News | Local Moves/Tactics
Kiwi invention brings world first simplicity to contractors managing water discharge What’s the harm in a bit of dirt in the water that contractors discharge from worksites? Besides the ecological harm – it’s a regulatory minefield for property developers, quarries, and infrastructure projects. Up until now, it’s been an issue that could not be easily, immediately or economically measured, let alone managed. Mark Tipper, a senior compliance officer for Environment Canterbury, saw firsthand the frustration and inability of contractors to get real time and cost effective data around sediment discharges. Without this data, contractors were left in a very tenuous position.
Davie Lovell-Smith director and engineer, Andy Hall says Sedimate is a cost effective and remarkably simple tool. “It’s a tool that contractors can quickly associate with and use for continual and real time monitoring. “It enables us to proactively manage compliance with sediment discharges from our developments. It is reliable and removes the doubt and delays traditionally associated with water quality management. “It’s a tool we will be using in all situations where quality standards need to be carefully managed,” he adds. Environment Canterbury also recognises Sedimate as a way for contractors to safeguard the quality of our urban streams and rivers. So how does this simple tool work?
Each Sedimate unit is individually tailored to the unique combination of soil types and discharge quality expectations at a specific “There was no simple tool or method to location. A sample of sediment laden water effectively manage discharge quality that is collected from the worksite and after provided reliable real-time data,” Mark says. laboratory testing and treatment, is used in the construction of the robust Sedimate Being an ingenious bloke, and after more than two years of development, he left his job unit. Each unit is uniquely calibrated and catalogued then delivered to the worksite. to dedicate his time to Sedimate. It’s a tool which appears simple to use – and it is, Mark It’s then a simple matter of collecting samples says. However, the intellectual property and and visually comparing them to the control science behind the small device is a world samples. Discharge samples can be gauged first and his recent patenting of Sedimate as often as required by onsite personnel. has confirmed that there is no tool like this No special training or personal protection anywhere else. equipment is required. As an additional option, collected samples can be labeled and Since its recent release onto the market it has kept as a compliance record, if required. quickly been recognised as an effective way for worksites to quickly and specifically gauge “The ability to instantly assess the quality of the sediment in their discharges of water. your discharge, at any given time and as often
Making your mark If ever you wanted a classic example of a picture being worth a thousand words, then check out the logos of iconic companies. Be it McDonald’s golden arches, Nike’s swoosh or Apple’s apple, a single glance delivers an almost complete story. It’s one image that says it all. Yes, these companies are seriously successful with massive market penetration, so no matter what logo they used, it’d still be instantly recognisable. So how do you get your logo to work for you without being a multinational behemoth? Often your logo is the first thing people see and it needs to be a design that will be recognised straight away. It not only identifies your business, but expresses your company’s values, reflects growth and conveys a certain message about your business. The distinctive logos of highly successful brands deliver instant identification by being the one thing customers remember and associate with, so getting it designed right is integral to success.
as required, provides invaluable information to the responsible manager. This tool has been extensively tested and has proven to be exceptionally reliable,” Mark says. “Equally important, it promotes confidence in the discharge quality management for the regulatory authority.” In addition, treatment systems incorporating water quality controls, such as flocculants, can be adjusted quickly according to your Sedimate gauging results.
“Abatement notices to cease work until a discharge is appropriately managed can cost tens of thousands of dollars in lost time, plus the potential costs of clean up operations. Not to mention the reputation risk,” he adds.
“This has the potential to reduce on-going maintenance costs, or avoid over-dosing or under-dosing of products such as flocculants. Treatment systems can be tailored to ensure discharge quality limits are consistently met,” Mark explains.
Sedimate is ideally suited to be used across New Zealand on various worksites including mines, subdivisions, gravel extractions and washing plants, dewatering and roadwork sites. Internationally, Sedimate is at the cutting edge of proactive water quality compliance.
The cost of each Sedimate unit is low; the cost of not getting one is high. “Poorly managed sediment discharges represent a significant risk not only to the environment, but to those responsible.
For more information contact Mark Tipper on 022 363 1009, email, aqualutions@ xtra.co.nz or visit www.aqualutions.co.nz
By Davina Richards
There are many reasons why businesses decide to change their logo; the company name has changed, it’s out of date, requires a professional touch, or simply to keep its design fresh and relevant as the company evolves and takes a new direction.
• Think carefully about the colours you want to integrate into your design. Colour can be an indicator of many things, for example, the type of industry your business is in. And customers can relate to the colour straight to your brand
An updated or new logo can signal positive change within the company and appeal to new customers. Qantas, Coca-Cola, Apple and Xerox are a few big names to have updated their logos during the years; some just giving them an evolutionary touch up, some doing a significant facelift.
• Most companies tend to stick to two or three colours because too many colours mean customers will find it difficult to absorb and memorise them
Sometimes a bit of gentle, thought-out tweaking is all that is required. So consider the following to achieve a successful redesign logo: • Firstly, decide on what exactly you don’t like about your current logo and what you want your new logo to achieve – and keep this in mind throughout the redesign process. Is this a project which needs a completely new design or just a design boost? • Determine which elements should remain. If your logo has been established since the existence of your company customers will already be loyal to your logo. So it’s worth making small but significant changes to your original design instead of spending time and money on a whole new one, this way you will avoid confusing customers
14 | November/December 2013 www.canterburytoday.co.nz
“Direct enforcement action following uncontrolled sediment discharges can have both immediate and long-lasting costs and effects. Infringement and/or prosecution fines are an immediate cost.
It pays off to research how other companies have modified their logo and recognise the difference from the original to the new version • Your logo needs to work on all kinds of media and applications whether it’s posters, business cards, internet, newsletters, or all of the above. Sometimes what looks good in one format doesn’t always look good in another
• Your logo should look just as good in small print as it does if it were bumped up to the size of a billboard on the motorway. Look at your logo in different angles and don’t forget to check that it looks great in black and white as well as in colour, and see how your logo is placed on different background • Getting all artistic may seem like a good idea, colours too but over complicating it will overpower your • Get feedback on your design. Images can logo and customers will struggle to identify look different to individuals or groups and with your brand may pick up on things you may not have • Redesign and redesign again, as you may thought about before. Test your final design not get what you want the first time around. before shouting it from the roof tops to save Work through plenty of ideas and be embarrassment and unnecessary editing experimental. There’ll always be someone after you’ve launched your new look who doesn’t like your idea, but trust the advice from a professional graphic designer – • Finally, when you know you’ve got the right design spread the word. Announce they’re professional for a reason it in press releases, emails, newsletters, • Know your competition – to get a better or a company event, to build awareness understanding of what logos work well, and to inform existing customers of the research companies in your industry and look change. It shows you care about loyal for common themes and colours; use this as a customers, increase recognition and reins guide for your own design. in new interest. • A logo needs to be simple and clear, if you want your design to be effective. The key to a memorable design is sticking to the basics - be careful not to bombard it with too many things at once. Avoid going over the top with graphics, colours and special effects