Supply initiatives
To achieve the goals of the South East Queensland (SEQ) Water Strategy, the Queensland Water Commission is engaged in planning and projects to:
- develop long-term water supply strategies
- plan for drought and manage water demand
- facilitate investigations into new water supplies
- facilitate efficient management of water supply
- provide advice to government, and
- reform the water industry.
Some of the landmark projects to date:
Regional Water Grid
The South East Queensland (SEQ) Water Grid links existing and new dams and water storage facilities around SEQ to transfer water across the region. Read more about the Water Grid.
Tugun Desalination Plant
A desalination plant is located at Tugun on the Gold Coast. Read more about the Tugun Desalination Plant.
The Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme
The Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme is the largest recycled water scheme in Australia. It pipes feedwater from six wastewater treatment plants in Brisbane and Ipswich and treats it for industry and agriculture. The Western Corridor Recycled Water pipeline is capable of delivering up to 95 million litres of recycled water per day from Brisbane to power stations. It is also capable of providing up to 115 million litres per day for other uses, such as replenishing the dams with purified recycled water.
Read more about the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme.
Development of new water storages
The Wyaralong Dam will help to meet the water needs of the South East Queensland region to 2050. Read more about the Wyaralong Dam.
Reactivating old dams
Some smaller dams in the Brisbane region have been made available for use in order to increase the supply of water. Lake Manchester and Enoggera Dams have been reactivated, providing an extra 38 million litres of water per day.
Investigations to improve reliability in the Warrill Valley
The Queensland Water Commission has undertaken investigations to provide for secure town water supplies and a minimum 20 per cent announced allocation to medium priority interim water allocation holders in the Warrill Valley in most years. A summary report on the results (PDF, 1.6M)* of these investigations is available.
The Rural Water Advisory Group, established by the Queensland Farmers Federation, in partnership with the Queensland Water Commission and the Department of Environment and Resource Management, has identified as a priority action, the application to amend the Interim Resource Operations Licence to enhance rural water supplies in SEQ. It is proposed that this amendment to provide improved reliability for irrigators will be trialled for two water years (from 2011/12 water year).
Investigate opportunities to supply recycled water for irrigation
As part of the South East Queensland Water Strategy and the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031, the Commission is investigating opportunities to provide recycled water for rural production as part of sub-regional total water cycle planning.
In 2011, the Rural Water Advisory Group identified the prefeasibility study of providing recycled water for irrigation in the Logan River area as a priority action. The Logan study (PDF, 1.9M)*† found there is a modest demand for recycled water in the area, which is partly due to the small fragmented land parcels in the area. The viability of the scheme will depend on the size and location of future wastewater treatment plants in the area and adequate demand for recycled water. The Rural Water Advisory Group will maintain dialogue with irrigator and industry representatives on the outcomes of wastewater planning in the area and potential future demand.
† This report was produced by contractors on behalf of the Queensland Water Commission and therefore do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Queensland Water Commission. The prices for recycled water provided in the report are for the purposes of analysis only and should not be taken as being indicative of the prices that would be charged for water available from such recycled water schemes.
* Requires Adobe Reader