Build Eco
Water Resources
All about SA Water
SA Water are committed to reducing their environmental impact, continuously striving to improve their water and wastewater operations and better protect water supplies, oceans, rivers and other resources.
The Corporation has comprehensive strategic, management and operational plans to monitor, develop and review their environmental performance with key objectives to minimise the environmental impact of the following operational activities:
- Wastewater overflows
- Discharges from wastewater treatment plants
- Management of biosolids and hazardous wastes
- Greenhouse gas emissions
South Australia led the nation in installing wastewater treatment systems and was the first Australian capital to achieve secondary treatment of all wastewater. SA Water collects and treats about 95,000 megalitres (95,000,000,000 litres) of wastewater in Adelaide and about 100,000 megalitres Statewide every year. This wastewater from homes and businesses is generally 99.9% water, with the remaining 0.1% made up of dissolved or suspended waste material.
Through joint ventures and partnerships, SA Water sits at the cutting edge of the development of new processes for the treatment of water and the sustainable use of natural resources.
These schemes will play a significant role in reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to sea and will meet strict environmental and public health guidelines.....more info
As well as reusing treated wastewater, SA Water is exploring opportunities for the use of biosolids, the organic solid residue produced by the wastewater treatment process.
Recycled water
SA Water is an industry leader in water quality innovation, water management in dry lands and water engineering technologies. The Australian Water Quality Centre (AWQC), a division of SA Water, carries out broad research and consultancy programs as well as providing customers with an integrated range of services for sampling, analysis, advice and research associated with the chemistry, microbiology, biology and ecology of waters, wastewaters, sediments and sludges..... more info
SA Water focuses on pursuing innovations that provide better services to customers and better outcomes for the environment. SA Water owns and is responsible for the operation of the recycled water system at Mawson Lakes which involves a dual reticulation system that provides water suitable for irrigation, flushing toilets, washing cars, ornamental ponds and water features (without fish). While the water is not suitable for drinking the system has meant an attractive and productive outcome for Mawson Lakes residents.
Click here to read the SA Waterproofing Adelaide Brochure
The River Murray
Under the Murray Darling Basin lies a vast amount of saline groundwater that in many places is as salty as sea water. Salt is a natural feature of the Basin and has accumulated over the past 65 million years. The Basin's flat terrain, low rainfall and high levels of evaporation have combined to concentrate salt in the soil and groundwater.
In 2003 the Save the Murray Levy was created to fund specific projects designed to return water to the Murray and improve the health of the water and the river's ecological environment. Together South Australia, NSW, Victoria and the ACT - and the Commonwealth - committed to raise $500 million over five years to be used to begin a long term effort to return 500 billion litres of water to the river. South Australia's contribution to this project is $19 million per year which will be paid for with money raised through the Save The River Murray Levy.
The plan included additional salt interception schemes to reduce the amount of salt entering the river, improved management of floodplain drainage disposal systems and waste disposal stations, and importantly, water returned to the river to improve the health of six significant ecological assets across the Basin, including three sites in South Australia:
- The Chowilla Floodplain: Provide water to important wetlands, and maintain the health of river redgums and black box trees.
- The Murray Mouth-Coorong and Lower Lakes: Keep the Murray Mouth open, provide conditions for fish spawning, enhance migratory wading bird habitat.
- The River Channel: Enhance fish habitat along the entire length of the river.
.....more info
Permanent Water Restrictions
From July 1st 2007, all industry is required to develop a water efficiency plan. Industrial use of water means water used not only for conventional industrial purposes such as processing, production, manufacturing and smelting, but also for commercial and business purposes, institutions such as schools and hospitals, construction, mining, aquaculture and intensive animal farming. Government agencies will also have to comply with these requirements....more info
Joint Venture Projects
An innovative joint venture project, between SA Water and Hydro Tasmania, sees water diverted as it flows through the pipes of the Anstey Hill storage tanks in the Adelaide Hills, into the Hope Valley Terminal Storage tank, resulting in a mini-hydro plant producing up to 7000 megawatt hours per year - enough electricity to power 1000 homes. This will reduce carbon emissions by more than 8000 tonnes - equivalent to taking about 1900 cars off the road....more info
Another project - Peneshaw's Desalination Plant and the Mount Pleasant Water Filtration Plant which uses the revolutionary MIEX® process.......more info
13 August 2008
