July 2008

What is the Pimpama Coomera Waterfuture (PCWF) Master Plan?

The PCWF Master Plan aims to secure a sustainable water future for residents of Pimpama Coomera by reducing the use of precious drinking water use.

High quality Class A+ recycled water will be supplied to the region for specific non-drinking purposes such as toilet flushing, garden watering, car washing, external cleaning and hose down.

Rainwater tanks will play a key role, along with Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) that uses engineered landscaping features to help slow, reduce and filter stormwater run-off and visually enhance the environment.

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Council announces Class A+ recycled water price

Gold Coast City Council has announced the price for Class A+ recycled water for the 2008/2009 financial year. Class A+ recycled water will cost $1.10 a kilolitre, which is significantly lower than the $1.87 per kilolitre currently charged for drinking water. Remember, if you conserve your use of Class A+ recycled water, you can save money on your recycled water bills.

For residents that receive Class A+ recycled water, water use will be measured by two separate water meters. A regular water meter will record the amount of drinking water used and a purple recycled water meter will record the amount of Class A+ recycled water used. When water bills are sent to households in 2009, both Class A+ recycled water and drinking water consumption levels will be clearly outlined. Until Class A+ recycled water is available, normal drinking water will be piped through the recycled water network and will be charged at the current drinking water price and subject to the same potable water restrictions.

Plumbers operating in the Pimpama Coomera region are trained to work in dual reticulated households. Each house in Pimpama Coomera has been tested to ensure drinking water taps are correctly plumbed to the drinking water network, and Class A+ recycled water taps are correctly plumbed to the Class A+ recycled water network.

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Understanding and support for the Master Plan on the increase

Research undertaken by Gold Coast Water during May and June has revealed an increase in Pimpama Coomera residents’ understanding and support for the PCWF Master Plan. Two forms of research were undertaken throughout June. A telephone survey asked questions of 300 residents of the Pimpama Coomera region. Three focus groups were also held and gave people living and working in the region an and other aspects of the PCWF Master Plan.

The phone survey found that:

• 47 per cent of residents (compared to 42 per cent in 2007) were aware of the correct uses of Class A+ recycled water and rainwater.;
• 95 per cent of residents supported using rainwater for cold water washing machine taps and an optional outdoor tap, compared to 85 per cent in 2007;
• 97 per cent of residents supported the use of Class A+ recycled water in toilet flushing and external uses, compared to 86 per cent in 2007;
• 98 per cent of residents were either ‘very supportive’ or ‘supportive’ of the PCWF Master Plan as a means to achieve a community that uses water wisely.

These research outcomes will assist Gold Coast Water in planning the next phase of community engagement in preparation for the delivery of Class A+ recycled water to dual reticulated homes early next year.

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Safety of Class A+ recycled water assured

Gold Coast Water has ensured the safety and high quality of Class A+ recycled water produced at the Pimpama Recycled Water Plant by undertaking comprehensive planning processes that reduce risks and manage potential hazards. A comprehensive Recycled Water Management Plan has also been devised, complete with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) mechanisms for the Pimpama Recycled Water Plant. These activities were undertaken in accordance with requirements of the Queensland Water Recycling Guidelines.

New legislation passed by the Queensland Government further validates the actions and processes that Gold Coast Water has undertaken. The Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act creates a regulatory framework for recycled water supplied to Queensland residents and protects public health through strict water quality and health standards. It is administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Water through the Office of the Water Supply Regulator.

As part of the new framework, Queensland Health has developed health-based water quality criteria for recycled water, based on national guidelines and recommendations from peak health bodies such as the World Health Organisation and the National Health and Medical Research Council.

In addition to these measures, Class A+ recycled water produced at the Pimpama Recycled Water Plant will undergo a comprehensive multi-barrier process to ensure its quality. Wastewater will firstly pass through a series of biological nutrient removal, filtration and disinfection processes at the Pimpama Wastewater Treatment Plant. After undergoing these processes, the water enters the Pimpama Recycled Water Plant, where it passes through ultra-filtration, ultra-violet disinfection and chlorination barriers. After it reaches Class A+ quality, the water is delivered to the community.

This process is illustrated by the diagram below:

For further information on the treatment process used to create Class A+ recycled water, please see our ‘Recycled water in Pimpama Coomera’ fact sheet.

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Commissioning on track to deliver Class A+ recycled water

Dual reticulated homes and businesses in the Pimpama Coomera region will soon be amongst the most water-wise in Australia, with commissioning of the Pimpama Wastewater Treatment Plant continuing to progress.

