New 50-year water strategy released

CENTRAL Highlands Water’s new Urban Water Strategy has mapped out the organisation’s plans for the next fifty years of service provision throughout the growing region.

The plan looks at supply and demand, wastewater capacity, the impacts of the changing climate and increasing population, regulations, and policies.

CHW managing director Jeff Haydon said community conversations are always key to the development of long-term strategic visions.

“CHW engaged with communities to talk about a future that includes climate change, less water availability and considerable growth in the region,” he said.

“We asked how they use water and about opportunities they see for the local water cycle. Our community members are aware of water supply challenges into the future.

“We are prepared for these challenges and are making sure our supplies are secure for the long-term. Our strategic planning includes investigating new opportunities for recycled water usage, local integrated water management options and regional water grid possibilities.”

CHW has recently released a 2022 Drought Preparedness Plan, which details water resource storage levels, encourages good water-saving habits, and explains other major weather events that can interrupt the usual water supply process.

The municipalities of the City of Ballarat, along with Golden Plains, Central Goldfields, Hepburn, Pyrenees, Northern Grampians, Moorabool, and Corangamite shires are part of the 9275-square-kilometre CHW catchment, and the water board is in charge of 15 water supply and 13 wastewater systems.