Moree Plains Shire Council Water Supply Schemes Drought ...

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Moree Plains Shire Council Water Supply SchemesDrought Management Plan

Report number: WSR09017 Last edited: 30 July 2009

Moree Plains Shire Drought Management Plan

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Forward This Drought Management Plan has been prepared by the New South Wales Department of Commerce for the Moree Plains Shire Council. The Department acknowledges the assistance provided by Council staff led by Graham Broughton and Lila Fisher.

The core Department of Commerce project team members involved in the preparation of this document were:

• Sashin Patel

• Matthew Renshaw

• Jennifer Blaike

• Roshan Iyadurai


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Table of Contents Forward....................................................................................................................................... i Executive Summary .......................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. Table of Contents........................................................................................................................ ii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. iv List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. v Abbreviations.............................................................................................................................vii Glossary .................................................................................................................................... ix 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Location.......................................................................................................................1 1.2 Plan Context.................................................................................................................1 1.3 Plan Objective ..............................................................................................................1 1.4 Existing Scheme ...........................................................................................................2

1.4.1 Single Reticulated Potable Scheme ..........................................................................2 1.4.2 Dual Reticulated Scheme........................................................................................4 1.4.3 Single Reticulated Non Potable Scheme ...................................................................5

1.5 Plan Structure...............................................................................................................6 2 Background ......................................................................................................................... 7

2.1 Water Restriction Policy.................................................................................................7 2.2 Climate and Streamflows ...............................................................................................7

2.2.1 Climate .................................................................................................................7 2.2.2 Streamflows ........................................................................................................ 11

2.3 Urban Population and Production ................................................................................. 22 2.3.1 Urban Production................................................................................................. 22 2.3.2 Types of Urban Water Customers.......................................................................... 25 2.3.3 Seasonal Variation of Urban Demands ................................................................... 26 2.3.4 Treated Effluent Reuse......................................................................................... 30

2.4 Drought Performance .................................................................................................. 30 2.4.1 Moree and Pallamallawa....................................................................................... 30 2.4.2 Boggabilla ........................................................................................................... 31 2.4.3 Mungindi............................................................................................................. 31 2.4.4 Boomi, Garah, Gurley and Weemelah .................................................................... 31

3 Drought Management Process............................................................................................. 33 3.1 Moree Drought Management Process............................................................................ 33 3.2 Boggabilla Drought Management Process...................................................................... 37 3.3 Mungindi Drought Management Process........................................................................ 40 3.4 Garah Drought Management Process ............................................................................ 43

4 Drought Management and Emergency Response Strategy Measures ....................................... 47


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4.1 Drought Management Measures ................................................................................... 47 4.1.1 Demand Reduction Opportunities .......................................................................... 47 4.1.2 Local Supply Opportunities ................................................................................... 53

4.2 Emergency Response Measures.................................................................................... 64 4.2.1 Alternate Emergency Local Supply Opportunities .................................................... 64

4.3 Comparison of Measures.............................................................................................. 66 5 Preferred Emergency Strategy............................................................................................. 68 6 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 69 References ............................................................................................................................... 70 Appendix A System Maps* ....................................................................................................A-1 Appendix B Water Restriction policy.......................................................................................B-7 Appendix C Historical Demand Analysis ..................................................................................C-1

C.1 Customer Billing Database and GIS Table Extract..........................................................C-1 C.2 Historical Production Data...........................................................................................C-3 C.3 Peak Day Demand .....................................................................................................C-3 C.4 Average Monthly Production .......................................................................................C-4 C.5 Average Annual Production and Average Daily Production .............................................C-5 C.6 Average Annual Production, Extraction and Rainfall.......................................................C-6

C.6.1 Moree................................................................................................................C-6 C.6.2 Boggabilla, Mungindi and Pallamallawa .................................................................C-8

Appendix D Streamflow data .................................................................................................D-1 D.1 Moree .......................................................................................................................D-2 D.2 Boggabilla .................................................................................................................D-3 D.3 Mungindi ...................................................................................................................D-4 D.4 Pallamallawa .............................................................................................................D-5 D.5 Garah .......................................................................................................................D-6 D.6 Weemelah.................................................................................................................D-7

