The former Barwon Downs borefield extraction bores are being decommissioned as part of Barwon Water’s commitment not to use this water source in the future.
Otway Ranges residents and community group members witnessed the removal of the headworks on one of the bores on Monday 10 March as part of a guided tour.
Barwon Water is now just several weeks away from completing the decommissioning of the six former groundwater extraction bores, which were last used to supplement drinking water supplies in 2016.
Managing Director Shaun Cumming thanked the community members for their great advice, input and support over many years.
“What this action sets in concrete is our path forward to a new water future,” Mr Cumming said.
“This includes a strong focus on water savings, smart initiatives and alternative water sources, such as manufactured water, recycled water and an increasing use of the Greater Melbourne water grid.”
Technical work in 2017 confirmed that intermittent use of the borefield had reduced groundwater contributions to select reaches of Boundary Creek, a tributary of the Barwon River.
A Remediation and Environmental Protection Plan (REPP) was created to improve water flows, water quality, vegetation and ecology in Boundary Creek and Big Swamp.
One of its key actions is the removal of the borefield as a supply option, which allows the continued recovery of groundwater levels in the Lower Tertiary Aquifer.
More information on the REPP and the progress Barwon Water has made in its key actions over the past few years can be found at www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/boundary-creek
