Archived Industry News for Water Professionals - June, 2011
Adelaide’s $1.83 billion Desalination Project has reached a milestone with seawater flooding the plant via the 1.4 km intake tunnel, connecting ocean and land for the first time.
The plant is expected to produce the first desalinated water by the end of July, reaching the 100 billion litre annual capacity by the end of 2012.
The first reverse osmosis and ultra-filtration membranes, part of the treatment technology used to desalinate water, have arrived at the site and are being installed into the reverse osmosis tubes. The membranes will desalinate the first litres of seawater to come through the plant.
Tracking groundwater pollution to its source
Computer algorithms might be useful in identifying sources of groundwater pollution, according to researchers in Australia and India.
New drought prediction tool developed
Knowing when to instigate water saving measures in dry times will be easier following a breakthrough in drought prediction by a Victoria University researcher.
Community groups call for strong MDBA plan
Community groups from across rural and metropolitan Australia have joined forces to petition the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to deliver a strong, scientifically credible basin plan to save the country’s lifeblood.
Adelaide's southern suburbs tap into recycled water
High-quality recycled water has been made available to residents in Adelaide’s south following the completion of the $62.6 million Southern Urban Reuse Project.
Windsor Inquiry and CSIRO disagree on environmental flows
The Windsor Inquiry, the federal political committee charged with guiding the future of the Murray-Darling river complex, has arrived at an impasse with the CSIRO over the necessity of end-of-system-flows.
Hardly Inlet water quality improvement draft plan released
The Hardy Inlet water quality improvement plan, Stage one – the Scott river catchment draft plan has been released for public comment.
States push for more water control
State governments are set to win more control over multimillion-dollar water-saving infrastructure projects across the Murray-Darling under a new deal being discussed with the Commonwealth.
Unitywater releases new pricing for 2011/12
Unitywater has released its new pricing for 2011/12 to reflect changes announced by the Queensland Government in April.
New water R&D group launched
A new collaborative group is bringing together key players within the Australian water community who undertake the role of research and development knowledge brokers, with an aim of sharing information on R&D and promoting knowledge and adoption of research outcomes to the industry.
Water price hike in Victoria
The Essential Services Commission (ESC) of Victoria has announced that water prices are due to increase by between 5 and 15 per cent across the state, which will translate into an increase of an average of $120 per bill.
John Holland awarded Warriewood STP contract
John Holland has been awarded the contract for the $34.5 million upgrade to Sydney Water’s Warriewood Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
Tasmania funds irrigation schemes
Funding of $140 million has been allocated to complete irrigation schemes currently under construction and start work on new projects over the next three years.
Reforms to streamline Queensland water planning
Queensland Environment and Resource Management Minister Kate Jones introduced reforms in State Parliament aimed at significantly reducing review times for water resource planning in Queensland by up to two years.
Moonee Valley adopts new Water Strategy
Moonee Valley City Council has adopted a new Water Strategy which sets the future direction for sustainable management of all water in the City.
Funding for water supply initiatives in SA budget
The South Australian budget, released last Thursday, has allocated more than $800 million in 2011-12 to existing and new water supply initiatives.
KBR wins SA Water PMP contract
KBR has been awarded a five-year project management and procurement (PMP) contract by SA Water to jointly manage the delivery of the metropolitan capital works program for Adelaide.
$30 million upgrade at Quakers Hill Water Recycling Plant
Sydney Water has announced a $30 million package for Quakers Hill Water Recycling Plant to improve the health of Breakfast and Eastern Creeks.
Another WA town declared water deficient
Salmon Gums, a small farming town in Western Australia's south-east, has become the second area to be declared water deficient in the state.
SA and Victoria settle water dispute
South Australia has dropped its legal challenge to Victoria over trading caps in the Murray-Darling Basin.
150 GL for Murrumbidgee River environmental flows
More than 150 gigalitres of water recovered for the environment will be delivered to hundreds of wetlands along the Murrumbidgee River, benefiting the Murray system as far downstream as South Australia’s Lower Lakes and Coorong.