Appendix E Drounght Management and Emergency Measure load times ...................................E-1 Appendix F Draft DWE Drought Management Plan Guidelines compliance ................................. F-1 Appendix G Drought Relief for Country Towns ........................................................................G-1


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List of Tables Table ES - 1:............................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 2-1: Ranked Annual Lowest Flows at Stream Gauge 418002 .................................................... 12 Table 2-2: Ranked Annual Lowest Flows at Stream Gauge 416002 .................................................... 14 Table 2-3: Ranked Annual Lowest Flows at Stream Gauge 418001 .................................................... 16 Table 2-4: Ranked Annual Lowest Flows at Stream Gauge 416001 .................................................... 18 Table 2-5: Estimated Monthly Flows in Gil Gil Ck ................................................................................. 21 Table 2-6: Water Demands According to Customer Type* ................................................................... 25 Table 2-7: Seasonal Harvest Employment* .......................................................................................... 26 Table 2-7: Estimated No. of Failures and Total Duration of Failure of RWT........................................ 32 Table 3-1: Drought Management Process and Emergency Response Measures Together for MTWS34 Table 3-2: Required MPSC Actions for MTWS ..................................................................................... 35 Table 3-3: Drought Management Process and Emergency Response Measures Together for BWS.. 37 Table 3-4: Required MPSC Actions for BWS........................................................................................ 38 Table 3-5: Drought Management Process and Emergency Response Measures Together for MWS . 40 Table 3-6: Required MPSC Actions for MWS ....................................................................................... 41 Table 3-7: Drought Management Process and Emergency Response Measures Together for GWSS44 Table 3-8: Required MPSC Actions for GWSS ..................................................................................... 45 Table 4-1 Demand Management Stand-Alone Measure Evaluation * .................................................. 51 Table 4-2 Groundwater quality – LGGS*............................................................................................... 55 Table 4-3 Estimated Dry Year Demand Base on RWT Size................................................................. 58 Table 4-4 Water Carting Information ..................................................................................................... 60 Table 4-5 Water Carting from Goondiwindi ........................................................................................... 60 Table 4-6 Emergency Measure Comparison......................................................................................... 66 Table 4-7 Emergency Measure Social, Environmental and Risk Factors............................................. 67

Appendix B table 1: Water Restriction Policy .......................................................................................B-1 Appendix C table 1: Extract from Moree Plains Shire Council Customer Billing Database ................ C-1 Appendix C table 2: Extract from Moree Plains Shire Council Geographic Information System

Cadastre ...................................................................................................................................... C-2 Appendix C table 3: Annual Extraction (ML) ....................................................................................... C-3 Appendix C table 4: Peak day demand............................................................................................... C-3 Appendix C table 5: Average Monthly Production............................................................................... C-4 Appendix C table 6: Average Annual Production and Average Daily Production ............................... C-5 Appendix E table E-1: Moree Plains Shire Council Summarised Drought Management Programs....E-2 Appendix F table F-1: Draft DWE Drought Management Plan Guidelines compliance .......................F-2


