Wastewater deal to save Shire $300,000pa

Free recycled water will continue to flow to public open spaces in Broome after a new 21-year supply agreement was struck between the Shire of Broome and the Water Corporation.

Under the deal, the Broome South wastewater treatment plant will provide up to 190 megalitres each year for the irrigation of Haynes Oval, playing fields at the Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre and St Mary’s College.

Shire president Ron Johnston said that after budgeting for annual maintenance and pipe replacement, the council would save about $300,000 a year because it was not having to pay for scheme water.

“This is a win, win situation for ratepayers and the community,” he said.

Negotiations on a recycled water supply agreement between the council and the Water Corporation have been progressing since late 2014.

In an agenda report to councillors, former Shire director of infrastructure Michael Dale recommended that an agreement be reached with the corporation to “mutually benefit” both parties.

“With increases in the cost of scheme water, officers recommend the Shire enter into an RWSA with the Water Corporation to ensure long-term tenure of this valuable resource from the Broome South wastewater treatment plant,” he said.

“The draft RWSA has been developed in the spirit of co-operation, as it is mutually beneficial for the Shire to reuse the recycled water and for the Water Corporation to dispose of it responsibly.”

The Broome Golf Club has a separate agreement with the corporation for the supply of recycled water from the same plant nearby to irrigate the course.

The Water Corporation is carrying out millions of dollars of repairs to holding ponds at the facility suspected of leaking effluent into Roebuck Bay and causing potentially toxic blue-green algae blooms.

Water Corporation North West regional manager, Rino Trolio, said using recycled water to irrigate public open space reduced reliance on precious drinking water.

“The RSWA has secured a sustainable and low-cost source of irrigation water for Broome’s public green spaces for years to come,” he said.

Mr Trolio said wastewater was treated to an appropriate, or fit-for-purpose, standard suitable for irrigation.

“We also have irrigation management plans in place in Broome to ensure the nutrient balance at irrigation sites is maintained,” he said.