Water Use
INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (IWMP):
An IWMP simply develops a strategy for a community to utilize, in a cost-effective manner, the following water resources:
- SA Water Corporation's reticulated water supply:
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- Demand on system
- Possible reductions in demand
- Rainwater:
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- Household level : roof run-off
- Community level :
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- paved area run-off etc
- stormwater detention basins, harvesting & reuse
- Wastewater :
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- Community level : collection & treatment of wastewater for designated purposes - irrigation of community open space:
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- Treatment & reuse within Reclaimed Water Guideline Principles.
- Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) :
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- Appropriate quality water is fed underground into a receiving aquifer & reused at a later date.
The City of Port Augusta is developing a strategic approach to 'Waterproofing the City'.
Elements in this approach include:
- Harvesting & reuse of stormwater for designated/appropriate purposes
- Reusing reclaimed water from the existing systems in a cost-effective manner
- Investigating the concept & feasibility of Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) for the township
- Developing a partnering approach with SA Water Corporation re possible use of existing infrastructure for slightly different uses.
The City of Port Augusta's Strategic Plan states:
"Environment Management:
Sub Goal 5.1:
Performance Objectives:
e : Reduction of effluent & stormwater into Gulf waters
g : Reduction in use of River Murray water
h : Move towards becoming a "Green" city
Key Strategies:
5.1.2 : Enhance & extend effective water management programs."
POSSIBLE WATER SOURCES :
The possible sources of water for the city & available reuse opportunities:
- Stormwater :
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- Road run-off
- Building roof run-off
- Reticulated water supplies
- Seawater (desalination)
- Wastewater as Reclaimed Water after appropriate treatment
IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
As part of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) licensing conditions, an Irrigation Management Plan (IMP) has to be prepared & submitted to the agency.
Council has engaged Aquatek Irrigation to develop & upgrade this plan as required (as each new stage is designed).
The IMP details:
- Source of reclaimed water & available volumes
- Areas that will be irrigated
- Detailed design of each area, including:
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- Pipe work layout
- All fittings
- Water requirements for each area & an irrigation schedule
- Maintenance requirements
- Contingency Plan
The Council has installed a central control computer for the whole system which collects required data & also gives operators indications of water applied & soil moisture data for selected sites.