Toowoomba water worries washed away by new pipeline ...

The Australian:

Toowoomba water worries washed away by new pipeline

30 December 2009

After a divisive debate over recycled water and years of watching its dam levels dwindle, Toowoomba will soon have what it has been desperate for: water security.

With its three dams at their lowest levels -- just under 8 per cent full -- the ever-expanding regional Queensland city's water woes will be alleviated with the opening of a 38km pipeline at the end of next month. The pipeline will pump water from Brisbane's largest water storage, Wivenhoe Dam, currently 63.5 per cent full, past the rural township of Esk, to Toowoomba's largest and newest dam, Cressbrook.

For residents and authorities in the drought-ravaged city, it's a relief a long time in coming.

Toowoomba Regional Council deputy mayor Paul Antonio, who is in charge of water services at the council, said the opening of the pipeline would signal that the city was still open for business, as gas and coal mining operations continue to develop in the nearby Surat Basin.

"It means water security for our expected growth until at least 2050," Mr Antonio said yesterday at Toowoomba's nearly empty Cooby Dam. "Toowoomba is in a growth corridor here. We have a lot of potential for development. The pipeline means that those negative things that came out of the water debate a couple of years ago can be forgotten."

The pipeline was built after a bitter fight over recycled water that divided the city. More than 60 per cent of residents rejected the idea of using recycled water to solve the city's water woes. The $187 million steel pipeline -- funded by the state government and the council -- will have the capacity to deliver water at a rate of 14,200 megalitres annually.

See - The Australian - Toowoomba water worries washed away by new pipeline.

Why you should never listen to politicians on global warming ...

When it comes to the cars parked in the garages of our Federal parliamentarians, saving the planet for the kids and grandkids doesn’t get a look-in.
...

A complete list of every one of the 243 vehicles selected by our Federal Parliamentarians obtained under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act reveals a car fleet as close to rev head heaven as the bureaucracy will allow. When our Federal MPs take the drivers seat, it seems they instantly transform into climate change denialists.

See - The Punch - Pimp my MP.

Do as we say not as we do ...

Toowoomba's bill for Wivenhoe dam water due soon ...

19 December 2009

A decision on what Toowoomba ratepayers would have to pay for the water that will flow through the Wivenhoe Pipeline was imminent, Premier Anna Bligh said yesterday.

Ms Bligh said the Government was in close talks with the Toowoomba Regional Council, however, she could not specify when the negotiations would finish.

“I know that people are impatient, but getting this right is really important for locals,” Ms Bligh said.

The Premier would not apologise for the escalating water costs for Toowoomba ratepayers, insisting the Government and TRC were working “to keep those costs as low as possible”.

Mayor Peter Taylor said council sent a letter to Natural Resources Minister Stephen Robertson on Thursday to outline the “final details” of the agreement.
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See - The Chronicle - Bligh not sorry for water costs.

SEQ - no compensation for workers poisoned by recycled water ...

11 December 2009

Council workers and contractors were refused compensation after drinking contaminated recycled water at the controversial $80 million Pimpama Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Workers, who also showered at the plant, were exposed to the dirty recycled water for nine weeks and were at high risk of contracting hepatitis A and giardia.

In the second incident of water contamination on the Gold Coast in a week, a total of 375 workers, contractors and visitors to the plant were exposed to the Class D recycled water, which is the worst recorded water quality.

Documents leaked to The Bulletin reveal workers were exposed to the recycled water from September 3 to November 11 in 2008.

During the same period, senior Gold Coast City Council officers accepted an award in Vienna, championing the wastewater plant.

According to Queensland Health and the Health Services Australia, out of the 341 workers interviewed, a minimum of 73 people became sick from the water.

Both reports were confidentially released in March and showed 'no similar events in Australia recorded in published literature'.

Class B recycled water is used for some agricultural uses (pasture irrigation), Class C is for open space irrigation (public access restricted) and Class D is used on non-food crop irrigation.

