Anglesea Borefield gets a rest

THE Anglesea Borefield is now in standby mode, following the recovery of local water storages over the past 12 months.
Since Barwon Water started operating it from the middle of last year, the borefield has supplied more than 2,100 megalitres of water.
The record hot and dry start to 2019 meant Barwon Water used the borefield to supplement supplies to Wurdee Boluc Reservoir.
The water authority says its adaptive management of local water supply sources over the past 12 months saw water storages return to the point that the borefield can go on standby, which came into effect yesterday (Wednesday, July 1).
Water from the borefield, combined with water drawn from the Melbourne-Geelong pipeline, means Greater Geelong storages (at 54.8 per cent) are about 12 per cent higher if these sources had not been brought online.
While operating these additional sources of water costs significantly more than traditional rainfall storages, they are an important part of managing the region’s water supply due to erratic and unreliable rainfall due to climate change.
Barwon Water managing director Tracey Slatter said the water authority and the Victorian Government had made a significant investment in alternative water sources.
“The Anglesea borefield is one of a number of water sources that can supplement the existing supply system in response to dry conditions.
“Having a diverse water supply mix is part of a balanced approach to managing the region’s water resources and providing greater water security.
“We are seeing the benefits of our planning and investment.
“The Melbourne to Geelong pipeline, switched on in March last year, is delivering up to 25 million litres of water each day to Geelong’s northern suburbs. Without the access to water via the Melbourne-Geelong pipeline, the storages would be much lower.”
She said the Anglesea borefield had been operated in conjunction with an extensive environmental monitoring program – which includes the community in the oversight through the Anglesea River Working Group – and this would continue with the borefield in standby maintenance mode.
“The environmental monitoring program is in place to provide data and information about the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources in the area and protect the environmental values and health of groundwater dependent ecosystems.
“We are committed to keeping the community informed about the borefield and our monitoring program, and this will continue when the borefield is in standby mode.”
For more information, head to yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/anglesea-borefield.