The Australian Government has committed $20.0 million through the National Water Grid Fund towards a package of 4 projects in Tasmania. The total estimated cost of the package is $54.9 million, with the Tasmanian Government, via TasWater, contributing $34.9 million.
A number of projects in the Tasmania WISER package will deliver additional recycled water for agricultural use, including for properties such as this one which is connected to the Clarence Recycled Water Scheme.
Project overview
The Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER) initiative will deliver water security outcomes across central Tasmania and increase recycled water capacity in the south east.
It is expected that collectively these projects will:
- improve the quality and reliability of drinking water for 3 towns in Tasmania.
- provide at least 190 megalitres per year of recycled water for productive use.
- reduce extraction from climate vulnerable water sources.
- better manage water treatment processes to protect significant wetlands.
- incorporate circular economy principles including recycling water, repurposing existing structures, and reusing materials.
Tasmanian projects under the WISER Initiative include:
- Bothwell Water Treatment Plant Replacement
- Replacing a water treatment plant and establishing a connection to the Southern Highlands Irrigation Scheme. This will improve water quality and availability to meet the future demand of the Bothwell township and surrounding farming community.
- Ellendale Water Supply Pipeline
- Building a pipeline and pump station to connect the Ellendale township to the Fentonbury water treatment plant and increasing the capacity of the Fentonbury water treatment plant. This will improve water quality and availability for the community of Ellendale, reducing the need for water carting in summer and reducing its reliance on the Jones River, which will free up valuable water for environmental flows.
- Oatlands Water Treatment Plant Replacement
- Replacing a water treatment plant to improve water quality and availability for the rural community of Oatlands, and to support future water demand. Discharge from the water treatment process will also be reused by neighbouring farmland to minimise discharge into the environment.
- Cambridge-Clarence Recycled Water Interconnector
- Upgrading the Cambridge sewage treatment plant to improve the treatment capacity and quality of wastewater, and redirecting the treated water to the Clarence Recycled Water Scheme (RWS). This will provide greater recycled water capacity for agricultural use across the Coal River Valley and reduce the environmental risk of discharge into the Pitt Water-Orielton Lagoon.