Central Tablelands Water (CTW) has welcomed the recent funding confirmation by the Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey MP, totalling $142,400 for emergency drought works in the CTW supply network.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
CTW supplies water to the Shires of Blayney, Cabonne and Weddin providing drinking water to these communities.
Bulk water is also supplied to Cowra Shire Council to service rural consumers and the villages of Woodstock and Gooloogong.
CTW currently has approximately 6,000 water connections and provides potable water to around 15,000 consumers in 14 towns and villages.
The emergency drought works include a review and investigation of existing bore facilities that are currently not in service, and works to access dead water storage at Lake Rowlands.
This funding commitment is part of the NSW Government's "Emergency Relief for Regional Town Water Supplies" policy.
The general manager of CTW, Gavin Rhodes said, "although we received some much needed rain in the Lake Rowlands catchment during Autumn, it is prudent that we proceed with our drought management strategies.
"One of these strategies includes undertaking works at Lake Rowlands to access the estimated 20% (900 megalitres) of dead water storage below the outlet tower. CTW's current modelling forecasts that with zero inflows into the Lake Rowlands catchment, access to the dead water storage would be required by January 2021."
The emergency drought works include; civil works; piping, valves; pumps; and a pontoon.
The NSW government has confirmed funding of $94,500 for these works, being 50% of the total estimated project cost.
Mr Rhodes said, "funding of $47,900 towards a second drought management strategy has also been confirmed by the NSW government for a 2 staged approach emergency bore refurbishment project. Stage 1 involves reviewing and investigating the condition and water quality of three disused bores within the CTW supply network."
The outcomes of the investigation will determine whether or not the bores are able to be refurbished and put back into service to increase the redundancy of CTW's supply. Stage 2 will encompass the outcomes of Stage 1 and be presented to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for consideration of further funding support."
CTW's chairman, Cr David Somervaille also welcomed the funding announcement and said, "The implementation of these emergency drought management strategies will enable CTW to increase its water source redundancy".
"These emergency drought works will also complement the NSW Government funded Cowra to CTW bi-directional pipeline project currently underway by further improving water security in the Lachlan Valley."