Construction has begun on the Derwent Park Stormwater harvesting and Industrial Reuse project, which is expected to save 476 megalitres per year. 

 

Federal Parliamentary Minister for Urban Water Senator Don Farrell said that the project would significantly reduce demand on drinking water supplies and reduce the impact of urban run-off on local waterways.

 

“The scheme will harvest stormwater from the Derwent Park catchment, treat it and supply it to the Nyrstar Hobart Smelter and Moonah Primary School,” Senator Farrell said.

 

“This project will replace the equivalent of more than 190 Olympic-sized swimming pools of drinking-quality water with treated stormwater to be used in industrial processes at the smelter and for the irrigation of gardens and sports ovals at Moonah Primary School.”

 

“Long-term, the benefits for the community will be realised for the next 50 years, because it is being built to be upgraded and improved into the future to include other water uses and to achieve further environmental outcomes by removing more pollutants.”