By Jessica Micallef
Coliban Water has warned that “unfavourable weather conditions” could force non-compliant water releases into the Campaspe River.
The water company said heavy rain could force it to breach its licence and illegally release water into the river from the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant, which it manages.
Managing director Damian Wells said protecting the Campaspe River was a priority.
“We acknowledge that we must do better to meet environmental regulations and community expectations and we will do better,” he said.
“Our plant is currently compliant with its Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) licence conditions. We have taken some really important steps to invest in proper improvements but these infrastructure works will take time to complete.”
Earlier this month, Coliban Water announced plans to improve waste and domestic treatment processes at the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant.
Additional aerators will be installed in lagoons to ensure the water released from the plant is within the EPA’s licence conditions.
The installation of extra aerators form part of a three phase project in a bid to protect the Campaspe River. “Until these works are completed, the risk of non-compliant water releases remains,” Mr Wells said. “We made a commitment to keep the community informed on any issues and give advance warning of potential non-compliant releases.”
In June, Coliban Water was forced to undertake a daily emergency discharge of class C recycling water from the Kyneton Reclamation Plant into the Campaspe River.
Coliban Water project director Tony Kelly said the project will help ensure water released from the plant is keeping within the EPA’s Victoria standard.
“Our plant has struggled to store the treated water it produces when there isn’t a demand for irrigation water or sufficient flows to release water to the Campaspe River,” he said.
