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Water
Lower Murray Water is involved in a number of initiatives to promote sustainable water use and support catchment and riparian management practices aimed at improving water quality.
Water Conservation
Lower Murray Water continues to actively promote water conservation and responsible disposal to sewer within the community. This includes
- education programs and activities directed at primary school level: “Dripster Primary Education program” to educate school children on water conservation at school and at home, Mallee Environmental Schools Festival and National Water Week which includes activities for over 400 school students at the Mildura Show,
- programs directed at the general community: water conservation stickers and posters, sprinkler exchange for residential urban customers to reduce water wastage, production of e-News to subscriber base, a range of community projects aimed to promote environmental awareness
Water losses in LMW’s supply chain were reduced substantially by the completion of the Robinvale High Pressure Irrigation Project in September 2010. The project had two components, the reticulation system and the pump station and upgraded the Irrigation District from a low pressure channel / re-lifts / pipe system to a fully high pressured pipe system. This project delivers water savings and delivery improvements and operation / maintenance efficiencies (including greenhouse gas reductions).
Regional Catchment Strategy
The Regional Catchment Strategy is the primary framework for land, water and biodiversity management for each of the ten catchment management regions of Victoria. This means a single plan is available for everyone involved in looking after the Mallee environment, including community groups and government agencies.
The Mallee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is coordinating the renewal of the RCS. Planning has been underway since September 2011, with the final Mallee RCS 2012-18 to be submitted for Ministerial approval in October 2012. Lower Murray Water is participating in the renewal process.
The new RCS will set targets for the future condition of our land, water and biodiversity resources; and identify the management activities required to achieve these goals. It will also outline the roles and responsibilities of all regional stakeholders in delivering the RCS and its associated actions. The RCS will comprise an overall Strategic Plan with detail in the Appendices: State of the Region Report; Regulatory and Policy Framework; Implementation Plan; Development, Consultation & Engagement Framework.
We continue to assist in the implementation of the current Regional Catchment Strategy. As a regional water corporation, we provide implementation support via a contractual arrangement with the Mallee CMA for new irrigation development approvals, salinity management and environmental projects.
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Water Reuse
Lower Murray Water continues to encourage sustainable reuse schemes to reduce extractions from the Murray River.
- Lower Murray Water operates 10 Wastewater treatment Plants, all of which recycle wastewater back to the environment. Sites such as the Mildura Wastewater Treatment Plant utilise wastewater for the irrigation of tree lots, permanent pastures and fodder. Irrigation activities are audited to ensure they are consistent with Environmental Improvement Plans and EPA Publication 464: Use of reclaimed water.
- Reclaimed water from the Mildura West Water Treatment Plant is used at Mildura Golf Club and similarly reclaimed water from the Mildura Water Treatment Plant is used by Mildura Rural City Council for the irrigation of recreation reserves.
- As part of the Koorlong Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, a sewer main has been installed to transport wastewater from Red Cliffs to the Koorlong Wastewater Treatment Plant for third party reuse. Wastewater from the Koorlong Wastewater Treatment Plant is treated to class C and reused on high value horticulture, reducing the extraction of irrigation water from the Murray River.
- The construction of the Murrabit Wastewater Treatment Plant was completed in February 2011. When fully operational the aerobic lagoon system will provide reclaimed water to irrigate nearby sporting facilities.
- During the year irrigation drainage water was provided to the Red Cliffs Golf Club who shandied it with fresh water for use on the fairways and greens. This has proved to be a very successful on-going venture providing assistance to a community organisation.
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