Adapting to climate change is the main driver of $14 billion in urban water industry infrastructure projects now underway to develop new sources of water, upgrade wastewater systems and cater for burgeoning urban population growth, the annual Water Report Card shows.
The Report Card released by the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), outlines the $30 billion investment in a portfolio of new water sources which commenced in 2006 and will conclude in 2013 when Adelaide and Melbourne's
desalination plants begin operation.
This massive investment coupled with community awareness of water efficiency, has set Australia at the international forefront in managing urban water systems.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Water, The Hon. Dr Mike Kelly officially released the WSAA Report Card in Canberra this evening.
Much capital expenditure relates to developing new water sources to mitigate risks associated with climate change and to "cut reliance on rainfall run-off," the Executive Director of the WSAA, Ross Young, said at the launch (See Appendix).
"Relying on rainfall is a high risk strategy in an era of climate change," Mr Young said.
Mr Young noted that capital city residential water consumption continues to fall.
"
The extent to which water efficiency has been embraced by urban communities is one of the great social changes that have occurred in Australia over the last decade," he said.
"Had consumption held at 2002/3 levels, a further 210 gigalitres - equal to the annual Melbourne household water use - would have been consumed in 2007/8."
"Australia leads the world in implementing water efficiency programs in cities and towns."
Mr Young said the Australian community had responded by embracing and developing a very strong water conservation ethos that grew as the spectre of climate change turned into a harsh reality.
"
The link between climate change and falling storage levels and the resultant imposition of often inconvenient and harsh water restrictions is very clear to most Australians," Mr Young said
"It is because of water scarcity that Australians view climate change as a 'here and now issue rather than a future issue that can be left up to the next generation."
"Australian businesses also responded to the water security challenge," Mr Young added.
"Business consumption in capital cities and major regional centres fell 4.6% in the five years to 2007/8 despite significant economic growth."
"The water industry was well advanced in preparing to operate in a carbon constrained world, being an early adopter in purchasing renewable energy, maximising green energy production from bio-gas and implementing measures to lift energy efficiency."
The Report noted that continuing investment in recycling schemes has lifted the volume of water recycled by 118% since 2002.
A major challenge for the urban water industry is managing more complex systems involving multiple water sources.
Managing wastes discharged into wastewater systems in an era of recycling is important, with the WSAA prepared National Wastewater Source Management Guidelines assisting in handling this risk.
The Report noted that although some cities had received welcome rain that has assisted in replenishing depleted storages, other cities have experienced severe dryness which has broken all previous records. This demonstrates the highly variable nature of rainfall in Australia and this variability is predicted to become more pronounced as a result of climate change.
The report also noted that:
" Canberra storages were now down at 43%
" Melbourne had its driest ever January-June period reducing storages to 26%, with some regional Victorian cities even worse off
" Adelaide had another dry year, reducing runoff to the Adelaide Hill dams and lifting reliance on the pipeline from the Murray River to 85% of Adelaides water needs
" Perth is in a third decade of a drying climate and despite steady July rain, follow up spring rain is urgently needed.
The report noted that desalination is just one water source being developed to mitigate climate change risks, the others include recycling schemes, accessing ground water, aquifer storage and recharge, constructing water grids, building or improving dams and storm water recycling.
"
Climate change does not just affect inflows to dams, but touches all aspects of urban water management including the higher risk of bushfires destroying water supply catchments, reduced flows in wastewater systems and more severe storms that cause flash flooding," Mr Young said.
The large capital investment programs will result in high water prices for city dwellers in the future. Prices are expected to double in some cities over a 4-5 year period.
Media contacts:
Ross Young, Executive Director, WSAA 0418 354 632
Bob Lawrence, Jackson Wells (02) 9904 4333 / 0428 280 222
The Water Services Association (WSAA) is the peak body of the Australian urban water industry.
The Associations 33 members and 29 associate members provide water and sewerage services to approximately 15 million Australians and to many of our largest industrial and commercial enterprises.
WSAA was formed in 1995 to provide a forum for debate on issues important to the urban water industry and to be a focal point for communicating the industry's views.
WSAA encourages the exchange of information and cooperation between its members so that the industry has a culture of continuous improvement and is always receptive to new ideas.
Embargo: 7.30 pm (AEST) Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Appendix:
An outline of the capital investment being undertaken in major cities by the water industry. The projects currently under construction or to start shortly have a total value exceeding $14 billion.
Adelaide (Total: $2.5 billion)
Adelaide Desalination Plant
Construction of a 100 GL per annum plant has commenced to diversify and secure South
Australia's water supply and reduce reliance on the River Murray and Mt Lofty Ranges.