The water mix-up was a dangerous precursor to last week's cross-connection contamination, which pumped diluted Class A+ recycled water in to 630 Coomera homes.
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See - Goldcoast.com.au - No compensation for poisoned workers.

Toowoomba Regional Council updates dual flush rebate ...

Replacement of Toilet Suite rebate

27 October 2009

Council provides a $100 rebate towards the purchase and installation of a 4.5 litre / 3 litre dual flush toilet suite for residential properties supplied by a reticulated water supply within the Toowoomba Regional Council boundaries.

From the 1st November 2009, the eligibility requirements for the dual flush toilet rebate have been expanded to include the replacement of the older and larger dual flush toilets which have a 9 litre/4.5 litre or greater capacity, as well as continuing the rebate for the replacement of a single flush toilet. These toilets need to be replaced with a 4.5 litre / 3 litre (4 star WELS rated) dual flush toilet suite.

Application forms can be obtained by visiting your local TRC Service Centre or can be download from the Toowoomba Regional Council website.

See - Toowoomba Regional Council - Dual Flush rebate changes.

New Toowoomba water restrictions ...

New water restriction regime once pipeline operational

8 December 2009

Toowoomba water consumers can expect a slight easing of water restrictions when the Wivenhoe pipeline becomes fully operational early next year.

Residents will go from no outdoor watering to bucket watering of gardens for three hours, three afternoons a week once the pipeline is fully functioning in late January, early February. The consumption target will remain 140 litres per person per day.

Water Services portfolio leader Cr Paul Antonio said our current water restriction levels based on a numbering system (ie Levels 1 to 5) would be replaced by the Queensland Water Commission regime of four levels from ‘permanent conservation measures’ through to ‘extreme level’ restrictions.

“The new terminology describing the water restriction levels will be the same across South East Queensland. This makes good sense and will reduce confusion.

“However, we will not be on the same water restrictions as Brisbane. Toowoomba consumers will be on the highest level (extreme) restrictions compared with Brisbane on ‘permanent conservation measures’, the lowest level.

“So basically it means we will adopt the same restriction regime as Brisbane but we will be on a different level.

“Brisbane water storages are sitting at around 70 percent compared with Toowoomba at around 8 percent so we can not afford to relax our water restrictions any further.

Cr Antonio commended Toowoomba water consumers for their adherence to some of the country’s toughest water restrictions over the last five years.

“We have been averaging around 125 litres/person/day for the last two years and will still be aiming to keep domestic consumption below 140 litres.

Consumers are reminded that Level 5 water restrictions will still apply until the Wivenhoe pipeline is fully operational.

The slight easing of water restrictions under the extreme level also applies to the installation of new turf; special consideration for older people or those with a disability when watering their gardens; and the topping up of private swimming pools.

Council will be undertaking an extensive community education program about the new water restrictions prior to the Wivenhoe pipeline becoming fully operational.

See - Toowoomba Regional Council - New water restriction regime once pipeline operational.

SEQ recycled water misconnections continue ...

Health fears over dirty home water

5 December 2009

Residents in more than 630 homes at Coomera have been told not to drink tap water after recycled water was mistakenly piped to them.

The Gold Coast City Council has issued notices to the homeowners after a resident reported a 'funny taste' in the drinking water.

A council spokeswoman last night confirmed 'diluted recycled water' had found its way into drinking water supplies.

The homes are supposed to be receiving recycled water and drinking water in separate pipes following the opening of the $80 million Pimpama Wastewater Treatment Plant on Tuesday.

The plant supplies 'Class A-plus recycled water' which can be used for car washing, gardening, flushing toilets and external household cleaning.

However, the council says it is not suitable for drinking, cooking or cleaning, personal washing, clothes washing, swimming pools or spas, or pets and livestock.

It was not known how long the contamination had gone undetected.
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See - Goldcoast.com.au - Health fears over dirty home water.

Also see - ABC News - Recycled water mix-up leaves foul taste.

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