Commissioning is a series of phased activities that transfers the plants from construction sites into fully operational assets by ensuring they are operating and performing as designed.

During June the Pimpama Wastewater Treatment Plant underwent ‘wet commissioning’, using Class B recycled water to test mechanical and electrical operation. In July, wastewater was introduced to the plant for the first time and the ‘process commissioning’ phase commenced, where biological processes were enacted and operation of the plant was confirmed.

Mechanical and electrical commissioning of the Recycled Water Plant is continuing. When full commissioning of the Recycled Water Plant is complete, a period of ‘performance testing’ will precede a mandatory 13 week “proving period”, which will ensure consistent production of high quality Class A+ recycled water. Only when this proving period data satisfied requirements from Council and regulatory authorities will Class A+ recycled water will be delivered to the Pimpama Coomera community. Class A+ recycled water will be delivered to dual reticulated homes and businesses in the Pimpama Coomera region in 2009.

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Suspended water restrictions

Continued rain has provided a very welcome reprieve from water restrictions, with the Hinze Dam remaining above 95 per cent capacity. Restrictions will be put back in place on the Gold Coast when the Hinze Dam level falls below 95 per cent.

We congratulate all Gold Coast residents, who continue to use water very wisely. It is important to remember that this time last year, the Hinze Dam was at just 64 per cent capacity, and falling.

Until Class A+ recycled water is distributed in 2009, drinking water will be running through the recycled water network. This means that households will be affected by any existing water restrictions. Read more about water restrictions ...

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New aquifer protects water future needs

Gold Coast City Council is continuing technical feasibility investigations into a new 50-square kilometre aquifer underneath Pimpama.

Buried between 25 and 40 metres below the ground, this aquifer may have potential to store between 800 and 1000 megalitres of Class A+ recycled water during cooler months, when water consumption is lower.  When consumption of Class A+ recycled water increases during hotter months, the Class A+ recycled water could be retrieved and piped to the Pimpama Recycled Water Plant.

The aquifer would allow the plant to deliver Class A+ recycled water in peak times, regardless of demands on consumption. Class A+ recycled water extracted from the aquifer would only require chlorination before being pumped to households in the Pimpama Coomera region.

A preliminary design is due in August 2008. If Council approval is obtained, an ‘Injection and Recovery’ trial will be undertaken. For more information, please visit the aquifer project webpage.

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Correction note – Assisi College

In our last e-newsletter, we said Assisi College was the first school in Australia to receive dual reticulation. This should have read ‘the first school in Queensland’. A number of schools in the Sydney region are already dual reticulated and use recycled water for non-drinking purposes. We apologise for this omission.

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COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

Community carers needed

The Coomera branch of FSG Australia is looking for carers in the community to help others with who are frail, have a mental illness or have a disability.

Senior Community Coordinator Kylie Stenos said the group was looking for people holding a passion to help others in the community.

“People really can make a positive difference for others. Someone who can even spare three hours a month on any day of the week can make a real difference. They will be fully supported by another person, so don’t need qualifications or experience. Anybody with a group of social contacts can support our program and make a difference,” she said.

“You can introduce a person with a diverse need into a social, work, sport or leisure group and others will follow your example of tolerance and acceptance of people who just need extra consideration. This could be your year to make a difference!”

For further information, contact Kylee Stenos on 5519 4129 or Lorraine Castner on 5502 9797.

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Wholesale Nurseries Australia Community Open Day
Friday 1 August, 12:00pm to 4:00pm

On Friday 1 August, Wholesale Nurseries Australia will be holding an open day for landscaping contractors, green-keepers and grounds maintenance staff in the Gold Coast region. A PCWF Master Plan display will be present on the day. Around 30 local companies and organisations will be on display, including car exhibitors, tourism and leisure representatives, and horticulture representatives. Entry is free and there will be plenty of giveaways, so please feel welcome to attend.

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Coomera Anglican College Food and Wine Frolic
Sunday 10 August, 10:00am to 4:00pm

Coomera Anglican College is holding its annual Food & Wine Frolic on Sunday 10 August in the College grounds. It promises to be a great day out for all the family with lots of different rides for all ages, a sideshow alley and great music from the Brisbane Conservatory of Music's "Con Artists" and an African drum band. Of course, there’ll be great food and great wine. Entry is free. To get there, take exit 54 off the M1 Motorway. Coomera Anglican College is on the opposite side of the freeway to Dreamworld.

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Your input welcome

Your input to this publication is valued! If you have any local news, information or events that you would like included in this community eNewsletter, please email us at info@pcwf.net.au.

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© 2008 Gold Coast City Council