IT is with great interest that I read about satisfying water needs in the local area (“Supply for demand: Suma to reach full potential”, CWD, June 19), but are numerous misconceptions that exist in regard to water security.
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It is pleasing to see the upgrade to Suma Park Dam proceeding.
At the time of holding office, National Party member Andrew Stoner stated that this upgrade would be done in 2006; better late than never.
The most important part of the upgrade is to improve the safety standard of the wall construction, as the current wall structure satisfies the dam safety requirements to one in 5000.
I, like many others in the Orange community, had grave fears for residents who live below Suma Park Dam and expressed our concerns during the debate on the Macquarie pipeline. We can sleep easier knowing that the safety of the dam wall will be greatly improved.
The demand for water comes from many areas: the residents of Orange, the environment, industrial activities, agriculture and mining.
The greatest task for us is to achieve a sensible and sustainable balance between the competing areas for water.
Orange council and residents should be congratulated in reducing the amount of water used in Orange by adopting more efficient methods to consume water. Since the time of constructing Suma Park Dam, the population of Orange has doubled while the amount of water consumed has just about halved.
The demand for water is increasing with the current mining and future mining activities under investigation for the area. Without any disrespect, the Cadia Valley Operations (CVO) mining has impacted on the water balance in a detrimental manner. Inadvertently the activities of CVO has affected the stormwater harvesting scheme, the dual water supply (purple line) and possibly advanced the perceived need for the Macquarie River pipeline.
The award-winning stormwater harvesting scheme could not be used because of the implications of transferring the wastewater from Orange’s sewer treatment plant to CVO under agreement with Orange City Council (OCC) in 1996. Licensing issues arose between OCC and the water users along Summer Hill Creek that prevented its use.
As far as I am aware, the Ploughmans Creek section may be used but not the Blackman’s Swamp Creek section due to recent modifications to the scheme.
Recent articles in the CWD indicate that OCC acknowledges the potential of the scheme, which is much greater than the expected averaged retained volume of water from the Macquarie pipeline.
The expected full potential of stormwater harvesting should be available on council’s website. Council should be able to inform us of a start-up date for the complete stormwater harvesting scheme.
Committing Orange’s wastewater to CVO has prevented the dual water pipeline supplying water to the Orange residents who are connected to the purple line.
It would be beneficial, especially in dry periods, to use the wastewater to water our gardens and lawns.
Why did council design and implement the dual water scheme knowing that the wastewater was not available? Why wasn’t it possible for council to negotiate with CVO for the use of some of the wastewater to be used when reviewing the agreement?
If the stormwater harvesting scheme was fully operational there would be no need for the Macquarie pipeline.
Utilising the dual water pipeline as designed would save a good deal of drinking water and lessen Orange’s water requirements.
My household is just about self-sufficient with water after installing rainwater tanks. If residents were to install rainwater tanks the demand on council’s supply would be greatly reduced.
Orange has the means to satisfy water demand into the future. How we, the residents of Orange, plan to meet our water requirements is the matter to decide.
Water security for Orange will be enhanced by the upgrade of Suma Park Dam, and all involved should be congratulated on the project’s progress.
Cyril Smith,
Orange