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List of Figures Figure ES - 1: ..........................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 1-1: Location of MPSC ................................................................................................................. 1 Figure 1-2: MPSC Drought Management Plan Structure........................................................................ 6 Figure 2-1: Historical Annual Rainfall at Moree....................................................................................... 7 Figure 2-2: Average Monthly Distribution of Rainfall, Evaporation and Min and Max Temperature ....... 8 Figure 2-3: Historical Annual Rainfall at Boggabilla Post Office (53004)................................................ 9 Figure 2-4: Historical Annual Rainfall at Mungindi Post Office (52020) ................................................ 10 Figure 2-5: Historical Annual Rainfall at Pallamallawa Post Office (52020) ......................................... 11 Figure 2-6: Annual Streamflows at Moree (Stream Gauge - 418002)................................................... 12 Figure 2-7: Average and Drought Monthly Flows at Stream Gauge 418002 ........................................ 13 Figure 2-8: Annual Streamflows at Boggabilla (Stream Gauge - 416002)............................................ 14 Figure 2-9: Average and Drought Monthly Flows at Stream Gauge 416002 ........................................ 15 Figure 2-10: Annual Streamflows at Pallamallawa (Stream Gauge - 418001) ..................................... 16 Figure 2-11: Average and Drought Monthly Flows at Stream Gauge 418001 ...................................... 17 Figure 2-12: Annual Streamflows at Mungindi (Stream Gauge - 416001) ............................................ 18 Figure 2-13: Average and Drought Monthly Flows at Stream Gauge 416001 ...................................... 19 Figure 2-14: Annual Streamflows at Weemelah (Stream Gauge - 416027) ......................................... 20 Figure 2-15: Average and Drought Monthly Flows at Stream Gauge 416027 ...................................... 20 Figure 2-16: Estimated Historical Annual Flows in Gil Gil Ck ............................................................... 21 Figure 2-17: Estimated Historical Monthly Flow in Gil Gil Ck................................................................ 22 Figure 2-18: Historic Production at MTWS............................................................................................ 23 Figure 2-19: Historic Peak Day Demand in Month at MTWS................................................................ 23 Figure 2-20: Historic Production – Boggabilla, Mungindi and Pallamallawa......................................... 24 Figure 2-21: Historic Peak Day Demand in Month at BWS, MWS and PWS ....................................... 24 Figure 2-22: Historic Production – BWSS, GWSS, GWS and WWSS.................................................. 25 Figure 2-23: Water Consumption by Percentage According to Customer Type*.................................. 26 Figure 2-24: Average Monthly and Dry Year Production at MTWS ...................................................... 27 Figure 2-25: Average Monthly and Dry Year Production at PWS and MWS ........................................ 27 Figure 2-26: Average Monthly and Dry Year Production at BWS ......................................................... 28 Figure 2-27: Average Monthly and Dry Year Production at GWSS and WWSS................................... 29 Figure 2-28: Average Monthly and Dry Year Production at GWS and BWSS...................................... 29 Figure 3-1: Drought Management Process for MTWS.......................................................................... 36 Figure 3-2: Drought Management Process for BWS............................................................................. 39 Figure 3-3: Drought Management Process for MWS............................................................................ 42 Figure 3-4: Drought Management Process for GWSS.......................................................................... 46 Figure 4-1: Typical Residential Water Uses for Moree in 2007 and in 2037......................................... 48 Figure 4-2: Lower Gwydir Groundwater Source.................................................................................... 54


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Figure 4-3: Steps required to Secure Government Subsidy ................................................................. 61 Figure 4-4: GAB Groundwater Source in Australia ............................................................................... 62 Figure 4-5: Border River Alluvium Groundwater Source in NSW.......................................................... 63 Appendix A figure 1: Moree Town Water Supply System ....................................................................A-2 Appendix A figure 2: Boggabilla Water Supply Scheme ......................................................................A-3 Appendix A figure 3: Boomi Water Supply System ..............................................................................A-4 Appendix A figure 4: Garah Water Supply Scheme .............................................................................A-4 Appendix A figure 5: Gurley Water Supply System..............................................................................A-5 Appendix A figure 6: Mungindi Water Supply System..........................................................................A-5 Appendix A figure 7: Pallamallawa Water Supply Scheme..................................................................A-6 Appendix A figure 8: Weemelah Water Supply Scheme......................................................................A-6 Appendix C figure 1: Average Annual Production, Extraction and rainfall detail for MTWS............... C-6 Appendix C figure 2: Average Monthly Production and Maximum Production Year with Average

Monthly Rainfall and Monthly Rainfall in Maximum Production Year.......................................... C-7 Appendix C figure 3: Average Annual Production, Extraction and rainfall detail for BWS, MWS, PWS

..................................................................................................................................................... C-8 Appendix D figure 1: Minimum Stream Flow @ 418002 and Daily Production at Moree ................... D-2 Appendix D figure 2: Minimum Stream Flow @ 461002 and Daily Raw Production at Boggabilla..... D-3 Appendix D figure 3: Minimum Stream Flow @ 461001 and Daily Raw Production at Mungindi....... D-4 Appendix D figure 4: Minimum Stream Flow @ 418001 and Daily Raw Production at Pallamallawa D-5 Appendix D figure 5: Estimated Daily stream Flow of Gil Gil Ck at Garah.......................................... D-6 Appendix D figure 6: Daily Stream flow of Gil Gil Ck at Weemelah .................................................... D-7


