Page 1204 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 22 August 1989
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Water Recycling
Mrs Grassby: I refer to a question without notice asked by Mr Prowse on 6 July 1989 regarding the use of recycled water to defer the next water supply dam for the Territory.
The use of recycled water from the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre was investigated some 10 years ago. It was found that the cost of developing a new water supply system using a dam on either the Cotter River or the Gudgenby River was less expensive than the cost of developing a water recycling system.
This is because of the cost of the second water reticulation system required for the recycled water. The current water reticulation system represents the total capital cost of the water supply system.
The operation and maintenance cost of pumping and reticulating water from Lower Molonglo on a similar basis to the current water supply system would be some three to four times more than at present.
The use of recycled water and second-class water from Lower Molonglo and ACT lakes and rivers is undertaken where this is found to be economic. For example the Royal Canberra Golf Course is irrigated using water from Lake Burley Griffin; effluent from the Fyshwick Sewage Treatment Works is used on the Duntroon playing fields. ACTEW is currently negotiating to use effluent from the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre to irrigate the Belconnen Golf Course and the Parks and Conservation service is investigating the use of second-class water for the Yarralumla Nursery and grass irrigation adjacent to lake sources.
It is worth noting that effluent released from Lower Molonglo represents only some 2 per cent of the total flow in the Murrumbidgee River entering the Burrinjuck Reservoir. The effluent is therefore available for reuse in the Murrumbidgee River Irrigation Area. The water is not lost simply because it is returned to the river.
I also draw attention to the 1989-90 budget initial statement presented to the Assembly by the Chief Minister on Tuesday, 25 July 1989. In her speech Ms Follett announced that the ACT Government planned to upgrade existing irrigation systems in ACT parks to eliminate overwatering and achieve better resource management. An amount of $986,000 has been allocated in the proposed new capital works program for the project.
ACT Electricity and Water has assured me that it will continue to actively support both the recycling of water and conservation to delay as far as practical the next water supply dam.
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