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 sustainably managing wastewater from Unitywater’s Caboolture South Treatment Plant.
Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Daniel Lambert, said he is really proud of his project team and contractors who have successfully installed three quarters of the new pipeline required for this $120 million scheme.
“We’re installing 17km of new pipe, which will connect to an existing 5km section that was completed as part of early project works. Once completed, the 22km pipeline will supply Class A recycled water to farms in the Wamuran region,” Mr Lambert said.
“Recently, a concrete slab was poured at Moodlu Quarry which will host a 3ML balance tank to store the treated recycled water before being distributed to farms.
“This project has created hundreds of jobs for locals, with approximately 150 construction workers currently on site between the Moodlu Quarry and Caboolture.
“As the Moreton Bay region continues to grow and we produce higher volumes of recycled water, we will be able to connect additional customers to the scheme.”
Mr Lambert said the scheme would also help Unitywater meet its 2050 sustainability goal of zero nutrients diverted or offset from waterways.
“We’re the first water utility in Australia to commit to zero nutrients to waterways and this scheme will help us do just that – it will divert 2.6GL of recycled water from the Caboolture River each year, saving 11t of nitrogen and 1.8t of phosphorous from entering the waterway,” Mr Lambert said.
“We’re really excited to be seeing such great progress with this project and remain committed to sustainable development in our region.”
Feature image: Pipeline installation. Provided by Unity Water.
