'Eyes of Australia' on Orange's stormwater project
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The Orange City Council will this week let the tender for the a major component of its $5 million stormwater harvesting project.
The council has received seven tenders for the construction of a weir on the Blackmans Swamp Creek, and a new dam.
Mayor Reg Kidd says the water will be piped to the dam for treatment, before it is added to Suma Park Dam.
"It's all pretty exciting stuff," he said.
"I'm quite sure the eyes of Australia will be looking at us here because it's future technology and it's something that's needed to secure future water supplies for cities and towns and villages."
Councillor Kidd says the scheme will allow up to 2,200 megalitres of stormwater run-off to be harvested each year.
In an average year, 12,000 megalitres flows down the waterway.
"Limiting the harvesting to 10 per cent ensures environmental flows are maintain and downstream users who rely on water for their livelihood and lifestyle are not adversely affected," he said.
"That's really, really important."
The scheme will see Orange become the first centre in Australia to harvest stormwater, which will be treated and used to drink.
The council says the project is on schedule and on budget.
The first harvesting is planned for March next year.
