Most petroleum companies are reinventing themselves into diverse energy providers in various forms including fossil fuels, biofuels, and in some cases wind, solar and wave energy to their customers. They are also trying to polish their corporate images and decrease their environmental footprints by launching pilot projects and through clean energy research and development.

It is under these efforts that Shell is working to reduce its footprint in Australia through the Barwon WaterShell Australia Water Recycling Project.

Shell's Geelong refinery in Australia will take waste water from the refinery, and sewage and non-potable water from nearby homes and businesses and recycle it for reuse at the refinery and for watering neighborhood spaces like a local soccer field.

The recycled water operation is expected to recycle and produce 2000 mega liters, or just over 25,000 gallons of wastewater into industry and landscaping water. That supply will help to reduce the refinery's water demand on Geelong: the refinery uses approximately five percent of the total area's water supply. The reclaimed water will make up for 95 percent of the refinery's current water usage.

By reusing water, the refinery will also reduce the amount of discharged water sent out to local Geelong waterways, thereby reducing pollutant inputs.

\ Now that funding for the $63 million project has been identified, the project is scheduled for construction in 2009.

Alongside energy supplies, freshwater supplies are of utmost importance in drought-plagued parts of the world such as Australia and are available in increasingly limited supplies. Recycling water is a promising method for decreasing the need for and strain on freshwater resources, and reducing pollution inputs. Way to go Shell for stepping outside the well and looking to reduce environmental impacts holistically.