Bingara’s Water Treatment Plant came on line on Monday April 4 with treated water now flowing through town. For several weeks Council has been carrying out mains fushing and will repeat this process on Thursday and Friday May 5 and 6.
The Water Treatment Plant project is now 90% completed with only landscaping of the site to be carried out. Site supervisor of the project, Carby Terrisi, told the Advocate “I can’t believe a town like this has been using water like this for so long,” indicating the ‘before’ bottle.
Carby and welder, Bill Templeton, were happy to show ‘before and after’ bottles of water, as well as one showing the dirt removed as it goes through the dissolved air flotation process which leaves the water crystal clear.
The official opening has been set for May 12. Member for Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay has been invited to open the much anticipated works.
For members of the public wishing to have a tour of the plant, there will be an Open Day on Friday May 13.
The total cost of the water supply upgrade, including both the water treatment plant and the reservoir was $4.5million. This was jointly funded by the NSW Office of Water under the Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program and the Gwydir Shire Council.
Council is pleased with the completion of the water treatment plant as water quality has exceeded the standards set by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Early feedback from Bingara residents has also been positive.
Several weeks ago two representatives of the Advocate conducted a taste test and found the colour, or lack of it, very impressive, and the taste, although not as good as the rain water they both grew up drinking, was certainly better than Tamworth water.
Water Treatment Australia is currently carrying out commissioning and training of plant operators.
