Storage study for water plan

Barwon Water is set to look underground for storing future drinking supplies.
A spokesman said yesterday that the authority would begin a study into the potential of storing “appropriate-quality water” underground for use in the future.
The spokesman declined to say whether “appropriate-quality” meant recycled or stormwater.
However, he said investigating water in the aquifer would be the “first step”.
“A major consideration of the research will be the quality of water in the upper-aquifer,” the spokesman said.
“This will then determine the appropriate quality of water that may be used for recharging the aquifer.”
The study follows Adelaide trials of underground stormwater storage for drinking supplies and media reports yesterday that Victorian environmental monitor Mick Bourke had said regional areas in the state were not “too far off” turning to recycled water.
Barwon Water strategy and technology executive manager Joe Adamski said hydro-geologists would begin the study into the potential for “aquifer recharge” next year.
The research was “at the embryonic stage” and completion could take up to six years, he said.
“It is very early days but managed aquifer recharge has shown to be a promising and innovative water storage technique,” Mr Adamski said.
“It reflects strong water conservation principles, particularly in minimising water losses through evaporation and is a potential tool for effectively using valuable water resources.”
Mr Adamski said the aquifer recharge option was part of Barwon Water’s “big-picture look” for securing the region’s future supplies.
Initial research would focus on gathering information on geology and groundwater characteristics.
“This would involve drilling a number of bores to collect and analyse geological, hydro-geological, groundwater and soil-chemistry data,” he said.
“If the research confirms the geology and other characteristics are possibly suitable for managed aquifer recharge, then further investigations will be undertaken.”
The spokesperson said Victorian Water Trust had providing funding for the study.