Sandra Jefford and Wilco Droppert own and operate Wilandra Farms, an organic dairy farm in the Gippsland region of Victoria. However, despite the farm’s success, its irrigation and dairy operations were using about 500,000kWh of energy per year. Energy costs were high and irrigating the farm was a costly and time-consuming process. In 2019, the couple sought an energy audit […]
Coliban Water has completed slip-lining works onf a historic 90-year old pipeline in Eaglehawk, Victoria, as part of ongoing works to enhance water security for rural customers in the area. The pipeline stretches over two kilometres, extending from Upper California Gully Road to Butts Road. Coliban Water Manager Infrastructure, Corey Bourne, said the works are part of an upgrade which […]
Over 100 years since its inception, Brisbane’s S1 Main Sewer underwent an ambitious seven-year upgrade. By harnessing the power of innovation, Urban Utilities and its delivery partner, Interflow, have given new life to a hidden but essential piece of infrastructure. Deep under Brisbane’s bustling CBD lies the city’s oldest and largest sewer pipeline. Averaging 1.5m in diameter, the S1 Main […]
With a growing population, a changing climate and the desire to improve the liveability of South East Queensland front of mind, Unitywater has harnessed the power of science, technology and Mother Nature to implement key infrastructure projects that will help reduce the utility’s operating footprint. Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Daniel Lambert, expands on some of the projects and […]
This past summer, communities along the River Murray in South Australia experienced flooding not seen in decades. Harnessing a combination of proactive planning, extensive infrastructure assessments and a hands-on community engagement approach, SA Water was able to largely maintain essential services throughout this generational natural event, including an uninterrupted drinking water supply. Peaking at around 190GL per day at the […]
New figures, released by SA Water, indicate a significant decrease in 2022 of sewer blockages caused by unflushable objects in South Australia. A group of unflushable objects, led by wet wipes, cooking fats and oils, and even weird and problematic items such as superhero costumes, were responsible for 1,746 blockages over a six-month period in 2021 – during the same […]
The second stage of Central Highlands Water’s Ballarat Sewer Build is now well underway, crossing the Yarrowee River last week. The $25 million sewer project will provide for another 100 years of growth and safe sanitation for the city, with 6km of duplicated sewer running from Ballarat East to Ballarat South. Stage 1 of the project – completed in early […]
Unitywater is trialling an oyster reef restoration project, for the first time in Australia, to determine the effectiveness of oysters in filtering nutrients in waterways and to assist Unitywater in achieving its net zero sustainability goals. The restoration project – in partnership with the University of Sunshine Coast, Healthy Land and Water, and OzFish Unlimited – will explore the effectiveness […]
The Laramba Water Treatment Plant has officially opened, with the use of ion-exchange technology to treat drinking water and reduce naturally occurring uranium levels to well below Australian Drinking Water Guideline (ADWG) levels – increasing accessibility to clean water for remote communities. Northern Territory Chief Minister, Natasha Fyles, said, the state government is committed to improving living conditions for remote […]
SA Water has commenced the installation of a new water main in Port Vincent, which stretches for around 990m and runs under Lime Kiln Road, Kent Road, Alma Street, and Correll Street, as part of a four-year, $155 million water main management program by SA Water. SA Water’s General Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure, Amanda Lewry, said these works will involve […]
In 2020, Franklin Harbour District Council implemented a new 23km gravity-fed water scheme to supply up to 200kL of water a day to a large remote farming area north-west of Cowell in South Australia, overcoming challenges around a mountain range separating the area to the connection point. The scheme had to deal with the fact that the farming area was […]
The New South Wales Government has completed obligations under the Murray Darling Basin Plan by submitting a final water resource plan to the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). New South Wales Minister for Lands and Water, Kevin Anderson, said this was an important milestone and highlights the New South Wales Government’s commitment to supporting Murray Darling Basin communities. “The New […]
City of Marion’s $5.67 million water recovery project aimed at improving water recovery and reducing reliance on irrigated River Murray water has progressed to the construction phase. A 14km pipeline extension at Marion is expected to deliver at least 143ML of non-potable water to local parks and reserves, reducing the reliance on irrigated River Murray water. The pipeline extension will […]
Construction has begun on a new pipeline connecting Parwan and Balliang, which will irrigate thousands of hectares of farmland with recycled water, expand agribusiness and support economic growth. The pipeline will provide Parwan and Balliang farmers with a reliable, year-round supply of recycled water from late 2023, as part of the Western Irrigation Network (WIN). WIN is a large-scale irrigation […]
Upgrades to the Kyneton Recycled Water Irrigation project, a 14km pipeline network that connects the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant to landowners and businesses in the Bendigo region, is now complete, delivering up to 300ML of recycled water for agricultural irrigation. The $7.5 million pipeline was jointly 50:50 funded by the Federal Government through the National Water Grid Fund and Coliban […]
The Wamuran Irrigation Scheme is making significant progress with more than 13km of pipeline installed since the project was announced in 2022 and more than 1.7km of the pipeline has been drilled underground using horizontal direction drilling (HDD). The scheme, set to be complete and operational by mid-2024, will provide year-round water security for a number of Wamuran farmers while […]
As the need to strengthen water networks rises due to increasing urbanisation and the impact of climate change, effective pressure management is becoming indispensable. Pressure regulating valves (PRVs) can combat non-revenue water by preventing unnecessary mechanical stress and improving the longevity of networks with modern materials, a simple construction, and digital functionality. Every year, utilities worldwide lose 126 billion cubic […]
Melbourne’s population is growing. By 2030, more than six million people are expected to call the city home. A booming city means greater demand on services and infrastructure and this includes the sewerage system. Here are two projects that demonstrate how we are embracing technology to help us meet demand and achieve our goals in a safe and efficient way.
