BCAA on target

The Brisbane Caboolture Aquifer Alliance Team has commissioned the first of 6 plants to be delivered as part of the regional drought relief strategy on programme.

On the 28th June, 2007 Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman tapped into one of the city's oldest natural water supply systems to help the city beat the worst drought and water supply crisis in living memory.

The opening of the Sunnybank Water Treatment Plant bore site signalled the tapping of the first new major water source in Brisbane for over 20 years - and one that has not been used for over 175 years.

"We are now tapping into a valuable water supply resource that has not been used in Brisbane for drinking purposes since the 1830's," Cr Newman said.

The Sunnybank Water Treatment Plant is the first of Brisbane's five aquifer projects to provide treated drinking water directly to water pipes.

Cr Newman said it was a crucial part of the 'back to the future' Regional Drought Project that would help ensure the future supply of drinking water.

"The Sunnybank Aquifer site will add up to 2.5 million litres of treated groundwater a day to Brisbane's dwindling water supply," Cr Newman said.

"There are a lot of country towns that use bore water for drinking purposes and the very big lesson we must acknowledge is that this is an excellent source of drinking water that must be used responsibly and sustainably."

In total, the $75 million Brisbane Aquifer Project will create an additional 20 million litres of potable water per day - about six per cent of the city's current drinking water supply.

Other water treatment plants will be in Runcorn, Algester, Chandler and Forest Lake.

"This groundwater is coming from the Sunnybank Formation - a dynamic underground sand-based water system that stretches from Greenbank to the Brisbane River," he said.

Cr Newman said new water being added to the mains from the aquifer project would be treated to the same high standards as the current water supply.

"The new water treatment plants will filter, disinfect and stabilise the groundwater to ensure it meets the Australian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines," he said.

The Lord Mayor thanked Education Queensland, Sunnybank State High School and the Sunnybank Rugby Leaque Club for their co-operation, patience and understanding during the construction of this important initiative.