Dalby secures long-term water supply ...

Media Release by Dalby Town Council:

Dalby Town Council

27 April 2006

Dalby secures long-term water supply

In a decision that will secure Dalby's long-term water supply, Dalby Town Council last night unanimously agreed to accept a funding agreement through the Australian Government's Water Fund to proceed its $10 million Dalby Water Supply Redevelopment Project.

Council's decision is subject to securing State Government funding to match Federal funding of $3.33 million and negotiating a suitable supply contract with Arrow Energy.

In an Australian first, Council's new water strategy will achieve a highly reliable base water supply for the town with the four-year project including:

• Construction of a purpose built desalination plant with the capacity to treat 4 million litres a day of coal seam methane water;

• A water recycling scheme that will ultimately recycle 100% of the town's wastewater for use on major parks and sporting fields; and

• A demand management strategy.

The cost of the $10 million project will be funded with $3.33 million from the Australian Government to be matched by $3.33 million from the State Government, $1.3 million from Arrow Energy and $2 million contributed by Dalby Town Council.

Dalby Mayor Cr Warwick Geisel said the aim of the project is to reduce the impact of the region's seasonal conditions on Dalby's water supply by using water resources that would otherwise be wasted.

"The overall benefit of Dalby's innovative new water strategy is the efficient use of our precious water resources that will ultimately improve the liveability and amenity of our growing town. Finite resource, even coal seam methane water, will not last forever. By undertaking this project we hope to better educate the community of the complexity and expense of harvesting water for drinking."

The Mayor also cautioned that while the project is technically and financially feasible, it is not without its challenges.

"Council, in partnership with Arrow Energy, have been operating a pilot plant for the last six months and these results have helped us to determine the costs and treatment processes required to operate a full-scale plant. The bottom line is that the cost of treating water is expensive and water tariffs are expected to increase. However, as a result of this project Dalby will be in the unique position of having a long-term reliable basewater supply."

Council's spokesperson for water Cr Barry O'Shea said Dalby residents should be very proud of Council and its staff for developing the innovative strategy and gaining significant funding to undertake the project.

"Council and the residents of Dalby owe a huge thanks to our dedicated team of water treatment officers, led by utilities manager Terry Fagg. From 170 applications received nationally by the Australian Water Fund, Dalby is one of 11 communities to be selected to benefit from the funding."

It is expected that by early 2008 the new desalination plant will be operating to full capacity and construction of the recycling scheme will be complete by mid 2010.

See - Dalby's smart use of water resources.