CENTRAL HIGHLANDS WATER

 The storms of last weekend resulted in a number of challenges across many water supply and sewerage districts in the Central Highlands region.
 
CHW crews worked throughout the weekend ensuring water supply and sewerage services returned to normal operations.
 
Full pressure has now been restored in Smeaton where a large tree broke through the water mains crossing Birches Creek, resulting in interruptions to supply and reduced water pressure on Sunday.
 
CHW maintenance crews located the problem yesterday and tankers were used to provide water while interim repairs were undertaken to  restore the service to full pressure.  Crews will return to finalise repairs once weather and ground conditions improve.
 
CHW encourages customers to report water and sewer problems to the 24 hours hotline 13 WATER – 13 92837.

When Geoff and Marion Lillie from Ballarat signed up for Central Highlands Water’s PROJECTaquarius2 Toilet Retrofit program, they didn’t think they would receive their new dual flush water efficient toilet free of charge!

The Lillie’s won back the full cost of their PROJECTaquarius2 Toilet Retrofit, which has helped them to save money whilst saving water.

By completing a feedback survey upon completion of their toilet retrofit, the Lillie’s automatically went into the draw to win back the cost of their retrofit, which was provided by CHW contractor, Schultz Plumbing.

The Lillie’s thanked Schultz Plumbing and CHW for offering this excellent water efficiency program.

Central Highlands Water (CHW)’s $5 million dollar Water Quality Improvement Project for Avoca is on track for completion in October this year.

The project is designed to significantly improve the water quality for Avoca residents and will deliver a higher quality potable (drinking) water supply in line with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). 

The water quality project includes a new bore which was commissioned in April this year, clarifier unit and a new water treatment process.

Central Highlands Water (CHW) has received a number of reports from concerned residents in the Ballarat and Maryborough about a water filter company and its sales tactics.

The residents undertook a survey and were later advised that they had won a “free” water filter system only to find out that there were substantial costs associated with purchasing the filter cartridge, plus postage and handling.

One resident advised that when she contacted the sales company to decline the offer they were very abrupt and that she didn’t want to see other people placed in the same position.

CHW has also been aware of other companies door knocking areas within the region with reported techniques that involve the offer to lease reverse osmosis water filters to customers with annual charges up to $1,500 per year.

Central Highlands Water (CHW) is giving Maryborough gardeners the change to exchange their old twist hose nozzles with a new water efficient trigger nozzle, thanks to a Victorian State Government initiative.

The free trigger nozzles are now available from the CHW offices in High Street, Maryborough, with a limit of two trigger nozzles per household.

Customers in the Maryborough & district water supply system moved to Stage 3 Water Restriction on August 1. Stage 3 water restrictions allow gardens to be watered for during two two-hour time periods on specified days.

Odd numbered houses can water on Sunday and Wednesday and even and un-numbered houses on Saturday and Tuesday.

Whilst gardeners have more flexibility about when they can use water under Stage 3 water restrictions, CHW encourages customers to continue to use water wisely. Lower demand through sustainable water use in the district has contributed greatly to the recovery of water resources.

Maryborough’s gardeners have demonstrated that it is possible to maintain their gardens while water restrictions have been in place. 

From this Sunday, 1 August, Central Highlands Water (CHW) will be easing water restrictions to Stage 3 in the Maryborough & District water supply system.

The Board of CHW made the decision in June to ease restrictions due to the positive impact on water security in the Maryborough & District water supply system resulting from investment into infrastructure projects including Stoney Creek and Moolort Groundwater, and good inflows into Centenary and Evansford Reservoirs.

The continuing efforts of Maryborough customers over the last few years of restrictions has also made it possible to ease restrictions, allowing greater flexibility in watering times for the community.

Under Stage 3 Water Restrictions, residents with odd numbered properties can water their gardens on Sunday and Wednesday, with a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle for a two hour period, twice a day. Manual watering systems and automatic dripper systems can be used. Residents at even numbered properties can water on Saturday and Tuesday.

From this Sunday 1 August, Central Highlands Water (CHW) will be easing water restrictions in the Ballarat & District water supply system to Stage 1, offering greater choice and flexibility to customers.

CHW made the decision in June to ease water restrictions after further reviewing water resources and demand in the District. Current demand in the Ballarat District is at the same level it was 60 years ago, with half the population.

Investments in major infrastructure projects including the Goldfields Superpipe, and securing of a greater storage capacity in the Goulburn region, and the continued efforts of residential and commercial customers in using water wisely, have combined to create a secure and sustainable water supply. 

These investments mean that Ballarat & District has a diverse system of water resources which doesn’t just rely on local rainfall and system inflows.

Under Stage 1 restrictions, Ballarat & District residents can water gardens or lawns with a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, or bucket at any time. The “odds and evens” watering days will only apply when using a manual or automatic watering system.

Sports grounds, parks and other community assets also benefit from the change, with the ability to water for up to eight hours per day on alternate days.

Members of the Maryborough Water Resource Stakeholder Task Group met today with the Board of Central Highlands Water (CHW) which was in Maryborough for its monthly Board meeting.

The Task Group was invited to meet new Directors and discuss the current progress on water resource projects being carried out in the Maryborough & District water supply system. 

This meeting was also the first CHW Board meeting with new Chairman Jeremy Johnson, and Director Tim Blood since their appointment on 1 July 2010.

Central Highlands Water (CHW) has announced that a contract has been signed with Water Infrastructure Group (WI Group) for the construction of the Country Towns’ Sewerage Schemes for Blackwood, Gordon, Smythesdale, Waubra and an upgrade of the Beaufort Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Managing Director, Neil Brennan said the appointment of WI Group followed a rigorous process of assessment of tenders last year.  
 
“It was critical for CHW to ensure the best solution was found to address public health and environmental issues and to ensure the sustainability of the projects in the long term”, Mr Brennan said.
 
“WI Group has already begun working on obtaining approvals and finalising detailed designs, ready to commence construction later this year”, Mr Brennan said.
 
“We are aware that the project timelines have extended past initial expectations but CHW was determined to find the best solution for residents, and also a sustainable solution which will be approved by our regulators”, he said.
 
Technical information about the four schemes will be made available once the design phase has been completed and residents will have the opportunity to attend information sessions in their towns in coming months.

The Minister for Water, Tim Holding has appointed a new Chairman and Director to the Board of Central Highlands Water from next month.

Mr Jeremy Johnson, CEO of Sovereign Hill, will join CHW from 1 July 2010 as Chairman.

Mr Johnson is a well known Ballarat identity who has many years of senior management and Board experience for a range of public and private organisations including VECCI and industry bodies.

Also joining CHW as Director is Mr Tim Blood, Director of Tim Blood and Associates.  Mr Blood's previous experience includes Chair and Chief Executive Officer of P&O Australia, senior management roles with listed construction companies and considerable experience in project management of engineering and construction projects.