Water Minister Dave Kelly today announced an $11.9 million investment by the McGowan Government into Bunbury's water infrastructure.
The Bunbury Water Resource Recovery Scheme will see the construction of a new water recycling facility and pipeline alongside the Bunbury Wastewater Treatment Plant in Dalyellup, to supply water for use on major infrastructure projects and irrigation of public open spaces.
Climate change has particularly impacted the South-West, resulting in reduced rainfall, reduced streamflow and reduced recharge into our groundwater resources.
The use of treated recycled water to meet Bunbury's non-potable water requirements for infrastructure projects and irrigation will alleviate the need to use high quality potable water from the Yarragadee Aquifer, while reducing the amount of treated wastewater discharged out to sea.
The project will support local jobs by contracting local companies during construction.
The project is an initiative led by Aqwest, which will build and operate the new facility, and source water for the scheme from Water Corporation's Bunbury Wastewater Treatment Plant.
This facility will join around 80 other water recycling schemes in operation in Western Australia providing climate resilient, fit-for-purpose water to communities and industry.
As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:
"This initiative helps to address the impact climate change is having on our water supplies by ensuring the sustainability of the Yarragadee Aquifer and the future supply of potable water to homes in Bunbury.
"The fit-for-purpose, recycled water generated will provide a much needed water resource for industry and irrigation, and deliver far reaching benefits to the city of Bunbury community by greening the environment and improving liveability."
As stated by Bunbury MLA Don Punch:
"Already our local water supply is constrained, with a number of local parks going without reticulation so a project that will recycle water, protect our environment and allow for the watering of public open space to improve our suburbs is a fantastic outcome for our community.
"This project shows we have the capacity to be innovative and develop new and sustainable ways of meeting the ongoing needs of our community, all while supporting jobs for local people."
