$116 million network serves about 1500 hectares
Farms in the Parwan-Balliang agricultural region near Bacchus Marsh now have access to a year-round supply of recycled water through a major phase of the Western Irrigation Network.
Greater Western Water says the foundational phase supports irrigation across about 1500 hectares of farmland in the region.
The scheme will initially supply around 2.4 billion litres of Class C recycled water each year to Western Irrigation Network farms.
According to Greater Western Water, recycled water volumes are set to rise as irrigators adapt, expand production and more farms join the scheme.
By 2050, the Western Irrigation Network could deliver up to 18 billion litres of recycled water to farmers each year.
The project cost $116 million. Funding came from the Commonwealth Government, the Victorian Government through the National Water Grid Fund, Greater Western Water and the agribusinesses involved.
28km pipeline links Melton to farms
Construction included 28km of recycled water pipeline from the Melton Recycled Water Plant to the Parwan-Balliang region.
The route also crossed under the Werribee River.
The works added three transfer pumping stations and a 1 billion litre winter storage dam.
Greater Western Water managing director Cameron FitzGerald said the recycled water supply was helping farms plan yields with greater certainty, independent of local rainfall.
“Recycled water is a safe, sustainable alternative water resource for use on crops, helping reduce pressure on drinking water supplies while improving water security and resilience to climate variability,” FitzGerald said.
He also described the Western Irrigation Network as a long-term investment in the sustainability of the Bacchus Marsh area, which Greater Western Water identified as a key agricultural and growth region in Victoria.
Greater Western Water is a Victorian Government water corporation. It provides water, recycled water, sewerage and trade waste services across 3,700 square kilometres, from Melbourne’s CBD and inner suburbs to Little River, Myrniong and Lancefield.
