Landcarers have welcomed Western Water’s rethink on a planned discharge of Class B recycled water into Deep Creek at Romsey.
Deep Creek Landcare’s Robin Ford said members were optimistic to see the water authority explore alternatives to its proposal last August.
Western Water had signalled its intent to release 300 megalitres of excess wastewater over two years that could not be stored at its Romsey plant.
“The release of wastewater into the creek was not desirable. It’s not a natural component and would be an added burden to the waterway that already faces challenges,” Mr Ford said.
“There were some concerns about the impact on threatened and vulnerable species and quality of water. It would have also been a missed opportunity for low-impact agricultural gains.”
Mr Ford said Deep Creek was home to an isolated school of the threatened yarra pygmy perch and other vulnerable species including platypus.
Landcare was just one of the local groups to engage with Western Water.
Calls to stop wastewater release to the creek have now been met with a plan to fast-track irrigation works on extra Western Water land ahead of the original timeline.
Last week Western Water informed customers these works were “proceeding at pace despite coronavirus (COVID-19)”.
“If we can successfully fast-track these works to completion with minimal delay, we will be able to avoid releasing Class B recycled water into Deep Creek,” Western Water stated.
“We know from feedback so far that the Romsey community and a number of people with land that fronts Deep Creek don’t want a discharge to the creek. We understand this and that’s why we’re working to deliver on alternative options to avoid this occurring.”
Western Water said “unprecedented urban growth” in its service region had contributed to more rapid increase in wastewater than forecast and, therefore, limited preparations at its Portingales Lane site.
Western Water said it was examining other temporary measures and options that may help it avoid a creek discharge should there be a delay.
These include transporting recycled water to other plants, installing a recycled water standpipe for landholder use, and exploring innovative evaporative technology.
The viability of these options continues to be investigated.
Western Water is also investigating costs and environmental implications of providing more storage capacity for recycled water at the Portingales Lane plant. Current planning indicates about 65 megalitres of new storage would be required.
Any expansion of the plant will be required to proceed through a separate project approval and engagement process.
