Construction has commenced on a Central Queensland pipeline project that will transport thousands of megalitres of treated coal seam gas (CSG) water that farmers and other customers can use in the Dawson Valley Supply Scheme.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said SunWater was working with QGC to deliver a 120km pipeline to transport treated CSG water from its water treatment plant at Woleebee Creek to the Glebe Weir.
“The Woleebee Creek to Glebe Weir Pipeline project is just the second of its kind in Queensland and will deliver a practical solution to transport the treated CSG water to an existing water supply scheme,” Mr Seeney said.
“The water will be treated to a high standard using the reverse osmosis process at QGC’s state-of-the-art treatment plant under construction near Wandoan and will be monitored by QGC and SunWater to ensure it meets strict approval requirements.
“At its peak, this project will see up to 36,500ML of treated CSG water supply delivered annually to irrigation and industrial customers.
“SunWater has received significant interest for the water from agricultural and industrial customers located along the pipeline route, in addition to irrigation customers on the Dawson River, downstream of the Glebe Weir.”
Mr Seeney said construction of the project commenced earlier this year near the town of Wandoan and SunWater expected there would be minimal impact on the local community.
“SunWater is very experienced in delivering water pipelines and has been working closely with QGC and contractor Murphy Pipe and Civil in preparing the construction site, finalising design, working with landholders and securing appropriate approvals for the project,” he said.
SunWater Chief Executive Peter Boettcher said SunWater was committed to seeking water supply solutions for its customers and that it was particularly pleased to be delivering the Woleebee Creek to Glebe Weir Pipeline project as a beneficial use solution for treated CSG water.
“The project will be supplied to existing and new customers located within the Dawson Valley Water Supply Scheme, who have shown interest in the water supply,” Mr Boettcher said.
SunWater expects pipeline construction will be completed in 2014 and water to flow in late 2014.