Council Minutes - Town of Cambridge

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COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER 2011 Of greatest concern is that regulatory approval for the project will need firm data confirming water quality of the stormwater is better than the aquifer. If this is not proven then water treatment (at significant costs) will be necessary. Sampling to date is not sufficiently robust to make the risk free assumption that the HMD water quality can be left untreated prior to infiltration to the aquifer. A significant cost risk is thus left unanswered. The second main issue is that further hydro geological analysis is necessary to properly model the ground conditions to ensure sufficient understanding is made of water infiltration and impacts on Water Corporation's drain asset and Wembley Golf Course ground water. The risk assessment leads to the conclusion that there is insufficient certainty at this stage to identify the likely capital and operating budgets for the project. Grant Funding The Commonwealth Government recently closed submissions for Round 3 funding of Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse grants. The Town may have been in a position to submit an application for partial funding (up to 50%) of this project however with the degree of uncertainty regarding costs and no Council decision to proceed; it was decided not to submit an application. If a decision is made to continue with this project, funding sources will be explored. Perry Lakes The consultant also provided some advice as to the feasibility of harvesting stormwater from HMD and diverting it to Perry Lakes. The initial advice is that the system would need to pump water from the drain, into new pressure pipes and into the lakes. The capital cost would be in the order of $4.5 million with significant operating costs for electricity to run the pumping process. This issue has not been pursued further. Necessary Works to Reduce Risks If a decision was made to continue with this project, the following actions need to be undertaken to better quantify the project capital, operating costs and general risk: Measure water quality in both the local aquifer and HMD over the same time frame for a nominal 12 month period Measure water flow in HMD over a nominal 12 month period to confirm data that is 10 years old Undertake assessment of vegetation and environmental impacts of the infiltration basin Complete hydro geological modelling to greater degree of certainty Review budgets based on the outcomes of investigations It is estimated that the costs of these investigative works would be in the order of $150,000. Why should Town of Cambridge Invest in this Project? Irrigation Supply Currently, there is no charge levied for bore water licensed to the Town for irrigation. The Town has a licence for irrigation suffice for current needs (assuming the Town continues its program of water friendly plantings). If, in a drying climate, circumstances change and the State implements significant restrictions to irrigation supply, this project may present itself as a better financial outcome for the Town to continue irrigation of its golf course, parks and gardens. H:\CEO\GOV\COUNCIL MINUTES\11 MINUTES\DECEMBER 2011\C CR.DOCX 197
COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER 2011 Wembley Golf Course Amenity Sub options of this project may include pumping some of the harvested stormwater to create feature lakes inside Wembley Golf Course. This would add to the visual amenity of Wembley Golf Course but it is difficult to justify the expense in terms of additional golfing revenue. Walking Trail Amenity The Town is considering extensions to the Western Bushland and Lakeland Regional Trails, inclusive of a trail inside Wembley Golf Course at the proposed site of the infiltration basin. This project would add to the visual beauty of the trail. Environmental Benefits The project sees approximately 20% of the HMD stormwater that would normally go to ocean outfall being reclaimed and infiltrated into the groundwater table. This outcome is considered an environmental benefit and better improves the overall water balance in urban areas. The question before Council is one of who is most responsible to implement this issue? It is also noted that the project will require about 10,000 m 2 of vegetation to be removed. Whilst it is understood that the area is not a conservation zone nominated by Department of Environment (ie no threatened species of flora or fauna); clearing of trees will make way for water savings. Further analysis may be warranted to address this issue. POLICY/STATUTORY IMPLICATIONS: Nil STRATEGIC DIRECTION: The opportunity for reuse of Herdsman Main Drain water supports the Town's 2009-2020 Strategic Plan vision of Environmental Leadership through the action of "Reducing our water consumption and improving the quality of ground and surface water, essential to our lake, wetlands and coastal environments" COMMUNITY CONSULTATION: In accordance with the Town's existing Community Consultation Matrix, this report would require the Town to inform the community in an appropriate manner. Inclusion within the Council minutes is deemed appropriate at this time. SUMMARY: 1. Herdsman Main Drain delivers a significant amount of stormwater, mixed with groundwater, to ocean outfall. 2. It is technically feasible to reclaim about 20% of this outfall by way of a gravity fed system to an infiltration basin within Wembley Golf Course. This amount of water would more than offset the current volume taken by the Town from groundwater. 3. Capital costs of ~ $960,000 and annual operating costs of ~ $125,000 would be envisaged for this outcome. 4. The need to undertake this project now is not immediately apparent. 5. Further investigations are necessary to quantify and mitigate some risks. Funding in the of $150,000 would be necessary. H:\CEO\GOV\COUNCIL MINUTES\11 MINUTES\DECEMBER 2011\C CR.DOCX 198
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Page 149 and 150: COUNCIL MINUTES TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER
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Council Minutes - Town of Cambridge

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