Clarence Recycled Water Scheme
The Clarence Recycled Water Scheme (CRWS) is Tasmania’s largest recycled water scheme. The concept for CRWS was developed following a review of sewerage treatment and disposal options by the Clarence City Council in 1995 after extensive discussions with local stakeholders. The Scheme has been supported by successful submissions for federal funding to assist in design and construction.
The Scheme addresses two issues; 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 recreational enterprises in the region.
The Scheme’s design utilises some unique regional features to create a high pressure delivery irrigation system, capable of supplying water to land up to 130m in elevation. A pipeline from the Rosny Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) reaches an elevation of 150m at Tunnel Hill, where a 2ML 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 and it is anticipated that in 2011/12 the scheme will be boosted by the connection of the Rokeby WWTP which will supply an additional 1.5-2ML/day.
In 2010/11 over 1350ML of recycled water was supplied to CRWS customers.
CRW Access and Allocations
Currently 28 irrigators are connected to the Scheme and demand for water exceeds the available supply. An allocation policy outlines fair and equitable distribution for recycled water to all users. Annual allocations are revised each year and take into account factors 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.
The CRWS is currently fully allocated with no water available for new connections. If you wish to register interest in accessing recycled water in the future please contact Southern Water.
CRW Sustainability
Since the scheme commenced in 2006 a wide range of monitoring programs have been implemented to ensure that the scheme is operating safely. These include 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.
CRW customers are also subject to a routine auditing program to ensure compliance with individual Irrigation and Environmental Management Plans.
Clarence Recycled Water Pricing Structure
The current pricing structure is outlined in the table below:
| |
(Have demonstrated 20% of annual take as storage capacity) |
(No or less than 20% Storage) |
Southern Water is currently developing a pricing strategy which will ensure that the scheme remains sustainable and viable in the longer term.
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.
Water Quality
Recycled water is regularly tested for water quality to ensure that the water is suitable for irrigation.
Weekly Allocation Request Form
Recycled Water