Lake Brewster milestone

WATER SAVINGS IN BREWSTER MILESTONE

18 June 2009

The Lachlan Valley is set to benefit from water savings after State Water received licence and usage approval for the Lake Brewster Water Efficiency Project recently.

A major milestone in the project, the first ever Adaptive Environmental Water Licence and Water Use Plan were granted after the Department of Water and Energy conducted an assessment of the expected water savings from the project.

Water Delivery Manager (Central Valleys) for State Water, Sri Sritharan said the approval was a significant milestone in the project which will benefit the environment and other water users in the Lachlan Valley.

“The project aims to reduce evaporation in Lake Brewster which, in turn, will save between 7,000 and 10,000ML of water per year on average,” Mr Sritharan said.

Under the project’s design 60 percent of water saved will be directed into the Adaptive Environmental Water Licence which will be held by the Minister for Environment and managed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

“The licence is the first of its type and will primarily be used to maintain wetlands in Lake Brewster, with any excess to support other environmental assets in the Lachlan.

“The remaining 40 percent will be returned to the system, for improved reliability for water users in dry years.”

The Water Efficiency Project involved constructing a 5.5km main dividing embankment across the lake to reduce the surface area and levels of evaporation.

The project will also include 1,100ha of constructed wetlands and improved outlet works.

“Water released into the Lachlan River through the project will be of higher quality, due to reduced turbidity and levels of blue-green algae,” Mr Sritharan said.

With all earthworks completed the lake is now in a position to store water in the event of large tributary flows or floods.

The final completion of all structures and regulators is expected in six months.

-ENDS-
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