Council will proceed with using treated effluent for irrigating open spaces in Wongarbon as part of a major sewerage construction project in the village.
Council’s Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod said the initiative was a first for Council and may be used on other parks throughout the Dubbo Local Government Area in the future.
“Without this ready resource of water, Council would have to use precious town water on these facilities,’’ he said.
Mr McLeod said the reticulation system would collect sewage from Wongarbon and transport it to the Wongarbon Sewage Treatment Plant at the Council-owned property “Pine Avon.’’
“The first area to receive the effluent irrigation will be Centenary Park,’’ he said. “The Wongarbon Sewerage scheme will be expanded over time to irrigate the Cricket Ground and eventually the remainder of the Wongarbon Sports Ground.’’
Mr McLeod said that Council would adopt sub-surface irrigation via a network of underground pipes, located 300mm below ground and spaced about 500mm apart.
“These pipes “leak” water into the surrounding soil, directly at the root zone of the grass. This ensures evaporation losses are minimal,’’ he said.
“The system will recycle effluent safely and provide restriction-free water for parks in Wongarbon. This is the first time that Council has decided to irrigate a park with effluent and may well set the direction for other parks in the future”.
Council’s Works and Services Committee Chairman Cr Mathew Dickerson said while the cost of this project was higher than first anticipated, Council had made a commitment to the people of Wongarbon to pursue this unique project.
“The Committee reviewed a report at its meeting last week and recommended that with the irrigation proposal, Council also seek funding to help subsidise the ongoing costs associated with the project.’’
MEDIA CONTACTS: Director Technical Services Stewart McLeod, (02) 6801 4000 or Cr Mathew Dickerson, phone 0418 628 439.