Approximate estimated total cost: $1.83 billion
Christies Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant - Capacity Upgrade
Project to increase capacity to meet the demand of population growth and to improve environmental outcomes. Approximate estimated total cost: $272 million
Glenelg to Adelaide Park Lands Recycled Water Project
Project to supply recycled water to irrigate Adelaide park lands and reduce the discharge of treated
effluent into the gulf. Approximate estimated total cost: $75 million
Southern Urban Reuse Project
Project to increase the capability to supply reuse water to the southern suburbs (south of Onkaparinga) Approximate estimated total cost: $63 million
Bird in Hand Wastewater Treatment Plant -Nutrient Reduction
Project to reduce nutrient levels and increase reuse of wastewater by improving effluent quality.
Approximate estimated total cost: $39 million
South East Queensland ($3.5 billion)
Western Corridor Recycled Water Project
This is the largest advanced water recycling project in the Southern Hemisphere and the third largest in the world. Purified recycled water from the project is currently supplied to the regions three major power stations (significantly reducing demand on dams) with the potential to supply industrial and agricultural customers in the future as well as supplement drinking water supplies for south east Queensland if required. Approximate estimated total cost: $2.6 billion
Northern Pipeline Interconnector
Stage 1 involved a 47 km pipeline from the Morayfield Reservoir at Caboolture to the Landers Shute Water Treatment Plant at Eudlo. Stage 2 is a further 48 km pipeline connecting Stage 1 to
the Noosa Water Treatment plant. It is in its final planning stage with an estimated completion date of the end of 2011. The project also includes the construction of five pumping stations, one balance tank, two water quality facilities and augmentation of an existing water quality management facility. The entire Northern Pipeline Interconnector will be reverse flow on completion. Approximate estimated total cost: $1.8 billion
Toowoomba Pipeline
The 38 km pipeline is a raw water transfer main designed to deliver up to 39 ML of water a day
directly from the Wivenhoe Dam to Cressbrook Dam when required. Also, the project includes construction of two pumping stations: a large 1850 kilowatt high - lift pump on the bank of Wivenhoe Dam and a smaller low-lift pump suspended on a jetty over the dam. With Toowoomba's three dams averaging 10% full over the course of this year, the completion of this project is critical for Toowoomba's future water supply. Approximate estimated total cost: $187 million
Brisbane City Council (No costings)
-Fairfield Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) - Upgrade
This new plant will replace the existing Fairfield WRP and will include new inlet works, a new two-
basin membrane bioreactor, a new centrifuge and new biosolids handling facilities. Gibson Island WRP-Optimisation and capacity upgrade. The capacity of the Gibson Island water reclamation plant is currently restricted due to the capacity of the existing clarifiers. Two new final settling tanks and ancillary structures will be constructed to lift the plants hydraulic capacity to 50 ML a day.
-Toowong transfer main replacement
Construction of new transfer and reticulation water mains to allow a transfer main built in 1892 and some of Brisbane's oldest reticulation mains to be removed from service. The scope includes 3,095 metres of new water mains.
-Woolloongabba sewerage catchment augmentation
This augmentation project will improve the capacity of the inner city sewerage system to cater for a population that is forecast to increase by 118% by 2031. The scope includes construction of 6,898 metres of new sewers.
Bulimba Creek trunk sewer upgrade - Padstow Road to Coora Street
This upgrade will improve the existing trunk sewer to ensure it has the capacity to cater for current
and future flows. Costs for these projects were not available.
Sydney ($2.4 billion)
Kurnell Desalination project
The project is to build a desalination plant that can supply up to 250 ML of water a day (i.e. up to 15% of Sydneys water needs) and a pipeline to link the plant to Erskinville along a route that minimises its impact on residential areas. Anticipated completion date is earlymid 2010.
Replacement Flows project
This project to construct a new recycled water plant at St Marys and distribution pipeline will
replace 18 GL of dam water each year for environmental flows from Warragamba Dam to the Hawkesbury-Nepean River with highly treated water flow for river health. Construction
is underway and is anticipated to be complete by early 2010.
North West Growth Centre First Release Precinct
This project includes construction of approximately 23 km of drinking water, new drinking water
reservoir, recycled water pipelines and sewers for the first release precincts in Riverstone, Alex
Avenue and North Kellyville. Design and pre-construction work is underway. Construction is
planned to start in July 2009 and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2010.
Freemans Reach, Glossodia and Wilberforce Sewerage Scheme
The scheme will provide around 1,660 properties with sewerage connections, while aiming to
protect the environment and reduce risks to public health. Construction has commenced and is
anticipated to be completed by mid-2011.
Hawkesbury Heights and Yellow Rock Sewerage Scheme
This scheme will provide around 340 properties with sewerage connections. The scheme aims to protect the environment and reduce risks to public health. Construction has commenced and is
anticipated to be completed by mid-2010.
