Re-Use
Clarence Recycled Water Scheme
Background
The concept for the Clarence Recycled Water (CRW) Scheme was developed following a review of sewerage treatment and disposal options by Clarence City Council (CCC) in 1995. After extensive discussions with local stakeholders, in 2001 CCC submitted a successful application for $8.4 million of Natural Heritage Trust funds to assist with designing and building the Scheme. CCC contributed $3 million of its own funds with a further $5 million in-kind for construction and infrastructure.
The Scheme was designed to address two issues for the Clarence municipality; removing nutrients from outfalls into the Derwent River (a significant environmental benefit) and providing a sustainable source of water and nutrients to agricultural, horticultural and amenity enterprises in the region.
The Scheme’s design utilises unique regional features to create a high pressure delivery irrigation system, capable of supplying water to land up to 130m elevation. A pipeline from the Rosny Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) reaches an elevation of 150m at Tunnel Hill, where a 2 ML break pressure tank feeds a gravity main that extends along the Coal Valley to Richmond and Seven Mile Beach. The Cambridge and Richmond WWTPs also feed into the Scheme pipeline.
Since the Scheme commenced operation in October 2006, over 3,600ML of recycled water has been supplied to irrigators in the Coal Valley region. In terms of nutrients diverted from the Derwent River, this equates to approximately:
- 110 tonnes of nitrogen,
- 75 tonnes of sulphur,
- 60 tonnes of potassium, and
- 25 tonnes of phosphorus.
Scheme Management
At the Scheme’s inception, the Coal River Water Recycling Authority was established as a single authority under the Local Government Act to implement, to establish and manage the Clarence Recycled Water Scheme.
On 30 June 2009, the Clarence Recycled Water Scheme assets and management responsibility were transferred to Southern Water.
Recycled Water Access and Allocations
Currently 28 irrigators are connected to the Scheme and demand for water exceeds the available supply.
The Scheme is fully allocated with no water available for new allocations. If you wish to register interest in accessing recycled water in the future (should more water become available), please complete the registration form below and return to Clarence Recycled Water.
CRW registration of interest form
Clarence Recycled Water has developed an allocation policy to fairly and equitably distribute recycled water to all users. Annual allocations are revised each year and take into accountfactors including the amount of recycled water estimated to be available for irrigation, the annual sustainable volume stated in each user’s Irrigation and Environmental Management Plan (IEMP) and the dynamics of scheme supply (eg. timing of supply, flow rates, storage capacity, storage utilisation etc.). The Scheme Manager manages supply to users on a seasonal and weekly basis.
Pricing Structure
The current pricing structure is outlined in the table below:
| Storage User | Allocated Direct Take User | Casual Direct Take User | |
| (Have demonstrated 20% of annual take as storage capacity) | (No or less than 20% Storage) | (No or less than 20% Storage) | |
| 2009/2010 | $10 / ML | $49 / ML | $49 / ML |
| 2010/2011 | $10 / ML | $49 / ML | $49 / ML |
The water pricing policy was initially set for a 5 year period and is due to end on 30 June 2011, when it will be reviewed.
Recycled Water and the Environment
A significant level of environmental research work was required for the Scheme’s Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan (DPEMP) to demonstrate the plan was sustainable. An additional study into the potential environmental impacts of the Scheme was undertaken by CSIRO, DPIWE and TIAR. The final report entitled "An assessment of the impact of current practice and proposed recycled water irrigation practice on farm and catchment scale water and salt balances in the Coal Valley" was released in March 2006. In summary, the study predicted that over the next 30 years there would be no major or significant changes to the region's topsoil salinity or groundwater levels as a result of the recycled water scheme.
Since the Scheme commenced operation in October 2006, CRW has implemented an extensive environmental monitoring program. This includes annual monitoring of soils, groundwater and surface waters to determine the impact of recycled water, if any, on the environment over time. To date, the monitoring programs do not indicate that irrigation with recycled water is having any detrimental impacts on the environment.
During the first two years of Scheme operation, CRW held a series of training days and workshops for irrigators and local industry representatives. Topics included OH&S requirements for irrigating with recycled water, soil sustainability issues, pasture management and new agribusiness opportunities for the region. OH&S refresher courses are held for irrigators.
Irrigation and Environmental Management Plans
To be supplied with recycled water, irrigators must have a property specific Irrigation and Environmental Management Plan (IEMP) approved by Clarence Recycled Water. The IEMP details how recycled water will be used in a manner that is safe (public health perspective) and sustainable (environmental perspective).
CRW conducts regular property compliance checks to ensure recycled water is being used in a manner which is safe and sustainable, consistent with the Irrigation and Environmental Management developed for the property.
IEMPs must be completed by an accredited consultant with input from the user and include significant on-ground work to map, analyse and benchmark soil types, prepare cropping plans, farm water and nutrient budgets and occupational health and safety plans.
Clarence Recycled Water has previously advertised for Expressions of Interest for consultants to produce IEMPs. The following consultants can be engaged if you wish to modify or extend your current IEMP:
- AK Consultants, 40 Tamar Street, Launceston Tas 7250
- Cambium Land and Water, PO Box 385, West Hobart Tas 7000
- Rural Development Services, 4/29 Elizabeth Street, Hobart Tas 7001
- SEMF, GPO Box 897, HOBART TAS 7001
- SKM, 137 Harrington Street, Hobart Tas 7001
Scheme Expansion
In mid-2007, Clarence City Council and CRW’s Board of Management prepared a business case to expand the Scheme. In May 2008, the Australian Government provided $10.5M to fund Stage 1A of the Scheme’s expansion. This includes construction of an in-line storage dam with an estimated capacity of 900ML to improve Scheme efficiency, and connection of the Rokeby WWTP to the Scheme to increase annual supply by an estimated 700ML per annum initially, rising to a potential 2,000ML per annum over time. Works are underway and anticipated to be completed in 2010-11.
Information for prospective landowners
Recycled water has various limitations on how and where it may be used. There are also some restrictions on landuse for certain time periods after recycled water has been applied. If you are considering buying a property that is connected to the Clarence Recycled Water Scheme, it is important that you contact Southern Water for information regarding the permitted use of recycled water on the property and implications in regards to land use.
Farms using recycled water will have a Recycled Water Agreement attached to the title of the land. There will also be a specific Irrigation & Environmental Management Plan which has been prepared by the current owners, and which details reuse management and use on the farm.
We suggest you familiarise yourself with these documents and discuss any other requirements with the owners. You may also like to contact the our Reuse Customer Account Manager on 13 6992 or email info@southernwatertas.com.au in order to obtain further information.
Please be aware that the scheme is currently fully allocated and therefore no new customer connections will be considered at this time.
Contact
To contact Clarence Recycled Water, email info@southernwatertas.com.au, or write to:
Information for CRW Irrigators
Water Quality
Recycled water is regularly tested for water quality to ensure that the water is suitable for irrigation. Recent monthly and quarterly test results are attached below.
Monthly water quality results
Quarterly water quality results
Weekly Allocation Request Form
Weekly allocation request form
Recycled Water Storages
Below are links to information to help manage on-farm recycled water storages.
Does your dam have an algae problem?
Minimising algae growth in farm dams
Managing Azolla (duckweed) in farm dams
Recycled Water Signs
Recycled water – do not drink sign