Tree plantation using treated wastewater to be set up near Dardanup

3/7/96

Thousands of trees destined for harvest and export are to be grown near Dardanup, using treated wastewater.

The innovative Water Corporation project is the first of its type in the South-West and one of only two in Western Australia.

The success of the project, and a similar venture near Albany, could see the establishment of tree plantations throughout WA, irrigated by treated wastewater effluent.

Water Resources Minister Roger Nicholls today highlighted the significant environmental, economic and social benefits of the venture when officially opening Dardanup's new $2.2 million sewerage scheme.

The scheme replaces the town's old septic tank and leach drain system which posed health risks because of the region's poor soil drainage and high water table. Replacement of the old system was seen as a priority of the State Government's $800 million Infill Sewerage Program.

Mr Nicholls said Dardanup's new wastewater scheme was unique in the South-West.

"It is the first South-West scheme to use treated wastewater to irrigate a significant tree plantation and the first scheme to use the technologically- advanced vacuum method of reticulating the town's effluent," he said.

The local community involved itself in making the new scheme an environmental success story when the Water Corporation contracted a local primary school to collect and deliver old tyres to line the four settling ponds at the scheme's new treatment plant. "It really has been a win-win situation for everyone," Mr Nicholls said.

"The old tyres were re-used rather than being dumped; the tyres help protect the plastic lining of the ponds which stop effluent leakage, and the Parents' and Citizens' Association of the Dardanup Primary School raised funds by placing the tyres in the treatment plant ponds."

The Dardanup wastewater scheme now services 130 Dardanup lots, including the town's main commercial area. Effluent is taken in vacuum piping from the town to the pump station, then sent four kilometres south-east of Dardanup to the treatment plant.

There, the treated wastewater effluent will be reticulated to 21,000 blue gums, planted by CALM on a 13-hectare site adjacent to the plant. There is scope for the planting of up to 90,000 trees.

The Minister said the project was a good example of the State Government's approach to the treatment and reuse of wastewater.

"The Government is committed to producing wastewater treatment and disposal strategies which are environmentally, socially and economically acceptable," he said.

To mark the formal opening of the sewerage scheme, Mr Nicholls presented a computer with 16 educational programs to the Dardanup Primary School.

The computer was provided by the Water Corporation which recently upgraded its computers.

"I must say that presenting a computer to children is more useful than merely unveiling a plaque," Mr Nicholls said.

Media contacts: Hugh Ryan (09) 322 6529 Tony Snelling (097) 910 456