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Home > About Us > Major projects > Water Reuse in the Alice
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Making the Most of Our Precious Water ResourcesPower and Water Corporation have committed $10.4 million to the innovative Water Reuse in the Alice project.
The project will stop dry weather overflows from the Alice Springs waste stabilisation ponds into Ilparpa swamp. Rather than letting precious water go to waste, the effluent will be recycled so it can be reused.
Initially the project will recycle 600 megalitres of water a year and pump it down to the Arid Zone Research Institute where it will be stored underground before being used to irrigate horticulture projects, helping create employment and economic opportunities for the region.
Power and Water are working with the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines to complete this important project.
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In November 2001 Power and Water Corporation and the Alice Springs Town Council construct a drain at Ilparpa swamp so they can implement new pumping strategies that will interrupt mosquito breeding cycles and reduce numbers in the area. |
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In February 2003 Power and Water commits $6.3 million to stage one of the Water Reuse in the Alice project. |
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In February 2003 the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines joins as a project partner to investigate the potential for using the recycled water in horticulture projects at the Arid Zone Research Institute. |
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Power and Water commits $220,000 over three years to help rehabilitate Ilparpa swamp in April 2003. |
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The Department of Natural Resources, Environment and The Arts are contracted to the project and their hydro-geologists research and investigate soil aquifer treatment (SAT) – an underground water storage system that will mean less water evaporates, and the water quality is better. The CSIRO’s leading water recycling researchers also work on these investigations. |
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Trial soil aquifer treatment (SAT) ponds are constructed at the Arid Zone Research Institute and testing commences. |
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A 6.2 kilometre pipeline to transport the recycled water from the waste stabilisation ponds to the Arid Zone Research Institute is constructed in July 2004. The pipeline is coloured purple so people know it contains recycled water. |
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Environmental investigations commence so a Public Environment Report can be submitted to the Office of Environment and Heritage. This report addresses the proposed soil aquifer treatment system and horticulture at the Arid Zone Research Institute. |
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A three megalitre storage tank is constructed at the waste stabilisation ponds in February 2005. This tank will store the treated recycled water before it is pumped down to the Arid Zone Research Institute. |
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In June 2005 The Office of Environment and Heritage issues a report assessing the Public Environment Report and concludes that the Water Reuse in the Alice project can proceed without adverse environmental effects. This is subject to a series of conditions safeguarding health and the environment. |
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In August 2005 the Power and Water Board of Directors approve $4.1 million for stage two of the Water Reuse in Alice Project This will include construction of a treatment plant at the waste stabilisation ponds. The plant will treat the effluent to a high level, before it is pumped down to the Arid Zone Research Institute. |
| Approval to proceed with the Water Reuse in the Alice project at the Arid Zone Research Institute site was granted by the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority in February 2006. | |
| In May 2006 the Water Reuse in the Alice project was named as a finalist in the NT Research and Innovation Awards in the Desert Knowledge Research category. | |
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Production and Monitoring bores are drilled at the Arid Zone Research Institute in preparation for water recycling during May 2006. The production bores will produce recycled water for horticulture, while the monitoring bores will keep track of the recycled water location and depth. |
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In May 2007, four soil aquifer treatment (SAT) basins completed construction, ready to accept reclaimed water from the treatment plant when it commences normal operation. |
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Construction of civil works, such as the roads and buildings at the new Water Reclamation Plant, was completed in October 2007. |
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In December 2007, NT Worksafe and the Department of Health and Community Services issued Power and Water the necessary licences to allow the plant to be loaded with water treatment chemicals and allowing trials to begin. |
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Initial commissioning of the treatment plant commenced in December 2007 with clean water being produced from the treatment plant currently being returned to the ponds. |
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The Minister for Essential Services, the Hon. Kon Vatskalis MLA officially opened the Water Reclamation Plant at the Alice Springs Wastewater Stabilisation Ponds on 28 May 2008. The Dissolved Air Flotation plant is now in full operation with reclaimed water being pumped to the Soil Aquifer Treatment basins at the Arid Zone Research Institute as well as providing water to Blatherskite Park for irrigation. |
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In May 2008 the Water Reuse in the Alice project was nominated in the NT Royal Australian Institute of Architect Awards in the Public Buildings - Other category. Local Alice Springs architect Brendan Meney designed the water reclamation plant buildings in a sustainable manner, keeping with the Central Australian conditions. |
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[ back to top ]For further information contact the Project Manager on 1800 245 092.