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.

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 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.

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.’’

“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:

• The $1.83 billion Adelaide Desalination Plant on track to produce water by April.
• A strong investment in stormwater projects to enable Greater Adelaide to exceed stormwater harvesting targets of 20 GL a year by 2013.
• Action on key wastewater projects, such as the $76.25 million Glenelg to Adelaide Park Lands Recycled Water Project to water Adelaide’s park lands, which was completed ahead of schedule.
• Implementation of a number of measures to educate the community and encourage wise water use, such as through the WaterWise Communities initiative.
• Undertaking emergency measures to mitigate the impacts of low inflows to the Lower Lakes and Coorong.
• Investing in cutting-edge water research and innovation through the new $50 million Goyder Institute for Water Research.
• Tabling of the of the draft Water Industry Bill, which proposes to appoint the Essential Services Commission of South Australia to licence and regulate prices for the water industry, and improve customer and industry dispute resolution through an Ombudsman scheme.

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

Congratulations to Tim Waterhouse, our newly elected Chair and to Judith Bradsen our new Deputy Chair. Tim is a Director of Sentek and Australian Water Investments and was previously a director of the CRC for Irrigation Futures. Tim’s particular interests are in the irrigation, water and IT sectors with a focus on strategically focussed small business development. He mentors a number of SME’s in the water and IT fields.

Judith is a Partner at Minter Ellison Lawyers, where her principal areas of practice are environmental, resources and planning law, heritage law (including Aboriginal heritage), water law and administrative law generally. Judith provides regular advice and representation to various commercial, manufacturing and industry sectors, including electricity, telecommunications, mining, and forestry corporations, as well as to select local councils.

We are excited to welcome this Board and take the Water Industry Alliance into its next incarnation.

• Tim Waterhouse, Sentek – Chair
• Judith Bradsen, Minter Ellison Lawyers – Deputy Chair
• Chris Stathy, Philmac – Treasurer
• Mike Terlet, United Water
• Doug Gee, SA Water
• Tanja Stefanovic, Australian Water Association
• David Rush, Department of Trade and Economic Development
• Duncan Whitfield, McConnell Dowell
• Andrew Ferguson, United Utilities
• Robert Debelle, Consultant
• Grant Schroeder, Maric Flow Control

Then please join Rob Freeman, CEO of the Murray Darling Basin Authority at our next Market Solution Forum. ‘Is Water Reform on Track?’

Market Solution Forums are NOT conferences!  Interactive, and focused on solutions that industry and potentially your company can bring to the table.

The forum will also include a briefing from SA Government on the draft South Australian Water Bill that is intended to encourage competition and innovation. Speakers include Professor Mike Young, University of Adelaide, Judith Bradsen, Partner at Minter Ellison Lawyers and Tom Rooney, CEO Waterfind.

Is Water Reform on Track? Market Solution Forum
When: 14^th December, 2.15-5pm, followed by networking over drinks and nibbles and the December Industry Cluster Evening
Where: SA Water Learning Centre, 250 Victoria Square
RSVP: $70 WIA Members, $95 non-WIA members @http://mybookingmanager.com/waterreformmsfdec10

Rob Freeman will also be our guest speaker at the December Industry Cluster Evening.

December Industry Cluster Evening
When: 14^th December, 5.15 for a 5.30pm start
Topic: Understanding the Murray Darling Basin draft plan, with guest speaker Rob Freeman, CEO, MDBA
Where: SA Water Learning Centre, 250 Victoria Square
RSVP: admin@waterindustry.com.au

John spoke about some of the challenges facing the Grampians Wimmera Mallee region, including drought and the large scale projects such as the Wimmera Mallee pipeline. An interesting feature of this talk is what GWM water is doing to look forward to the future including, building a new social contract, adapting to a drier future climate, supporting sustainable growth and reducing the environmental footprint.

The November Industry Cluster was held at Parsons Brinckerhoff.

You can view his presentation below.