By NOEL MURPHY
ENVIRONMENTALISTS are anxiously awaiting a Barwon Water report on the effects of tapping an Anglesea aquifer and its impact on nearby swamplands.
Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros said State Government had requested the report from Barwon Water.
Ms Lindros was concerned that Barwon Water’s plan for a new pipeline to Colac would put more pressure on local groundwater supplies.
Barwon Water environment committee meetings had heard that taking extra borewater could affect swampland and possibly lower the water table, she said.
“But it’s been nothing definitive yet. We’re concerned to find out the effects of drawing water from borefields – not only on swampland but also on the level of the aquifers themselves because the public doesn’t know how quickly the aquifers are topping up on rainwater versus drawing it out.
“Nobody knows how long to takes and, hopefully, eventually they’ll find out.”
Barwon Water general manager infrastructure services Paul Northey said the Colac pipeline would “only be used when absolutely required”.
“Depending on the scenario, sources such as the borefields may not be required to supply Geelong,” he said.
“In the event they were, all Barwon Water supply sources are protected by bulk entitlements or licences governing the amount of water that can be taken.”
Mr Northey said Ms Lindros’ concerns about swampland and the water table appeared based on a presentation postulating a “worst-case scenario modelled on 43 years continuous groundwater pumping at a rate of seven gigalitres a year”.
“Modeling means stringent control measures can be developed to protect the surrounding environment, including the Anglesea swampland.”
