If council proceeds with one of the options being displayed on their web site, Stanthorpe residents may be asked to contribute a considerable sum. The options shown all have high cost estimates. I have some concerns and questions.
The options of using Emu Swamp Dam and Connolly Dam as sources involve very high pumping heads. Firstly, to design the delivery systems will be costly and complex. I hope Council realises what each will involve. Further, the costs to run them will be high. The power costs, when provided, will probably shock a few people. Again, I hope Council considers this cost in full before making a decision.
The Petries Crossing option also involves significant pumping to reach Mt Marley treatment plant (over 7km).
Each of these options will involve high operating costs. Council’s web site has fact sheets that are very general and have no mention of important points such as total pumping heads and operating costs. I hope these issues are fully considered.
With water supply engineering, two of the fundamentals are sourcing water that it is as close as possible and is as cheap as possible to draw. In view of this I wonder if full consideration has been given to augmenting Stanthorpe’s water from the high side of town?
Other towns in our region have bores that are brought on line in dry times. They can be shallow or deep, single or multiple, depending on alluvium make up. Usually the water quality is good and better tasting than from an open storage. I hope this option has been considered fully.
I hope these types of questions are being asked by our elected members.
Graeme Schreiber
Water Engineer
Stanthorpe
