Bungendore Water Supply Augmentation Final Report
Water Smart Australia
Project Description
The funding allocation of $1.0 million provided under the Australian Government’s
Water Smart Program has assisted Council with the augmentation of water supply
facilities at Bungendore; required to cater for the town’s growth. The Australian
Government’s funds have contributed towards the construction of a water re-use
system and towards preliminary activities for the construction of the Currandooly
Water Supply System which will supplement the existing but limited potable supply
arrangements for the town.
Objectives of the project
The objectives of the project were:
a. To conserve the existing potable water supply by utilising treated effluent to replace
mains water for playing field irrigation.
b. To provide a supplementary water source for the continuing growth of Bungendore.
c. To provide and operate the new facilities under financial arrangements that are
affordable to the Bungendore community.
How was the project carried out?
a. Effluent Re-Use System: With reference to the attached aerial map, a new 150 mm
dia rising main was constructed by Council to transfer treated effluent from the ponds
of the Bungendore Sewage Treatment Works (Photo A) to an underground storage
tank at Mick Sherd Oval in central Bungendore (Photo B). Submersible pumps were
installed in the storage tank to deliver the U-V and chlorine treated effluent to an
underground irrigation system on the nearby playing field.
b. The Currandooly Water Suppy System: The concepts for the Currandooly water
treatment plant were completed by NSW Public Works and the new water treatment
plant and transfer pump station were designed and constructed under a contract with
Water Treatment Australia Pty Ltd. Refer to Photos C & D. Council engaged NSW
Public Works to manage the contact.
Council arranged the necessary land and easement acquisitions through dealings with
the local land owners concerned. The bore water delivery main from the bore site to
the water treatment plant and the clear water delivery main (Photo E) from the water
treatment plant to town were both constructed by Council work crews. The pipes and
fittings were purchased under a contract with Tyco Water. Council also arranged the
construction of the Currandooly bore (Photo F) using a combination of contractors
and Council work crews.
Was the project successfully completed?
Yes. The contract works and the Council day labour works were successfully
completed to high standards and to Council's expectations. The new water treatment
plant was handed over to Council in September 2013 and the Currandooly water
supply system became fully operational on 8 October 2013 when treated water from
the new plant was first supplied to the town.
Were all objectives of the project successfully achieved?
Yes. The effluent re-use system is working well and through the underground
irrigation system is keeping a good and healthy cover of grass on Mick Sherd Oval for
the benefit of the many users. The use of the reclaimed water from the sewage
treatment works has cut significantly the water demand from the town’s potable water
supply system which was previously utilised to supply irrigation water.
The new Currandooly bore, delivery mains, water treatment plant and transfer station
have been constructed to a high standard and are operating efficiently to provide high
quality water to supplement the existing town supply.
What are the benefits of the project?
The project has made extra potable water available to the town of Bungendore which
can now continue to grow at its natural rate into the future.
Were there any significant issues with implementing the project and how were
these overcome?
There were a few issues to deal with during the course of the project but none that
could not be solved.
Was the project completed within the original timeframes?
No, as explained below.
Please provide a brief explanation for any delays:
Most of the milestones for the project were achieved close to the timeframes set in the
funding agreement, as amended in the department’s letter of 28 January 2010. Some
of the land and easement acquisition procedures took longer than anticipated due to
complications arising out of dealings with individual landowners. These included the
need to compulsorily acquire an easement over private land for part of the effluent reuse main and the need to arrange extra valuations for the purchase of the water
treatment plant site.
Please describe any assets created as part of the project:
Council has gained an effluent re-use main and the new Currandooly Water Supply
System valued at $5.3million.
Who will be managing these assets post project closure and how will they be
managed?
The new assets will be managed and operated by Palerang Council. The ongoing
operation and upkeep costs will be funded from the annual water supply charges that
are levied on the customers utilising the town water service.
PHOTO A – The sewage treatment works end of effluent re-use main showing ponds, tank,
pumps, switchgear and purple effluent pipework at start of the underground main to oval.
PHOTO B – Mick Sherd Oval end of effluent rising main, showing lid to underground
storage tank, switchgear cubicle for submersible pumps and irrigated oval in the background
PHOTO C – Currandooly water treatment plant during construction
PHOTO D – Completed and operating Currandooly water treatment plant
PHOTO E – The 200mm dia clear water delivery main under construction
PHOTO F – The new Currandooly bore showing concrete enclosure for pump motor and
valves, electrical switchgear/control cubicle and start of bore water delivery main.