Construction is nearing completion on the Melbourne Markets rainwater re-use system project with the pumping station now complete and irrigation pumping construction underway.
The Melbourne Markets Stormwater Harvesting Project will save more than 48 million litres of drinking water every year, and ensure that nearby sporting fields and gardens can be watered sustainably in the future, especially during drought periods.
When it rains, stormwater will be collected from the roof and paved areas of the relocated Melbourne Market in Epping, stored and then used to water the proposed Mosaic sports fields in Lalor, Whittlesea Public Gardens in Lalor and RGC Cook Reserve sports fields in Thomastown
Water from the market’s 40 hectares of pavement and 15 hectares roof areas will be drained into man-made wetlands in the south east of the market site, cleaned naturally and then pumped to the 4 local sports reserves.
Excess water flows from the Melbourne Markets Wetlands will be pumped to an underground storage tank beneath the future Mosaic ovals site.
The underground tank at Mosaic ovals will also be supplemented with stormwater runoff from the Carlingford and Mosaic Living estates.
Construction of the project began in July 2012 and will be completed by mid-2013.
The following works were completed in March and April 2013:
- placement of 250 tank modules (each weighing up to 7 tonnes) to create the finished modular storage tank structure
- each tank module individually sealed at the base and top to be water-tight
- tank modules covered with soil
- pumping station installed at Melbourne Markets Wetlands to pump stormwater to the Mosaic ovals
- rising mains installed to pump tank water from Mosaic ovals to Whittlesea Gardens and RGC Cook Reserve
Current and future works include:
- Whittlesea Gardens pump irrigation (May 2013)
- Melbourne Markets wetlands electrical poles (May 2013)
- irrigation installation at Mosaic ovals and RGC Cook Reserve (September 2013)
- constructing the Mosaic ovals sports fields