The City of Greater Geraldton, Western Australia (WA), has developed a new irrigation system that reduces the need for scheme water.
The initiative has been awarded the 2019 Best Public Works Project (regional) less than $2M by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) WA Awards for Excellence.
Mayor, Shane Van Styn, said the Wonthella Waste Water Recycling System is enabling the sustainable use of water at the Wonthella Sporting complex, one of the City of Greater Geraldton’s premier sporting facilities.
“The salinity level in the existing groundwater bores supplying irrigation water is rising which is forcing the use of scheme water to supplement the water supply to irrigate the 15 hectare complex.
“The new irrigation system, which involves drawing water from the top of the aquifer at Wonthella at a rate comparable to the aquifer recharge at the nearby Water Corporation waste water treatment ponds, increases the benefits achieved through the tried and tested method of recycling waste water.
“Although it is fantastic to see this project recognised in IPWEA’s annual awards, it’s our community who are the real winners as the system reduces costs whilst improving water quality and the performance of the turf for our footy, soccer, hockey and tennis club users.”
The IPWEA WA Awards provide opportunity for the public works sector and local government to showcase individual contributions to the growth and wellbeing of the Institute, excellence in significant engineering projects, and innovative practices.
