Midcoast Water has released a revised 30-year integrated water cycle management plan called, ‘Our Water Our Future’, after six months of community consultation.
The plan is currently available to the public, who can contribute their own ideas for how MidCoast can manage water resources in the future.
Our Water Our Future is planning for the future by integrating expertise, experience and technology with community expectations to strengthen MidCoast Water’s strategy for securing future water supplies.
MidCoast Water’s chairperson, Aled Hoggett, said predicting the future is difficult, particularly when we are dealing with things like climate variability and population growth.
“Meeting these uncertainties requires sophisticated long term planning underpinned by detailed forecasting.”
Our Water Our Future was developed in discussion with regulators, local councils and the community, by a team of MidCoast Water staff. The plan was also supported by a broad based project reference group.
Mr Hoggett said Our Water Our Future highlights the continued importance of water conservation solutions such as water smart appliances, rainwater tanks and leak management.
“These will help defer or avert expensive infrastructure projects. The plan also shows the need for more pipes, storages and treatment plants.
“These include the proposed Nabiac Aquifer project that will help secure water supplies in Taree and Great Lakes. They also include water storages for Bulahdelah, Stroud and Gloucester and a further focus on increasing the reuse of treated wastewater,” Mr Hoggett said.
Mr Hoggett said that MidCoast Water will also continue to investigate a second storage dam for the Manning Water Supply Scheme and look at options for indirect potable reuse of treated wastewater.
Our Water Our Future details the issues MidCoast Water expects to face over the coming decades, the options and possible solutions.
It also details the five key elements of planning for the future – involving reducing water use, ensuring water quality, securing water supplies, recycling and effluent management and servicing small villages.
Members of the community are encouraged to have their say on the plan during the public exhibition period, which closes 26 February.
