Barwon Water has announced significant progress on the ‘Recycled Water on the Bellarine Stage 3’ project, with the awarding of the major works contract to Aqua Metro to construct a salt reduction plant, a major component of the project.
The plant will produce better quality, fit-for-purpose recycled water for farmers and growers on the Bellarine Peninsula, unlocking new agricultural and horticultural production opportunities, including for wineries, cellar doors and farm-gate tourism.
This new infrastructure will help deliver certainty for local farmers and businesses, with a secure, high-quality water supply irrespective of seasonal conditions.
Barwon Water Managing Director, Shaun Cumming, said the project would secure the future of key local industries and create dozens of local jobs while preserving Bellarine Peninsula’s unique landscape and reducing reliance on drinking water for agriculture.
“We have been working with Bellarine Peninsula farmers over the past four years to understand the best way to support our businesses, which involved improving the quality of recycled water and making more of it available.”
This innovative project involves installing an ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis plant to produce fit-for-purpose recycled water at a significantly lower salinity than the existing high-salinity Class C water.
The upgrade to improve water quality will allow the water to be used for a wider range of agricultural purposes.
The upgrade to the recycled water plant supports the Victorian Government’s Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy, which outlines ways to identify and develop a sustainable water supply in the region.
Barwon Water plans to supply 450 million litres of low salinity, fit-for-purpose recycled water per year to new and existing agricultural and horticultural customers, nearly doubling the amount of recycled water used on the Bellarine.
“This project is helping Barwon Water achieve its Strategy 2030 aim to recycle 100 per cent of the wastewater treated at our water reclamation plants,” Mr Cumming said.
“The upgrade will save more drinking water for Barwon Water customers and double the amount of recycled water used on the Bellarine, presenting opportunities for more farms and businesses to connect to this valuable resource.”
The project is funded by the Federal Government ($5.53m) through the National Water Grid Fund and the Victorian Government ($1.97m). It is delivered in partnership with Barwon Water, which will contribute the remainder of the funding.
The project will likely begin in late 2024 or early 2025 and be completed in 2026.
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