Construction has begun on a $34.6 million water supply system to support MidCoast Water’s largest water scheme which supplies 36,000 customers with water from the Manning River in New South Wales.
The Nabiac Inland Dune Aquifer Water Supply System project will deliver a second water source to the region and support the Manning scheme.
The project has three main components:
- The establishment of an extensive bore network (which has already been completed)
- A water treatment plant approximately five kilometres south-east of the Nabiac township
- A pumping station at Darawank, next to the Lakes Way
The Darawank site will be the location of a major pumping station where water from the new supply will be integrated into the existing Manning scheme infrastructure.
The Manning scheme supplies the area from Crowdy Head in the north to Tarbuck Bay in the south including the communities of Taree, Forster and Tuncurry.
The connection of a second water source for this large area will provide security of supply in the event of extended dry weather and backup in the event of equipment malfunction.
The construction of a secondary water supply for this large area will also provide security in the event of changing climatic conditions.
MidCoast Water’s general manager, Ken Gouldthorp said, “When operational the Nabiac system will allow us to reduce the volume of water we extract from the Manning River, which will be an important environmental outcome for our communities.”
The project is supported by a $9.43 million funding grant from the Australian Government under the National Stronger Regions Fund.
Construction has begun on both the water treatment plant and pumping station elements of the project and the new system is due to be commissioned by the end of 2018.
