Barwon Water announced the awarding of the major works contract for its Recycled Water on the Bellarine Stage 3 project.
Aqua Metro will construct the Barwon Water’s salt reduction plant in Portarlington, a major component of the project that will deliver better quality recycled water for agricultural and horticultural use by farmers and growers on the Bellarine Peninsula.
The project is supported by $5.53 million of funding from the federal government and $1.97 million from the Victorian government, with Barwon Water contributing the remaining funding.
Using ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis to produce water with a significantly lower salinity than the Class C water provided by the existing plant, the higher quality water will able to be used for drinking water for livestock.
Barwon Water Managing Director Shaun Cumming said the project would create dozens of local jobs, while preserving Bellarine Peninsula’s unique landscape and reducing reliance on drinking water for agriculture.
“We have been working with Bellarine Peninsula farmers over the past four years to understand the best way to support our businesses, which involved improving the quality of recycled water and making more of it available,” Mr Cumming said.
“This project is helping Barwon Water achieve its Strategy 2030 aim to recycle 100 per cent of the wastewater treated at our water reclamation plants.
“The upgrade will save more drinking water for Barwon Water customers and double the amount of recycled water used on the Bellarine, presenting opportunities for more farms and businesses to connect to this valuable resource.”
Barwon Water said the project was likely to begin in late 2024 or early 2025 and be completed in 2026.
