Following the commencement of controlled treated water releases from the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant last week, Coliban Water advises that Class C recycled water will be part of the daily controlled release from midday today – Thursday 6 June 2019.
Class C recycled water will be mixed with Class B recycled water when released from the plant to the Campaspe River.
Up to four megalitres of water will be released per day, which could increase in the event of wet weather inflows.
Coliban Water advised on Friday 31 May 2019 that they commenced the release of Class B recycled water and would need to commence releasing Class C standard water in coming weeks.
The recent rainfall over the weekend has made the release of this class of water necessary to be done sooner than previously advised.
With the addition of Class C recycled water, landowners downstream of the plant who draw water for stock and domestic purposes should consider the guidance for use of water from the Campaspe River provided by the EPA.
For further information please see the media release (Controlled water release from Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant 31 May 2019), contact our Customer Support Team on 1300 363 200 or visit our website – www.coliban.com.au.
The EPA provides the following recommendations for the use of water from the Campaspe River:
• Do not drink the river water
• Do not use the river water for any domestic use such as washing, showering, bathing or processing food. This water may be used for the flushing of toilets.
• Do not use the river water for any recreational use, such as filling backyard swimming pools.
• Do not consume any animal, such as fish and crayfish, caught from the Campaspe River.
• Do not use the river water for irrigating food crops consumed raw. This water may be used for irrigating non-food crops such as turf, trees and flowers, provided basic hygiene is practiced, with a preference for using an underground drip-feed system.
It may also be used to irrigate trees when produce grow 1 metre above the ground. The produce should not be wet from the water used for irrigation when harvested. Dropped produce must not be harvested.
• Do not use the river water for watering stock when Class C water is discharged. Class B recycled water is the minimum required.
• Do not use the river water as a wash down water for milking machinery when Class C recycled water is discharged. Class B recycled water is the minimum required.
• Restrict public and stock during irrigation periods, and for a period of four hours after irrigation, or until dry, drying or ensiling of fodder. The water can be used for irrigation of pasture and fodder for dairy cattle subject to a withholding period of five days before pasture use, drying or ensiling of fodder.
• Controls must be in place to ensure pigs are not exposed to this pasture or fodder.