Greener parks and wetlands thanks to the Waterproofing Eastern Adelaide Scheme
22 May 2017
SA Government: Parks and reserves from Klemzig to Glenunga will be greener under an innovative new stormwater re-use scheme that will also create new wetlands for our communities.
The Waterproofing Eastern Adelaide Scheme will build new water infrastructure across Adelaide’s east, including new wetlands and biofilters to help clean stormwater captured at two sites in Felixstow and deliver it to parks and reserves from a local aquifer via 40km of pipelines.
Minister Hunter today toured the new biofilter basin being built at Klemzig, which is a key component of the project and nearing completion.
Background
Waterproofing Eastern Adelaide is a joint project of the City of Burnside, City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters and the Town of Walkerville. The scheme has also been supported by funding from the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, and the Australian Government’s National Urban Water and Desalination Plan.
Working under the umbrella of the Eastern Region Alliance, the three councils with State and Federal government backing, are well advanced with the scheme and expect construction at Klemzig to be completed by the end of June 2017, with other works to follow.
When fully operational the scheme will deliver water to about 50 parks and reserves across the three council areas.
The two stormwater capture sites at Felixstow are expected to yield almost 500ML a year, which is roughly equivalent to 200 Olympic swimming pools and exceeds the current demand of 454ML a year for irrigating parks and reserves across the area.
The scheme is also helping lessen the impact of stormwater on Adelaide’s coastal environment by reducing the volume of urban runoff that flows into the sea.
Quotes attributable to Water and the River Murray Minister Ian Hunter
South Australia is a national leader when it comes to reusing stormwater.
The State Government is continuing to diversify our water supplies to ensure we still have beautiful green spaces for our community while ensuring we use our water in a sustainable way.
It was great to visit the Klemzig biofilter basin today and see first-hand some of the hard work that is going into making this scheme a reality.
Thanks to projects such as Waterproofing Eastern Adelaide, we’re now capable of harvesting around 22,000ML of stormwater for reuse in Adelaide, which puts us on track to achieve the SA Government’s long term target of 60,000ML.
In addition to benefits for St Vincent Gulf from reduced stormwater flows, Waterproofing Eastern Adelaide, also helps us lessen our reliance on water from the River Murray.
Quotes attributable to Eastern Region Alliance Chairman John O’Brien
It is great to see this project coming to fruition after years of planning.
The cooperation between the three member Councils has provided a benchmark for how significant community orientated projects can be delivered effectively.
Quotes attributed to Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Mayor Robert Bria
Waterproofing Eastern Adelaide is an exciting initiative that will provide water security for the three participating councils, by reducing reliance on mains water and water from the River Murray.
We’re delighted with the progress so far and looking forward to the project being operational.
--ENDS--
Source: South Australian Government - www.premier.sa.gov.au
Contact: N/A
External Links: N/A
Recent news by: South Australian Government