Mount Barker Wastewater Draft Environmental Improvement Program

We conducted community consultation regarding the draft Mount Barker Wastewater Treatment Facility Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) between 5-25 May 2020.

We received 5 submissions. Feedback received predominantly supported that the EIP was fit for purpose.

Feedback identified the following themes:

• The health of Mount Barker Creek and commitment to its restoration,
• Achieving 100% reuse of recycled water,
• Optimising the social benefits from recycled water,
• The cost of the upgrade and alternative upgrade options, and
• Future commitment to community consultation and stakeholder involvement.

As a result of the consultation, a minor change to the draft EIP has been made:

• Data was updated to reflect the current dwelling growth projections from 7,000 to 10,000.

The EIP is a regulatory requirement of the EPA to address the impacts from the wastewater treatment plant to the environment. Seeking community feedback on the draft EIP was the purpose of the consultation however the overall health of Mount Barker Creek featured often in the community response. Whilst this is not within the scope of the EIP, council will be meeting with the EPA and the Landscape Board shortly to discuss broader environmental needs and how we can facilitate improved outcomes for the Mount Barker Creek into the future.

Related files:

• A summary of consultation providing council’s response to each issue raised
• Council Agenda, 12.9: Wastewater draft Environmental Improvement Plan – results of community consultation (page 125)

Mount Barker District Council is working hard to improve its environmental performance with respect to the treatment of wastewater. A draft Environmental Improvement Program has been carefully prepared to describe how Council will achieve improvements in environmental management at the Mount Barker Wastewater Treatment Facility.

Mayor Ann Ferguson says, “As we deal with issues around climate change and population growth, we need to make sure our wastewater management is able to meet these challenges now and for future generations.”

The program defines the key high priority actions Mount Barker District Council is pursuing to achieve its environmental goals. The benefits of the plan include, improved:

• Environmental performance,
• Accountability and transparency between Council and the community, and
• Protection of our natural environment.

The draft plan will be submitted to the EPA for review and approval in June 2020 and you can read the draft program here.

Mount Barker District Council has staff available to talk with you about any aspect of the Environmental Improvement Program for the Mount Barker Waste Water Treatment Plant. We are available during business hours, and have a designated phone number and email that you can use to contact us.

P: 8391 7268

E: yoursay@mountbarker.sa.gov.au

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