Whyalla is leading the way with water recycling and water harvesting initiatives to reduce reliance on the River Murray. As an area that receives an average of just on 271 millimetres annually, Council has shown an active commitment to the future direction of water conservation since the early 1990s.
Council began using stormwater recycling and aquifer storage initiatives in 1992. The project involved stormwater from the catchment in the eastern end of the city and wastewater from OneSteel’s pellet plant being pumped to a storage dam at the golf course for irrigation purposes. Subsequently, a set of stormwater retention basins were built at the old Whyalla Aerodrome site, forming the Whyalla Wetlands.
In 1996, Council commenced research on underground water storage to avoid the high evaporation rate in Whyalla. A total of 13 bores have now been sunk for production and observation purposes and a dam capable of holding 25 mega litres has been constructed.
A series of injection and extraction trials have also been conducted, indicating that the system will be successful. The dam will eventually store up to 70 mega litres of stormwater in a salt water aquifer and the water will be reused for the irrigation of parks and reserves.
This is the first time this technology has been attempted in a “hyper saline” aquifer. Since 1998, Council has also used and promoted the benefits of sub surface drip irrigation on sporting grounds, parks and reserves. The two most successful examples of this technology are at local sporting venues that were almost completely void of turf and dangerous to play on. The sub surface systems that have now been installed use a third less water than conventional irrigation systems and provide a complete coverage of turf. Maintenance requirements have also decreased significantly, and the venues can be watered at any time, even while the grounds are in use.
SA Water is now in the process of establishing a $14.3 million treatment plant adjacent to the underground Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) site. The plant will enable effluent water to be recycled for use in parks, reserves, median strips and the golf course. Approximately 600 mega litres will be supplied annually through a pipeline for reclaimed water installed earlier this year, which connects with the Whyalla Golf Club. Plant trials are still being conducted, with only partial quantities of water supplied to the golf course being treated effluent.
Council has also budgeted $88,000 in 2006/2007 to develop a centralised irrigation system. Based at the Infrastructure Depot, the system will improve both water and labour efficiencies of Council’s facilities. The system will allow Council to have instant access to all aspects of irrigation installed in parks and gardens throughout the City from one location. Maintenance will be enhanced and the watering regime can easily be modified at any time to take into account rainfall, community usage, sprinkler efficiency, and so forth. Environmental monitoring is included at each site, allowing for more effective water use.
Whyalla’s most recent initiative arises from BHP’s plan to expand Olympic Dam following with the current exploration boom. The plan includes a proposed desalination plant that would turn approximately 120 mega litres of seawater to fresh water per day. However, the proposal is still in its initial stages and there is some concern about its environmental impacts.
Whyalla will continue to demonstrate how a community at the end of the Morgan to Whyalla pipeline not only survives, but can implement innovative ways to reuse water and reduce water use. Council has a clear vision, which over time and in conjunction with extra funding opportunities, it aims to achieve.
