BRIMBANK council wants to water 70 per cent of its open spaces and sports fields with alternative water supplies within 10 years.
Unveiling a $3.1 million storm- water harvesting project at Green Gully Reserve in Keilor Downs last Tuesday, chairman John Watson said the council hoped to save water to the equivalent of 50 Olympic-sized pools each year. The system captures stormwater from two nearby drains, which previously ran into the Maribyrnong River, and diverts it to a storage pond in the reserve before it is treated and reused.
The system will provide three-quarters of the irrigation needs of the reserve, which includes five soccer fields and an oval.
“We’re aiming for 70 per cent of our open spaces and sporting fields to be maintained with alternative water supplies by 2022,” Mr Watson said.
“Brimbank council hopes to save 127 million litres of drinking water each year.
“We’re already achieving 50 per cent of that figure now; it’s a massive achievement.”
Council documents reveal 41 million litres of drinking water – or 16 Olympic-sized swimming pools – will be saved every year. The system is part of the $9.4 million Brimbank alternative water supply project, which also maintains Keilor Park Recreation Reserve and Keilor golf course.
City West Water managing director Anne Barker said alternative water systems such as the Green Gully project, which received state and federal funding, were the future of irrigation for public open spaces.
