Mount Barker Wastewater Treatment Plant update - April 2020

Population within the Mount Barker district is increasing at around 2-2.5% per year and this upward trend is expected to continue over the next 20 years. The treated water produced at the Mount Barker Wastewater Treatment Plant is increasing in-line with this and parts of the system, the largest of its kind in the state, are already at capacity.

Until recently, Hillgrove Mines were buying most of the recycled water from our facility, but due to the closure of their Kanmantoo site, demand has come to an end. As a result, we are now producing more treated water than we are able to sell.

Recycled water provides the community with environmental, economic and social value, offering irrigation opportunities for open spaces, certain food crops, woodlots, ornamental trees, nurseries and our award winning Laratinga Wetlands. Our aging infrastructure however means that we can’t guarantee the high standards required for this broad application and therefore opportunities to reduce our oversupply are limited.

To increase the quantity of wastewater we are able to treat and also improve the quality of recycled water, Council has been working on a plan to upgrade the facility’s infrastructure. Until the facility upgrade is complete however, the majority of recycled water will need to be discharged into the Mount Barker Creek. We understand this is not ideal and we are working to reduce the impact by:

• Developing an Environmental Improvement Plan in accordance with EPA requirements for the site and our operations,
• Only discharging into the creek when absolutely necessary and in a way that minimises environmental impacts, and
• Investigating opportunities to improve short-term water quality, find new users and uses of recycled water and other methods to discharge the over-supply.

Mount Barker District Council has staff available to talk with you about any aspect of the Mount Barker Wastewater Facility and upgrade plans. We are available during business hours, and have a designated phone number and email that you can use to contact us. Ph: 8389 7268 Email: yoursay@mountbarker.sa.gov.au

For more information about our journey: https://www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/major-projects/wwexpansion