A proposed water recycling scheme north of Adelaide is predicted to create up to 1000 new primary production jobs.
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Water and the River Murray Minister Ian Hunter said the State Government has identified up to 20 gigalitres of additional recycled water from its Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant that can be used by growers and other water users in the Northern Adelaide Plains region.
“The State Government in August called for expressions of interest from private enterprise for the collection and distribution of this additional 20gL of treated water from the plant," he said.
“The Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (NAIS), would help provide great economic benefit to the Northern Adelaide Plains region and wider SA community.”
Agriculture Minister Leon Bignell said the Northern Adelaide Plains region was ripe for growth.
“The Federal Government’s ‘Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper’ identified the waste water re-use expansion in the Northern Adelaide Plains as a potential project for SA,” he said.
“Supporting producers in the Northern Adelaide Plains region with a project of this nature has the potential to significantly increase exports and grow the existing local agricultural industry.
“The State Government is committed to supporting our primary producers to use natural resources more efficiently and sustainably, and to expand their businesses and market presence.”
The Virginia Pipeline Scheme delivers about 17gL of recycled water per year from the Bolivar WWTP to more than 400 growers north of Adelaide.
“The pipeline scheme is at capacity in summer, but there is potential to store recycled water produced in winter for use during the drier months,” Mr Hunter said.
“Of the 20gL identified, 8gL is produced in summer and its use is dependent on additional infrastructure.
“The availability of the remaining 12gL generated in winter is subject to storage.
“This could be above or below ground, or a combination of both, and that’s one of the things SA Water is currently consulting with the local community and other stakeholders about.
“To deliver additional water to the region from Bolivar, we need the support of industry and the community.
“The community engagement process together with the EOI will enable us to understand the issues and opportunities, and deliver a sustainable solution that benefits the region and the state.”
EOIs need to be lodged by November 24 via the SA Tenders and Contracts website.