Fears over recycled water drift

Residents have voiced their concern over the use of proposed recycled sewage to irrigate the Myall Park at Yamba Street, Hawks Nest, believing the spray should be prevented into coming in contact with neighbouring properties and residents.

Margaret-Ann Hainsworth of Yamba Street said that despite being unable to attend on-site meetings, she found it worrying that Mid Coast Water and the local Council were okay to have the spray drift from the recycled water falling onto homes and local sporting facilities.

“Mid Coast Water may say the recycled water produced was of a very high standard. However, we all know that recycled water is of a lower grade and there is every reason that the proposed irrigation system is a public nuisance,” she said.

Mrs Hainsworth requested that the scheme not proceed.

“The turf on Myall Park is in good condition and has been for most previous years and that has been sustained with the existing watering system and natural rain fall,” she said.

Denis Hainsworth noted two key issues to be addressed before proceeding with the irrigation proposal.  He said there it would have to be demonstrated that no spray would drift onto adjoining residences and that the high quality of park grass was maintained.

“Only after installing an appropriately designed irrigation system and having it operate over at least one dry summer season on groundwater, will these objectives be able to be established. Residents who have lived in this street for over 20 years and have experienced the perfectly good groundwater irrigation system are entitled to nothing less,” Mr Hainsworth said.

He cited recent wind speeds which would prohibit the use of the system.

“With groundwater, this is not a problem and the grass is watered every night regardless of wind speed. With recycled water, after most long hot days, the grass will not be watered and hence it will die off. This would be a most unsatisfactory outcome for the community and add additional cost to council in rehabilitating the park,” he said.

Phillip and Stuart Daniel, also of Yamba Street said said they recently registered a breeze at six knots/11km per hour at Shoal Bay, a wind speed they said would directly impact local homes.

Another Yamba Street resident Jeff Wilson asked for clarification of issues which he believed were worrying.

“In particular, but not exclusively, I draw your attention to the health comment that recycled water drift (of the standard the council  proposes) over homes is unacceptable, carried of course by the North Easterly sea breeze, our most common wind,” Mr Wilson said.

“The current dispute, despite recent efforts, remains at best murky and unsatisfactory to residents.”

In a letter addressing the residents’ issues, Group Manager Planning and Development for Mid Coast Water Daniel Brauer said that MidCoast Water has been in consultation with both NSW Department of Primary Industries Water (DPI Water) and NSW EPA in relation to approval for the scheme relating to public nuisance. 

The letter stated that in all instances, throughout the design, installation and intended operation of the scheme Mid Coast Water had  aligned with the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling (2006), meeting or exceeding the treatment and control standards relevant for unrestricted use on public open spaces. 

“Accordingly, both DPI Water and NSW EPA acknowledge that provided the relevant controls are implemented, there is no reason that irrigation of appropriately treated recycled water would give rise to a public nuisance or result in an offence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997,” Mr Brauer said.

Further, the controls encompassed the treatment of recycled water suitable for unrestricted use in accordance with the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling, wind sensors to automatically stop irrigation when wind speeds are above acceptable limits, low-throw, large droplet sprinkler heads limiting the potential for spray drifting to neighbouring residences, scheduling irrigation at times when playing fields are less likely to be occupied by members of the public, ground works to avoid ponding or runoff of recycled water, application of a deficit irrigation system to avoid ponding or runoff of recycled water and signage informing park users of the use of recycled water.

 “MidCoast Water have requested a variation to the current approval  to include  irrigation at Providence Park.  DPI Water are currently assessing this request and if granted the approval  will be updated to current approval conditions used for recycled water schemes throughout NSW,” Mr Brauer said.

 “It is also relevant to note the Tuncurry Recycled Water Scheme has been in operation since 2013 and utilises the same treatment process and controls employed at Hawks Nest. The Tuncurry scheme supplies recycled water to a golf course, high school, cemetery and playing fields located opposite residences.”

Mr Brauer also said that tree planting which had been mooted for Yamba Street would not occur as most residents did not want the view of the park obstructed. 

“The Hawks Nest Recycled Water Scheme currently provides water suitable for unrestricted irrigation of public open spaces in accordance with the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling (2006). The recycled water is produced at a very high standard using latest technology and is subject to a rigorous monitoring regime.

 “Provision exists to increase the level of treatment at Hawks Nest to permit domestic use. However based on recent experience throughout Australia this form of recycling has been demonstrated to come at a high cost and requires greater application of control measures and compliance monitoring. Accordingly, irrigation of public open spaces such as the Hawks Nest golf course, Myall Park and Providence Park is currently the most economical means to achieve the environmental benefits associated with recycling water in this area.”