Wamuran Irrigation Scheme
Works have commenced on the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme. This recycled water scheme will provide year-round water security for a number of Wamuran farmers while sustainably managing wastewater from the Caboolture South Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
The Scheme will not only supply high quality recycled water to the growers in the region, but will also help to meet 2050 sustainability goals of zero nutrients into our waterways and 100% reuse of recycled wastewater.
The Wamuran Irrigation Scheme will divert Class A recycled water from the Caboolture South Sewage Treatment Plant to farms, giving those participating in the Scheme greater certainty for crop planting and enabling them to expand their operations.
In its first stages, the Scheme will deliver about 2.6 gigalitres of recycled water per year – the equivalent of 1051 Olympic swimming pools – to a number of farming operations in the region producing raspberries, strawberries, pineapples, avocados and turf. As the population grows and the supply of recycled water increases, more will be distributed and more growers from the region will be able to access the Scheme.
Using the recycled water for irrigation means reduced treated effluent into the Caboolture River. In Stage 1 alone, 11 tonnes of nitrogen and 1.8 tonnes of phosphorus will be diverted away from the river.
The Scheme will be built by the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme Joint Venture (JV), made up of construction contractor Pensar and two local growers, Twin View Turf and Pinata Farms. The JV was awarded a contract in October 2019 to assist Unity Water to design and construct the Scheme, following an open-market tender process.
Wastewater from the Caboolture South STP will be treated in a disinfection facility before it is transferred via a 10km pipeline to Moodlu Quarry, where it will pass through a water quality management facility. Moodlu Quarry will be used for mid-stream balancing storage to ensure that surplus water is held to meet peak seasonal crop demand.
In Stage 1, water will be delivered to farms from the Moodlu Quarry pump station through another 12km pipeline to safely irrigate turf and food crops.
The Scheme is due to be operational in early 2024.
Image courtesy to Unity Water.