A PROJECT looking at the feasibility of harvesting, treating and storing stormwater from the Ballarat West Employment Zone is showing early signs of success.
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The trial project finished towards the end of December with hopes to take it to next level in the future.
Central Highlands Water managing director Paul O’Donohue said the trial was run over a six-week period and was tested in the Ballarat West Aquifer.
“The important thing is that the aquifer trial showed, and this was at a depth of 120 metres plus, that the water we were injecting didn’t disappear,” he said.
“These are only initial observations but it appears successful. We are still collating all the information that was received from all the data loggers and that will go into a report.”
The report is expected to take three weeks to create, when it will then be discussed with other partners in the project, the City of Ballarat and the Office of Living Victoria.
“The advantage of doing the trial now is that, one way or the other, if we prove the concept can work, as council and government develop the opportunities in the Ballarat West Employment Zone and whoever the tenants are, we can already be at the table saying potentially, we know this project can work,” Mr O’Donohue said.
The trial project cost $1.2 million and it is the first time the aquifer has been actively used since the last drought.
“Stormwater is running off every site and the more you build, the greater potential for stormwater is there,” Mr O’Donohue said.
“The upside of having additional water is there as well and that is part of the attraction of the whole project.”
Local water reserves are currently at 82 per cent.
matthew.dixon@fairfaxmedia.com.au
