Project to help Horsham stay green
Regional water managers are working closely with Horsham Rural City Council to identify ‘greening’ opportunities involving an expanded use of recycled wastewater.
Work on a $10-million water-recycling project in Horsham is scheduled for completion within two years, providing the regional city with new cost-efficient and readily available alternative supply.
As a result, projects such as turning Horsham Public Cemetery into greenbelt parkland in Horsham North and a watering guarantee for various sporting reserves and community parklands and gardens during dry weather are among potential winners in the development.
Confirmation of $4.9-million in Federal Government funding, along with matching State Government money through Agriculture Victoria and Gwmwater, provided a go-ahead for the Horsham Agriculture Smartwater and Integrated Water Management Project.
The project is about building and using latest infrastructure and technology to dramatically reduce salinity and turbidity issues limiting the use of recycled water in Horsham.
Guaranteeing greater certainty for thirsty research projects at Agriculture Victoria’s Horsham Smartfarm at Vectis anchors the project.
It also opens the door for greater flexibility in Horsham district urban and industry access to high-quality non-drinking water.
Gwmwater managing director Mark Williams said while the project’s primary focus was providing high-quality recycled water for agricultural research, Horsham overall would be a major beneficiary.
“In the past we have been limited by available infrastructure to provide high-quality recycled water for Horsham’s green areas rather than using treated drinking water from storages,” he said.
“High-quality recycled water represents a sustainable alternative supply to provide additional water security to the municipality.”
Mr Williams confirmed Gwmwater had worked with the Horsham council to identify re-use opportunities, providing both ‘sustainable and cheaper access to water’.
“It’s possible with appropriate infrastructure that we could supplement existing water supplies for Horsham Racecourse and local sporting grounds and parks in line with relevant Environment Protection Authority guidelines,” he said.
“Recycled water could even be blended with stormwater or a rural supply to open opportunities for alternative water supplies for Horsham Public Cemetery and school ovals, particularly during dry periods when many of those green areas tend to struggle.”
Mr Williams said the project would generally help with management of excess treated wastewater at the Horsham plant.
He said the project, part of a National Water Grid construction program, would also provide a case study for application of similar projects in other locations.
Gwmwater, Agriculture Victoria and the Department of Environment Land, Water and Planning, with support from Grains Research and Development Corporation, Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnerships and Wimmera Integrated Water Management Forum are involved in the project.
The Commonwealth’s National Water Grid funding will allow for construction of a dissolved air-floatation plant; a reverse-osmosis plant and a power substation to support 24-hour electricity needs; two storage dams; an automated precision flood-irrigation system and highly controllable spray irrigators for leaf-soil wetting; and new connecting pipelines, pump stations and other associated infrastructure.