Works on Water Harvesting continue

MEDIA RELEASE 13 January 2023

Construction has commenced on the water harvesting project to bolster the city’s water supply.

The project will build a 36ML storage pond off Morrisset Street and 8ML storage pond at the Water Treatment Plant to capture water run-off from drains and local catchments. Once it is harvested and collected, the water will be pumped to the water treatment plant for filtration so that it is safe to use.

Mayor Robert Taylor said the project will help secure water supplies for the city into the future.

“Water harvesting will secure yield of approximately 1,500 ML per annum. During the drought, this amount of water represents approximately one third of Bathurst’s water needs while on restrictions,” he said.

Works commenced late last year and the next stage of the works will have some impact on parks, reserves and streets.

Site preparations, including site fencing and installation of sediment controls, are progressing along the Macquarie River adjacent to the riverwalk (on the Kelso side of the river), and on Monday 23 January, works are expected to commence on this site.

Works will be contained within a smaller site compound where possible, but will limit access along the walkway in some areas where the works are restricted by narrow access point and where required by necessity for the protection of signficant trees in the area. A site compound will also be established on River Road for the duration of the works in this area.

Following completion of works in the riverwalk vicinity, works will progress along the river towards Gormans Hill.

The Water Harvesting project is a $21 million project. The NSW Government has provided $20million to Council for water security projects including the Water Harvesting and the Winburndale pipeline projects.

Updates on the project are available on the YourSay Bathurst website.