Listen to the podcast of the March Industry Cluster Evening presentation by Jerome Bailly and Ben Whelan of ALLWATER.
Jerome and Ben spoke about the plans for transition and the next ten years as the alliance partner with SA Water to deliver Adelaide’s water operations and maintenance.
Posted in Events, News, Podcast
Tagged allwater, ben whelan, consortium, jeromebailly, Paris, South Australia, Water Industry Alliance, WIA
Listen to the podcast of the February Industry Cluster Evening presentation by Wayne Gibbings, Chief Executive, Land Management Corporation.
Wayne spoke about the current and future urban developments set for South Australia.
Our next Industry Cluster Evening is set for the 15th March 2011 with guest speaker Jerome Bailly, Alliance General Manager of ALLWATER the new Adelaide O & M Alliance partner. Please email events@waterindustry.com.au to RSVP.
The first 50gigalitre reverse osmosis plant to be commissioned at the Adelaide Desalination Plant site will be delivered in August 2011, which means the facility will be delivering water to the Happy Valley Treatment Plant from that time. Construction will proceed throughout the year with the delivery of the second 50gigalitre reverse osmosis plant due in December 2011.
The AdelaideAqua D&C Consortium says work is also proceeding on the second 50GL reverse osmosis plant, where structural work is well advanced. The number of project personnel has now peaked at 1400 employees and subcontractors working on site.
Some elements of the project have delivered greater than expected benefits, including the environmental management of dredge and drilling spoil treatment, which uses a world-first floating sediment detention basin.
“Managing offshore dredging and drilling spoil during the construction of the intake and outfall structures to protect water quality and near-shore reef communities was considered to be a priority for marine construction activities,” the Consortium says.
“Innovative technology was utilised to manage offshore drilling and dredging activities during construction of the intake and outfall structures. The objective was to minimise generation of a sediment plume, often observed during dredging operations.
“This was achieved using a flat barge, which contained and treated the marine spoil to ensure fluid released into the ocean complied with EPA environmental criteria for protection of marine ecosystems.
“Dredged material is taken onto the barge into sediment tanks where the solids settle through baffles, before feeding into a secondary treatment system of filter units and flocculent dosing. The clean water is returned to the marine environment while the spoil is recycled as clean fill.
“A floating treatment plant was fabricated with the objective of processing the drilling and dredging fluid such that treated discharge to the sea complied with the parameters of the site Dredging and Earthworks Drainage Licence, issued by the SA EPA.
“Establishment of strict water quality and environmental performance criteria for the marine works included a trigger value for turbidity of 10 NTU at 400 m from the construction zone, and ecologically sensitive reefs nearby (less than 600m inshore) were to have a turbidity that did not exceed natural background concentrations, which were generally 2 NTU or less.”
A further challenge was to ensure no visible plume was observed during drilling and dredging.
“The program was considered to be highly successful and has provided a benchmark for managing marine dredging activities on large scale construction projects, with no breaches or incidents,” the Consortium says.
Posted in News, Risk Proofing, Water Creation
Tagged adelaide desal, adelaideaqua, desalination plant, Water
South Australians will have independent water pricing for the first time as part of the biggest overhaul of water industry legislation in the state’s history.
Minister for Water Paul Caica said the draft Water Industry Bill tabled in State Parliament today, will promote greater efficiency, competition and innovation in South Australia’s water industry.
“This draft bill heralds a new era of water management in this State and will bring different water acts of Parliament into a single piece of legislation so South Australia can take an integrated approach to the water industry for the first time,’’ he said.
“The State Government is committed to making this Bill as fair as possible for consumers by regulating water prices and service standards and increasing industry transparency.
“We are seeking to do this by appointing the Essential Services Commission of South Australia as the independent regulator for urban and regional water and wastewater services, just like we have in the Gas and Electricity industries.
“ESCOSA will have the power to regulate prices and standards for water and wastewater services.
“This legislation will also allow for an independent Water Industry Ombudsman, along with a Consumer Advisory Committee to ensure customers’ complaints are investigated.”
Mr Caica said South Australia’s water industry is rapidly developing and the State must adapt with it.
“South Australia’s water industry has responded swiftly to recent drought and water security issues and is also adapting to the impacts of climate change,” he said.
“We have also shown innovation in how we manage our water and it is time we have the legislative basis for a 21st century industry which will be reflected and enforced in this new legislation.
“Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania have also developed similar legislation.
Mr Caica said he tabled the legislation as an exposure draft to give the community and industry the opportunity to consider the drafted provisions before it is introduced to Parliament next year.
“We have already undertaken considerable consultation in drafting this Bill, including a public submission process earlier this year,” he said.
“There will now be a second round of public consultation and I invite anyone with an interest in the State’s future water industry and water resources to provide written comments on the issues and topics raised in the Bill and on the explanatory paper which is available on the Water For Good website.’’
Posted in News, Risk Proofing
Tagged Water, paul caica, water bill, water pricing, ESCOSA, water regulation
Minister for Water Paul Caica released The Water for Good Annual Statement 2010 which shows South Australia is on track to achieve long-term targets to better secure and manage the State’s water supplies.
“I am delighted the annual statement shows that the significant efforts by the community, industry and government, have ensured we are well on-track to achieve the plan’s goals and targets,’’ he said.
“The key actions identified in Water for Good will ensure South Australia has a secure and reliable water supply to support the growth of the state’s population and economy into the future, while also preserving our quality of life and the environment.”
The Plan was launched in 2009 as a blueprint for South Australia’s water security to 2050 and has been monitored by the Commissioner for Water Security Robyn McLeod.
“Tracking the implementation of a major plan like Water for Good is essential and this is why the Government requested the first Annual Statement to assess the plan’s progress, provide demand and supply status information for Greater Adelaide and analyse the impacts of any emerging issues,” she said.
“As well as making significant progress to diversify our water supplies, South Australia’s water security status is greatly improved.”
Significant progress on Water for Good’s 94 actions includes:
Of the 94 actions, six have been achieved, 66 are on track, 18 are within reach, two are unlikely and one has not reached the action timeframe. One action, relating to the temporary weir at Pomanda Island, was assessed as no longer applicable.
“By implementing these actions, South Australia is being recognised as a leader in water supply, innovation and management,” said Mr Caica.
“While work on most actions is on schedule, it will continue to be a challenge to meet all targets outlined in the Plan. For example, introducing targets for water sensitive urban design has not been met within the timeframe, however research is now being conducted by the Goyder Institute to help the development of the target.
“While we have come a long way in terms of implementing the Plan, it is still very early days in the context of a 40-year strategy and we still have much to do to ensure our water future.”
For further information on the Water for Good Annual Statement and report card go to www.waterforgood.gov.au
Save the date for the Annual Water Industry Alliance Awards!
When: Friday 17th June 2011, 11.30-2.30, followed by networking
Where: Adelaide Convention Centre, Hall F
Sponsorship is now available! Click here for the proposal
The most recent Water Industry Alliance e-news is available to download here.
