New industry, jobs for locals and saving water will be key outcomes of an innovative $10 million water reuse project in Alice Springs

16 Feb 2007

Sewage water that used to wasted through evaporation or cause damage by overflowing into Ilparpa Swamp will now be used to irrigate crops.

The water is processed in a filtration plant where it will be treated to a level where it can be used for agriculture. It is then pumped 6 kilometres to a natural underground reservoir at the Arid Zones Research Institute where it will be used to irrigate 60 hectares of crops. In the long term the water could be used to irrigate up to 300 hectares.

Local businesses are also reaping the benefits of the project with Sitzler Brothers building a $600,000 treatment pond – and Dona Plumbing as a major sub-contractor on the project.

The treatment plant was designed by Ove Arup Darwin.

Territory company Probuild won the $2.6 million contract to construct the buildings. Alice Springs firm Ross Engineering has been sub-contracted to do work as part of a $2.7 million contract to supply mechanical and electrical process equipment for the plant. And local firm Charmban won the $3 million contract for the pipeline

The Alice Springs Water Reuse project is a joint initiative of Power and Water, the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development and the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment.

The project, which is expected to be completed by May 2007, is one element of the Alice Springs Urban Water Management Strategy.