Groundwater Replenishment Trial
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| Technical papers | |
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The Water Corporation will undertake a three year trial of groundwater replenishment, due to commence late in 2009.
The purpose of the trial is to build knowledge of the technical, health, environmental and social issues associated with groundwater replenishment and collect sufficient information to build community and regulator confidence that groundwater replenishment is a safe, viable and sustainable drinking water source option.
By the time the Trial commences the Water Corporation will have spent more than three years on research, monitoring and design to ensure the trial runs smoothly.
This Trial will determine whether recycled wastewater can be used as a source of drinking water for Perth in the future, and may help in deciding whether it is appropriate for other communities across the State.
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Why do a trial?
The Trial will test groundwater replenishment in an environment very similar to where it could be used on a larger scale. Such trials are used throughout the world to see if innovations like groundwater replenishment are viable solutions to water scarcity.
So although we know the equipment used in the treatment process works and that the process of injecting water is viable, the Trial's purpose is to confirm that we are able to reliably make the water safe for drinking by combining these known technologies.
The Trial will look in detail at removal of chemicals and microbes through the treatment process and at the effects the treated water's injection has on the aquifer, as well as the effect of the aquifer on the quality of the water.
What will happen?
To undertake the Trial, we will build a small recycling facility adjacent to the Beenyup Wastewater Treatment Plant in Craigie that will take treated wastewater and treat it again to stringent water quality standards.
The water will be treated (see links for more about the treatment process) then injected into the Leederville aquifer at a depth of 120-220 metres.
Monitoring bores around the injection bore will allow water to be extracted from the aquifer at some distance from the point of injection and tested for microbiological organisms and chemicals to confirm the safety of the water.
Water Corporation will work with the Departments of Health, Water and Environment and Conservation, to assess the results of the Trial throughout the three-year period. Research and monitoring results will be made publicly available on this website throughout.
How will you protect us and the environment?
Protecting public health and the environment is a priority and the Trial was designed with this in mind, and with direction from the Departments of Health, Water and Environment and Conservation.
To minimise its impact while also effectively monitoring any effects on the underground environment, the Trial is being carried out in a confined aquifer. The water added to the aquifer will spread very slowly through the saturated sand and rock that makes up the aquifer. Because of the depth of the aquifer, water cannot be drawn up by home or community bores.
The slow movement of water in the confined aquifer also helps us ensure that none of the Trial water becomes part of the drinking water supply until and unless it is proven to be safe.
The water from the Trial will not be used for drinking or for other purposes, but it will be closely monitored and tested as part of the Trial and research program.
What happens at the end of the trial?
All the collected information will be assessed to assess technical feasibility and subject to approvals by the regulators and community support, the Water Corporation will consider developing a large scale reverse osmosis groundwater replenishment scheme by 2015.
It is important to note that ultimately development of groundwater replenishment as a drinking water source relies on community support for the concept.
The Trial findings will also be used to guide the development of regulations for future large-scale groundwater replenishment schemes.
Let us know what you think about groundwater replenishment by emailing us on groundwater.replenishment@watercorporation.com.au