The Macquarie Pipeline in New South Wales has started making its first major contributions to Orange’s water supply reserves.
Central Western Daily reported that after a number of commissioning tests, the 39km pipeline was turned on for the first time.
Pumps will be operated at night to take advantage of lower electricity costs.
Mayor Reg Kidd said the pipeline had not been used since its completion in 2015 because the Suma Park Dam was at capacity until December 2016.
“It’s been gradually declining since then,” Mr Kidd said.
“Last week Suma Park was at just over 70 per cent of capacity.”
While the pipeline can be used when the Suma Park Dam dips below 90 per cent and the river is flowing faster than 108 megalitres a day, the equivalent of 43 Olympic swimming pools, staff also take into account water storage levels, long-term weather forecasts and current water use to predict future water storage needs.
Central Western Daily reported the river at Long Point has been above the threshold for all but one day since the start of December 2017 due to heavy rain, running as fast as 506 megalitres on one day.
The pipeline is currently contributing the highest daily volume of water into the dam, at 13.4 megalitres a day, with pumps operating nine hours a day.
Stormwater harvesting is next highest at 8.6 megalitres a day, with pumps operating around the clock.
Central Western Daily reported normal inflows from the catchment are currently at 8.2 megalitres a day, while underground bores at Clifton Grove and Orange Showground are contributing 0.9 megalitres a day, with pumps operating 12 hours a day.
The total added water is about 30 megalitres a day, with the community using 15.
The stormwater harvesting and bores have been in operation for the past several weeks.
Orange City Council infrastructure committee chair and councillor, Sam Romano, said the aim was to keep overall water storage levels at about 80 per cent capacity.
“The aim is that by pumping during periods of good flow in the river, Suma Park Dam will be topped up.”
