New treatment plant boosts Bega water security

In a boost for jobs and water security, the new Bega Water Treatment Plant will be built at Bega Valley Shire Council’s South Bega reservoirs site.

The New South Wales government is funding a purpose-built operations depot and water treatment plant in Bega, providing a much-needed boost for local jobs.

The project will bring vastly improved water quality to the Bega, Kalaru and Tathra network, while also providing job security and greater resilience during emergency situations.

“The new water treatment plant will introduce filtration and UV disinfection to complement existing treatment methods,” Water and Sewerage Services Manager Chris Best said.

According to Best, contractors will be notified shortly of the council’s intent to tender for the construction of the new facility.

“There are some great employment opportunities through the construction and operations of this new facility,” Best said.

“We plan on going out to tender for the operations depot component in the next few weeks, and with our intent to tender notice going out now, interested contractors will have time to organise their schedules.”

A key part of the Bega development is a construction of a purpose-built maintenance, administration and operations depot.

“Maintenance teams are currently based in shared and outdated facilities, making it difficult to service key pumps and equipment vital for keeping us in water when we need it most,” Best explained.

“This new facility will include a purpose-built workshop, allowing for greater resilience to emergency situations and more efficient maintenance of large equipment currently sent away for repairs.”

Best explained that due to the regional location, sending equipment away for repairs results in significant cost and time, especially when there are regional and global emergencies in play which slow things down even further. The aim of the new facility is to enable all repairs to be done on site.

“Council is already a major employer in the Bega Valley and this commitment to retaining maintenance capability secures the employment of local skilled fitters and electricians,” he said.

According to Member for Bega, Andrew Constance, securing the $25 million of NSW Government funding for new water treatment plants in Bega and Brogo, as well as the part funding of the Yellow Pinch water treatment plant currently in early stages of planning, will be a major boost for local jobs and water security.

It also means good news for ensuring the area is covered in regards to safe drinking water.

“With further water treatment plant upgrades and builds progressing well under the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program we are steadily working towards having all reticulated supplies in the shire compliant with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines,” Best said.

It will also ensure that the area can cope during natural disasters.

“The site will also function as a coordination centre to better facilitate the management of essential water infrastructure during fire and flood events.”