Council prepared for water crisis

By Jim Mynard
RAINWATER tanks will become a way of life around City of Casey facilities.
During the last three years, the council has installed tanks at recreation reserves and used the water to irrigate ovals.
Storm water tanks have also been installed at the council depot and the water used to wash down plant and suppress dust on gravel roads.
The council bought water trucks to enable flexibility of transporting recycled and dam water to top up tanks at reserves.
This eliminates the need to use mains water on ovals.
Casey mayor Colin Butler said that, with the ongoing hot weather, drought and water restrictions, it was critical for everyone, including the council, to adjust water use practices.
“Council is focusing on being water efficient which includes reducing the demand for water, using alternatives to reticulated mains water and reducing water loss.”
He said the council was keen to teach young school children about water. In 2006, as part of the council’s storm water education program, every preschool in Casey, as well as Casey’s Child Care Complex, had a water tank installed.
“The council constructed Casey Fields, its premier sport and recreation facility at Cranbourne East, using leadingedge watersensitive design and sustainability principles,” Mr Butler said.
“Surface water runoff is captured, treated and retained on site through a network of swales and wetlands.
“Class A recycled water is pumped from the South Eastern Treatment Plant at Carrum Downs for irrigation of sports grounds.”
He said new sports pavilions, preschools and children’s services centres were fitted with storm water tanks, usually underground.
“The water is plumbed back into the toilet system.”
The City of Casey has a practice of not irrigating passive parks.
The parks are landscaped and designed to be drought tolerant and come back after summer even if they dry out.
The large new areas allocated for residential subdivision have required a third pipe to carry recycled water from the Carrum Melbourne Water treatment plant.
This will enable new residents to access grey water for landscaping.