Major work contract awarded for recycled water project

A VICTORIAN construction company has been selected to assist Barwon Water in doubling the amount of recycled water used on the Bellarine.

Aqua Metro Pty Ltd will help construct a new salt reduction plant, a major component of the Recycled Water on the Bellarine Stage 3 project.

The plant in Portarlington will produce better quality, fit-for-purpose recycled water for farmers and growers on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Additionally, it will unlock new agricultural and horticultural production opportunities, including for wineries, cellar doors and farm gate tourism.

Barwon Water managing director Shaun Cumming said the project would secure the future of key local industries and create dozens of local jobs.

“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.”

The innovative project will involve installing an ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis plant to produce the water at a significantly lower salinity than the existing higher-class water.

Barwon Water plans to supply 450 million litres of lower salinity recycled water per year to new and existing agricultural and horticultural customers.

“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,” Mr Cumming said.

“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.”

The project is likely to begin in late 2024 or early 2025.

Completion is slated for 2026.