Port Augusta Wastewater Reuse Scheme
Port Augusta, SA
Total funding: Total project cost $1.8 million, with funding of $914,500 from the Australian Government under the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns and the remaining funding provided by the Port Augusta City Council.
About the project
Port Augusta Council will divert wastewater from SA Water sewers throughout Port Augusta to a Council wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The surplus reclaimed wastewater from the winter months will be stored for summer use. The reclaimed wastewater will replace potable water currently being used for irrigation at local schools, sporting clubs and Council locations.
The works involved in this project included an upgrade of production capacity at the wastewater treatment plant, construction of treated wastewater transfer pipeline, transfer pump stations and a surface storage lagoon.
Project benefits
This project will:
- save 180 million litres of potable water each year, by providing fit-for-purpose treated wastewater to irrigate community open spaces in Port Augusta
- reduce the volume of treated effluent discharged into the Spencer Gulf and reduce/improve salinity levels of treated effluent that is discharged, and
- reduce reliance on the Murray River.
Progress
The project commenced on the 15 March 2011 and is scheduled for completion by the 30 June 2012.
Links
- Delivering improved water security for South Australians – media release 10 June 2010
National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns projects are funded by the Australian Government's Water for the Future initiative.