MEDIA RELEASE 1 May 2007

Recycled water keeps grass growing

"Twice as green and like a shagpile carpet" is how one sporting advocate is hoping the grass will be at the Boundary Road Sports Fields following the extension of its recycled water program.

Neville Bush from the Hervey Bay Cricket Association made the comment when the pop-up sprinklers began drenching the oval during a demonstration this week for Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss and Hervey Bay mayor Ted Sorensen.

"When the Fraser Coast Sports Ground Trust found out that the Federal Government had these community water grants available we thought we'd try to get one. With the help of the Hervey Bay City Council and Wide Bay Water Corporation we got just under $41,000 to help irrigate the grounds with recycled water," said Mr Bush.

The water is recycled treated effluent which is also used on a golf course, cane farms, turf farms and tree plantations.

WBWC senior environmental officer Jeanette McAuliffe said the completion of the project was timely.

"Now that we are under Level 3.1 water restrictions the sport fields would not have been allowed to irrigate using the drinking water supply which is being carefully managed until the city's reservoir is replenished," she said. "This is a great example of how recycled water can keep our sporting facilities in good condition. And we use weekly checks and a series of controls to ensure that the use of the water is safe."

Mr Truss commended Hervey Bay's innovative use of recycled water and advocated the continuation of waterwise solutions.

"This grant was made during the first round of community water grants and we're now calling for the third round. They're designed to fund projects that save water and Hervey Bay has been at the forefront of the innovative use of water," he said. "Clearly the country is suffering from drought and anything we can do to save water is to our advantage."

The new pumps and pipeline are set to provide a reliable supply of at least 10 megalitres of recycled water per year to the grounds which are used for the playing of cricket, rugby, soccer and AFL.

Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss and Hervey Bay mayor Ted Sorensen watch as the cricket oval at the Boundary Road Sports Fields is sprayed with recycled water at the launch of a new irrigation system.

For more details phone Denis Heron,
Wide Bay Water Corporation on 1300 808 888.