What contribution can water reuse make to overcoming water shortages in inland towns and cities? Stuart Khan

Transcription

1 What contribution can water reuse make to overcoming water shortages in inland towns and cities? Stuart Khan

2 Major challenges: Opportunities from recycling: Preserve health of waterways (EPAs, 1980s/90s) Reduction in effluent discharge Meet future demands for water ( ) Energy efficiency and greenhouse footprint ( ) Alternative water source Lower energy water source

3 Dr Nanda Altavilla LGNSW Water Management Conference August 2016

4 Hawks Nest Recycled Water Scheme Hawkes Nest STP Hawkes Nest Golf course. Reuse of ~40% of effluent produced Previously discharged through sand dunes Reduces groundwater extraction Reduced fertiliser demand for golf course

5 Wagga Wagga City Council Urban reuse ~6 GL/year Much used for sports ground irrigation Reduces potable water costs payable to Riverina Water County Council Reduces sewage discharge costs to Murrumbidgee

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7 Cootamundra Effluent Re-use Scheme (2002) Parks, gardens, golf course Reduces discharge to Muttama Creek Reduces nutrient & salt to creek & major river system 80 ML storage dam Dedicated reticulation system to town facilities Potable water savings

8 Shoalhaven Reclaimed Water Management Scheme (REMS) Stage 1A in early 2000 s 4 STPs Reclaimed water storages >20 end-users Ended treated effluent discharge to Jervis Bay Marine Park Cut enviro discharge ~70% Drought-proofed local dairy farms, playing fields, parks Improved dairy productivity, viability Stage 1B to add 2 more STPs

9 Characteristics of irrigation reuse schemes Greatest reuse in summer when soil moisture deficit and demand are highest. Storage essential to maximise reuse Public health and environmental risks managed: Monitoring On-site controls Operational procedures Research Education and awareness programs

10 Wollongong Recycled Water Scheme Operating since 2006 Membrane filtration for high quality recycled water 7 GL/year to BlueScope Steel 0.5 GL/yr to Port Kembla Coal Terminal Direct savings from potable water supply

11 Ballina Shire Recycled Water Supply (2016) Urban dual reticulation Toilets Cold water to laundry Outdoor Urban open spaces Council sporting fields Golf club Race track

12 Broken Hill Essential Energy make secondary effluent available from Wills Street STP Pipelines owned by customers to properties o Broken Hill Golf Course o Perilya Minimal cost recovery for treatment o Charged 17c/kL (SKM, 2014) o Benefit to EE is avoided load-based fees for environmental discharge (about 25% less volume/load). Essential Energy considers this a new water supply, which does not significantly replace potable water use. o If ceased to be available, these users would not source water from the potable system.

13 Sydney Water Replacement Flows Project

14 Perth Groundwater Replenishment Scheme Trial: , Stage 1 (14 GL/yr): 2016, Expansion (28 GL/yr): 2019

15 Big Spring, West Texas, USA (2013) STP / AWTP 15% 100 km and up Population 30,000 + neighbouring towns

16 Wichita Falls, Texas (2014) STP Drinking water supply WTP 30% AWTP Reservoir water Population 100,000

17 Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA (2011) STP AWTP WTP Drinking water Groundwater Population 1000 (doubles on weekends and holidays)

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20 Drivers for regional water recycling Water supply Legislation & regulations (eg. BASIX) Financial Protection of water & environment Community Atom Consulting for Australian Centre for Water Recycling Excellence (2013) Use of excess water

21 Challenges in regional water recycling Cost Skills & training Water quality Regulations Technology Demand variability Community Suitable endusers Atom Consulting for Australian Centre for Water Recycling Excellence (2013)

22 NSW Government on Recycled Water Increased water recycling is a key element of the NSW State Plan Recycling water means treating and using water, such as sewage, stormwater, industrial wastewater or greywater, for non-drinking purposes such as for industry, toilets, cooling towers, and irrigation of gardens, lawns, parks and crops

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24 Response from NSW Government NSW Government supports the draft recommendation With regard to planned potable re-use, the Water Industry Competition Act 2006 does not preclude a proponent from applying for a licence to use recycled water for drinking purposes. NSW Office of Water, in consultation with NSW Health, has provided advice to a local water utility in northern NSW regarding the considerations that should inform its advanced water treatment study (which is examining the potential to use highly treated recycled effluent to augment drinking water supplies). The regulatory framework which applies to non-metro water utilities in NSW requires them to consider all available augmentation & demand management options

25 Potable water recycling is against NSW Government policy

26 Potable water recycling is against NSW Government policy

27 Come and workshop it with us tomorrow