Water treatment sludge could be used to prevent 117,000km of sewer pipes in Australia from cracking in future, without any intervention by humans, helping to save $1.4 billion in annual maintenance costs. A world-first project led by University of South Australia sustainable engineering expert, Professor Yan Zhuge, is trialling a novel solution to halt unprecedented levels of corrosion in the […]
Work is underway on a major recycled water scheme that will provide year-round water security to turf and crop farmers in Wamuran, South-East Queensland. Unitywater, the water and sewerage services provider for this region, is building the scheme through the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme Joint Venture, made up of contractor Pensar and two local growers – Twin View Turf and Pinata […]
When Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) Management decided to improve the visibility and environmental sensitivity of its irrigation scheme, it selected Yokogawa’s FAST/TOOLS SCADA and Stardom RTU’s. New Zealand has been considered an agricultural country since the 19th century, when the introduction of refrigerated transport allowed its sheep and dairy industries to expand providing meat, wool, butter, and other agricultural products […]
In the region around the Greek capital Athens, pressure regulating valves (PRV) are essential for the reliable operation of its water network. One reason for this is the nature of its geography, as there are a lot of elevation changes. There are also seasonal fluctuations in the water usage, as demand rises rapidly during the summer months. As a result, […]
The Queensland Government’s Regional Water Assessment program, which aims to identify future water security solutions in key food bowls across the state, is moving forwards, with preliminary analysis and feedback already received. Started in late 2021, the Regional Water Assessment involves councils, industry representatives, scientific experts and key stakeholders working together to develop a holistic approach to water security and […]
Tamar Valley farmers are being encouraged to contractually apply for Tamar Irrigation Scheme water entitlements as part of the threshold needed by Tasmanian Irrigation to secure State and Federal Government funding. The $290 million and 24,500ML Tamar Irrigation Scheme opened with water sales for the next six weeks, allowing Tasmanian Irrigation to view actual demand from landowners. If water sales […]
The extension of the recycled water pipeline in Portarlington has been completed, and is expected to increase the availability of recycled water on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. The $2 million project means recycled water can now be supplied to agricultural and horticultural customers, including vineyards, along Portarlington Road from Scotchmans Road to Church Road. The expansion has already seven […]
Over 7,000 native Australian plants are thriving at SA Water’s wastewater pump station in Murray Bridge, turning into a cultural space for the community to enjoy. Named ‘Nankeri tapatawangk’ – the Ngarrindjeri name meaning ‘place of good water’ – the landscaping and artwork design of the pump station was brought to life together with Aboriginal architect and visual artist Paul […]
On the eve of construction commencing, the Federal Government has given the Don Irrigation Scheme extra funding as part of the 2022-23 Budget. The Federal Government has committed an additional $13.7 million toward the 4,750ML project, which will increase the Don and Barrington areas’ agricultural productivity and capability. The $54.4 million project will construct two separate distribution networks to improve […]
A business case for the construction of a new reservoir in South Australia’s McLaren Vale district will be funded by the Federal Government, with the potential to bring 1,350ML of recycled water to the area. If viable, the McLaren Vale Irrigation Water Security project could deliver an estimated 750ML of new water allocations for irrigation in the region, helping businesses […]
A major water recycling scheme in Victoria, the Western Irrigation Network, is one step closer to supporting local farmland irrigation, with the storage dam at Melton Recycled Water Plant now being filled. The Western Irrigation Network project is on-track to supply reliable water to local farmers and help irrigate thousands of hectares of farmland from early 2023. The recently completed, […]
The water collected by Australia’s largest irrigation modernisation project can now be delivered to irrigators, the environment and the Melbourne retail water corporations. The Connections Project has exceeded its water recovery target of 429GL by 4GL. Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, announced all water committed through the project in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID) is ready for dispatch, with […]
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