Recycled water to Barossa vineyards

New ways to tackle the challenges of climate change are being evolved across the globe. Water is a major issue to be resolved. Climate change creates acute water scarcity which demands urgent attention.

Australian Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, has launched a new project to provide recycled water to vignerons and irrigators in the Barossa region while helping to reduce pressure on the River Murray.

The Water Reuse Project – a partnership between Barossa Infrastructure Ltd and the Barossa Council at Nurioopta – has been supported with AUD599,000 of Australian Government funding from the Water Smart Australia program. The total cost is AUD2.44 million.

“As we tackle the effects of drought and climate change, we need to look to at new ways of using available water resources more efficiently,” Senator Wong said during a visit to the Barossa.

“The Barossa Water Reuse Project is an excellent example of industry working with various levels of government to identify innovative solutions to local water needs.

“The project will reduce Barossa grape growers’ reliance on the River Murray and provide an environmentally sound use for the treated water from the Council’s Community Wastewater Management Scheme.”

The project involves construction of 12 km of connecting pipeline and a pumping station to initially take 285 megalitres per year of recycled water from a new treatment and storage lagoon at the Nuriootpa wastewater treatment plant to vignerons and irrigators. This will eventually be increased to 600 megalitres per year.

This scheme is due to be completed by the end of October 2009, weather permitting.

The project aligns with the Rudd Government’s four key priorities under the Water for the Future initiative of taking action on climate change, using water wisely, securing water supplies and supporting healthy rivers.

The Australian Government contribution to the project comes from AUD20 million provided for enhancing the management and recycling of waste water within South Australia under the overarching Statewide Wastewater Recycling Project.

The Statewide Wastewater Recycling project totals AUD240 million with funding of AUD20 million from the Water Smart Australia program, AUD180 million from South Australian local government and AUD40 million from the South Australian government for new Community Wastewater Management Schemes over the next 10 years.

To help South Australian cities and towns secure their water supplies, the Australian Government is already providing AUD137 million for stormwater recycling and wastewater harvesting projects in the state, as well as committing AUD328 million towards the Adelaide desalination plant.