Council drills for drinking water

Gosford Council is drilling for drinking water in 25 locations across the Peninsula.

The bores are 50mm in diameter and 20 metres deep.

Council asset manager Ms Pam McCann said that council was drilling for drinking water plus any irrigation substitute to replace drinking water currently being used for irrigation.

"Pursuing ground water on the Peninsula is just one of many drought contingency options that we are currently looking at," Ms McCann said.

She said saving drinking water was the council's main objective.

Mrs McCann said that over the past 12 months water storage levels had declined steadily by 11 per cent, despite water restrictions and alternate water supply sources were being investigated.

"There are three of the options under investigation by council.

"These were desalination, the use of existing ground water and further purchases of water from the Hunter Water Corporation," said Ms McCann.

She said that other options would also be put forward for consideration, including the need to further reduce water use across the Central Coast.

Ms McCann said that investigation " had identified potential aquifers" in Woy Woy and several other suburbs.

She said that previous ground water studies and advice from ground water specialists had revealed that the Woy Woy area had a good chance of sustainable yields.

"The bores use the latest technology and generally do not require any use of water (to sink)," she said.

Ms McCann said the initial bores would monitor water quality and ground water modelling would be carried out as part of the investigation.

All work would comply with the various government policies and standards.

"It is anticipated that approximately six larger diameter bores sites will possibly be chosen to form the basis of a drinking water scheme, based on the results of the test bores."

Ms McCann said treatment units would be designed to produce drinking water, which complies with the Australian standards for drinking water.

"Peoples concerns over pollutants in the area, due to it being a built up area, are a valid one, but that is one reason for targeting this deeper aquifer as there will be less impurities," she said.

"There will be treatment units, and the Peninsula will have appropriate and ongoing water treatment."

She said that the test drilling was part of an initial feasibility stage.

She said the project would then proceed to a concept design, detailed costings, ground water modelling, environmental assessments and programs.

Community consultation would take place prior to decisions on whether to proceed to construction.

She said any decision to proceed with a drinking water program would have to include a resolution from the Gosford-Wyong Water Authority.

Ms McCann added that there would be no desalination plant on the Peninsula.

Lyle Stone, September 30