Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water Senator Don Farrell has officially opened the $1.3 million upgrade to the Bathurst Water Filtration Plant that will save up to 192 million litres of drinking water each year.

 

"This technology allows residual water generated by the filtration process, called supernatant, to be fed back into that process and treated to drinking standard," Senator Farrell said.

 

"By recycling and treating supernatant, up to 192 million litres of water will be saved each year. Saving this water will reduce the need for water from the Macquarie River to be used for town water supply."

 

The Australian Government has invested more than $676,000 in the project through the Water for the Future initiative, under the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns program.

 

A further $150,000 in Australian Government funding has also been contributed to help Bathurst Regional Council undertake a trial of methods to prevent drinking water discolouration through manganese build up.