Operational Reporting - Essential Energy

REPUTABLE WATER SUPPLIER
Since Country Water commenced
operating in 2005, we’ve invested more than
$23 million in water and sewerage infrastructure.
Ensuring high quality drinking water
Country Water’s core business is to provide customers with
high quality, safe drinking water that is treated in line with
our Drinking Water Policy to meet the Australian Drinking
Water Guidelines.
A stringent regime of testing and quality assurance ensures
we meet these guidelines. The testing process includes
taking water samples from 38 locations, such as the
reservoirs, at the inlet and outlet of water filtration plants
and from various other locations throughout our water
network. Independent laboratories certified to the National
Association Testing Authority standards carry out all testing,
and the results are reviewed by NSW Health.
Each year we publish a summary of test results for samples
collected over the past 12 months, outlining health and
key aesthetic characteristics that have been selected in
consultation with NSW Health.
Improving water treatment, supply and security
Since Country Water commenced operating in 2005, we’ve
invested more than $23 million in water and sewerage
infrastructure. In 2007–08, the following projects were
undertaken to further improve water supply, treatment
and security:
Mica Street Water Treatment Plant
A detailed external review of our existing water treatment
plant identified that more modern processes are required
to adequately treat periodic poor water quality. The review
recommended constructing a new water treatment plant to
meet water safety and reliability standards into the future.
During the year, we undertook an extensive tender process
to select a partner to design and construct the new plant.
We aim to commence the initial design and construction
phase in 2008–09.
Rocla pipeline replacement
The Rocla pipeline between Stephens Creek and Broken Hill
is the only permanent water supply main for Broken Hill. In
mid 2008, we replaced around 2.5 kilometres of pipeline –
at a cost of $2.25 million – to ensure security of water supply.
Broken Hill mains replacement
A $1.5 million mains replacement project in south Broken
Hill, focused on improving quality and reliability of drinking
water supply, commenced in October 2006 and is planned
for completion towards the end of 2008.
Five new employees started with this project, which has
provided an opportunity for new employees, apprentices
and trainees to take part in a unique training experience
completing a major mains replacement project.
Warren Street Sewage Pumping Station upgrade
The Warren Street Sewage Pumping Station is Broken Hill’s
largest sewer pumping station. Originally installed in the
1940s, it is being upgraded to ensure continued protection
of public health, the environment and employees’ safety
during scheduled maintenance, and to cater for future growth
in Broken Hill.
Since the project commenced in August 2006, a new main
pipeline has been installed at the pumping station and three
smaller pumping stations have been installed and linked via
a distribution chamber. The major portion of this $500,000
upgrade was completed in 2007–08.
Business partnerships to save water
We work closely with our commercial customers to
support their initiatives to conserve water and achieve
cost efficiencies.
During the year, we provided cash and in-kind support to
help Broken Hill Football League Limited save water at the
town’s largest sporting oval by installing an irrigation system
with timers, moisture sensors and evaporation controls.
This project is anticipated to save around 4,600,000 litres
of water each year.
We also worked closely with Broken Hill City Council, through
Broken Hill Tourism, to distribute new water saving shower
hangers to all accommodation businesses in Broken Hill.
The hanger was designed to encourage all visitors to shorten
their shower time by three minutes, which could save around
21,000 litres of water a year per person.
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