All five projects: approximate estimated total cost: $2.4 billion
Melbourne ($4.8 billion)
Wonthaggi Desalination Plant
The 150 GL per annum plant will provide a secure water source for Melbourne, Geelong and, via other connections, South Gippsland and Western Port towns. The plant will be capable of providing around a third of Melbourne's annual water supply from a source that is independent of rainfall.
Approximate estimated total cost: $3.5 billion.
Northern Sewerage
The construction of approximately 12.5 km of new sewers will increase the capacity of the sewerage system for the growing northern suburbs. It will also improve the health of the waterways flowing into the Yarra River by protecting against the damaging impact of sewage overflows. Approximate estimated total cost: $650 million
Sugarloaf Pipeline
The project involves constructing a 70 km transfer pipeline linking the Goulburn River near Yea to
the Sugarloaf Reservoir in Melbournes north-east and will deliver 75 GL per annum of water for
Melbourne. Approximate estimated total cost: $618 million
Melbourne Main Sewer Replacement
Melbourne Water is replacing a section of the existing Melbourne Main Sewer. The new main
sewer will travel about 2.3 km from Docklands, crossing the Yarra River upstream of the Charles Grimes Bridge, and into Port Melbourne. Construction of the project began in late August 2008 and is due to be completed in 2012. Approximate estimated total cost: $184 million
Eastern Treatment Plant - Tertiary Upgrade
The upgrade of the Eastern Treatment Plant to treat wastewater to Class A standard began in
2007 and is expected to be completed in 2012.The upgrade is a key initiative in the Governments plan to secure future water supplies. Up to 135,000 ML per year of treated water is potentially available from the plant for recycling in new housing estates, irrigation and industry, reducing flows into the ocean at Boags Rocks near Gunnamatta Beach. In accordance with the Eastern Treatment Plant upgrade works approval, Melbourne Water has completed a range of scientific studies into the
impact of treated effluent discharges at Boags Rocks.
Approximate estimated total cost: $ 313 million
Perth ($1.6 billion)
Southern Seawater Desalination Plant
A 50 GL per annum desalination plant will be constructed at Binningup, south of Perth. The project includes the desalination plant and transfer assets to integrate the project into the Integrated Water Supply Scheme serving Perth and surrounds.
Approximate estimated total cost: $955 million
Beenyup Wastewater Treatment Plant Amplification
The amplification will upgrade the treatment and disposal capacity from 120 to 135 ML per day to
meet customer growth in the catchment. Approximate estimated total cost: $219 million
Alkimos Wastewater Treatment Plant Stage 1 and Quinns Main Sewer
This Treatment Plant is required initially to treat wastewater from the north west corridor and the area immediately adjacent to the Alkimos plant. A 20 ML wastewater treatment plant will be constructed to treat initial demand. The Quinns main sewer, site works and the ocean outfall are being constructed for ultimate capacity. Approximate estimated total cost: $336 million
Woodman Point Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge Treatment
The current wastewater inflow at Woodman Point is 120 megalitres and the sludge treatment
facilities have reached the design capacity. The upgrade will ensure biosolids are suitable for
disposal to land applications. Approximate estimated total cost: $92 million
Groundwater Replenishment Trial
The trial involved the construction of a reverse osmosis treatment plant to treat wastewater
from the Beenyup Wastewater Treatment Plant, followed by injection into the Leederville aquifer.
The plant will enable research to be undertaken which will allow regulators to consider the
endorsement of a full scale scheme and will also address the technical knowledge needs of the
Water Corporation and the industry nationally. Approximate estimated total cost: $55 million
Canberra
Enlarged Cotter Dam
This project involves building an enlarged dam wall downstream of the existing one to increase the Cotter Dam's capacity from 4 GL to around 78 GL; a 20-fold increase.
Murrumbidgee to Googong Transfer
The Murrumbidgee to Googong Transfer project involves pumping 10 GL of water from the
Murrumbidgee River at Angle Crossing within the ACT and transferring it through an underground pipeline to Burra Creek in New South Wales.
Googong Dam Spillway
This remediation will bring the structure into line with modern design and safety standards
Approximate estimated total cost: $56 million
Murrumbidgee River Pumping Station
The project is designed to improve both the Murrumbidgee River pump station's inlet and pump
capacity up to 150 ML per day. Approximate estimated total cost: $26 million
Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre - Secondary Treatment Upgrade
The treatment facility requires upgrading to cater for future growth in population and load.
The project includes three secondary clarifiers, additional bioreactor tanks and associated pump stations and chemical dosing facilities. Approximate estimated total cost: $72 million.