?
Nurseries, wineries, livestock farmers, food farmers, flower growers, olive growers dealing with:

-the need to recycle water;
-water supply quality issues;
-water borne disease or bacteria;
-the need to turn off the bore pump;
-effluent management issues with the EPA;
-a cost effective water supply for stock;
-excessive nutrient loss on paddocks;
-planning solar systems.

SOME INTERESTING POINTS:
-Variable speed pumps that only pump when needed can save around $2000 pa in power bills. Trouble shooting existing systems and applying modern technology can also save dollars over time.

-Big wholesale nurseries can use 500,000 litres of water on a 40 degree day which will run to waste. Jan designs recycling/filtration systems where water drains to a large underground tank with a submersible pump and is pumped back to a dam for re-use over a 2 day cycle.

-For nurseries, disinfection/water treatment is very important for as many as 20% of all plants can die in one day from water-borne disease and bacteria carried on birds’ feet. Agflow systems treat the water for clarity so UV can be used efficiently to kill bugs.

-There is also a big demand for water treatment in the hospitality industry and in wine production. The Victorian Winemakers Association and the EPA have developed a Winemakers Environmental Management Kit www.epa.vic.gov.au.

WHAT HURDLES HAS AGFLOW FACED?
The big hurdle seems to be right now. Jan feels he needs to ‘get off the tools’ to manage business growth, but he’s aware he still needs to meet clients onsite and follow up his installation team. He uses his website www.agflow.com.au as a referral point for clients.

BACKGROUND
As a kid Jan had a fascination with water… siphoning it, making water powered rockets. After an ‘average’ time at school he discovered he could really do maths when he went to trade school at South Melbourne Tech. He remembers learning to make tools with incredible accuracy and he remembers incredibly low wages!

Following his fascination with water Jan has worked for Onga Pumps where he learnt the mechanics of water – what pressure means, what’s involved in moving water, understanding friction and water hammer. He also spent 8 years in water treatment with AMIAD Australia Pty Ltd. He has built, repaired, installed and sold pumps and learned to select the right products to suit a client’s needs.

CONTACT: Jan Stephenson Ph/Fax: 03 9437 0006 Mobile 0408 442960
Email info@agflow.com.au Website www.agflow.com.au