Waterproofing the South

Southern Adelaide, South Australia

Total funding: $34.5 million from the Australian Government. The City of Onkaparinga Council, SA Water Corporation, Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board, Willunga Basin Water Company and Flinders University will also contribute to the project to provide a total investment of $116 million.

Project description

Water proofing the South is a localised integrated water resource management strategy for Adelaide's south. The project seeks to provide fit-for-purpose alternative water sources such as treated wastewater and stormwater for traditional sources such as mains water and groundwater so that overall water use in the region is sustainable; economically, environmentally and socially.

Project benefits

The project aims to:

deliver 3.8 gigalitres of recycled water for agricultural, viticultural and urban reuse
provide 1.1 gigalitres of additional storage which facilitates the anticipated level of reuse
reduce the demand on potable water supply for urban use
enable expansion of the viticulture industry which is currently limited by available water resource, and
help to preserve ocean ecosystems including fragile seagrass communities and reefs located in Gulf St Vincent by reducing the volume of treated effluent discharged to the Gulf.

For more information on the project elements visit: www.onkaparingacity.com/web/page?pg=2419&stypen=html

Progress

Works have commenced on all objectives of the Project. Following is an update on those elements that are largely complete.

Willunga Dam: constructed 174ML of storage (exceeding the target by 15ML), and should be available for use for the coming 2010/2011irrigation season
Christie Creek upgrade Morrow Road: the civil aspects of the Morrow Road two sedimentation ponds have reached practical completion and are now operating to reduce suspended solids from the Christie Creek catchment
Wilfred Taylor Reserve: the flood retarding basins are complete and functioning to reduce the impacts of large flow events down stream
Willunga effluent reuse the distribution system to increase the reuse of treated wastewater within Willunga is complete and awaiting commissioning
Willunga Basin Water Company’s network expansion - Since September 2007, the network has been expanded by 22km connecting an additional 39 growers and written contracts for the supply of an additional 1,130 ML reclaimed water (of thetargeted 1,800ML).

More information