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Abbreviations Term Definition

0 C Degrees Celsius

ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics

ADWG 2004 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004

AHD Australian Height Datum

BASIX Building Sustainability Index Planning Tool

BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand

BWS Boggabilla Potable Water Supply

Commerce The NSW Department of Commerce

DCP Development Control Plan

DEUS The former New South Wales Department of Energy Utilities and Sustainability

DIPNR The former New South Wales Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources

DMP Drought Management Plan

DLWC The former New South Wales Department of Land and Water Conservation

DNR The former New South Wales Department of Natural Resources

DPWS The former New South Wales Department of Public Works and Services

DO Dissolved Oxygen

DSS Decision Support System

DTM Demand Tracking Model

DWE The New South Wales Department of Water and Energy

ERS Emergency Response Strategy

EP Equivalent Persons (or equivalent population)

ET Equivalent Tenement

GIS Geographical Information System

GL Gigalitre (1,000,000,000 litres or 1,000 megalitres or 1,000,000 kilolitres)

GPT Gross Pollutant Trap

GVIA Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association

HGL Hydraulic Grade Level

HHS Household Size

ILI Infrastructure Leakage Index

IPART Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal

IWA International Water Association

IWCM Integrated Water Cycle Management

kL kilolitre (1.000 litres)

km kilometre (1,000 metres)

L litre

LEP Local Environmental Plan

LGA Local Government Area

LGGS Lower Gwydir Groundwater System

LWU Local Water Utility

m metre

mm 1/1000 of a metre

MEU The former New South Wales Ministry of Energy and Utilities

ML Megalitre (1,000,000 litres or 1,000 kilolitres)

MPSC Moree Plains Shire Council


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MPSC Moree Plains Shire Council

MTWS Moree Town Water Supply Scheme

MWS Mungindi Water Supply

NRCMA Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority

NRW Non-Revenue Water

NSW New South Wales

NWI Australian Government’s National Water Initiative

LTW Liquid Trade Waste

PIA Planning Institute of Australia

PDD Peak Day Demand

PDWF Peak Dry Weather Flow

PID Peak Instantaneous Demand

POEOA Protection of Environmental Operations Act

PWS Pallamallawa Water Supply

PWWF Peak Wet Weather Flow

QLD Queensland

R2 Fit – proportion of the variation in the model that is explained by the regression model

RL Reduced Level

s second

SBP Strategic Business Plan

SDF Sewage Discharge Factor

SEPP State Environmental Planning Policy

SMI Soil Moisture Index

SOE State of Environmental

TSS Total Suspended Solids

UFW Unaccounted-for-water

WELS Water Efficient Labelling Scheme

WMA 2000 Water Management Act 2000

WSAA Water Service Association of Australia

WSUD Water Sensitive Urban Design


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Glossary Term Definition

Annual Demand The total water demand over a year. Used to size headworks components.

Australian Height Datum

Australian Height Datum (AHD) was devised in 1971 with the mean sea level for 1966-1968 assigned the value of zero on the Australian Height Datum at thirty tide gauges around the coast of the Australian continent. The National Mapping Council adopted the datum to which all vertical control for mapping is to be referred. Elevations quoted using this datum are normally followed with the acronym (AHD).

BASIX BASIX standards for the Building Sustainability Index. This index has a water and energy efficiency component and is used to assess the sustainability of new dwellings and alterations/additions and ensure compliance with the “Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Building Sustainability Index: BASIX) Regulation 2004” and “State Environmental Planning Policy (Building Sustainability Index: BASIX) 2004. These legislative requirements were enacted with the aim of ensuring that new and modified dwellings are designed to enable residents to use less potable water and produce less greenhouse gases. More information is available at: http://www.basix.nsw.gov.au

Best Practice Management

Best Practice Management in a water supply context is the practice of effective and efficient delivery of water supply and sewerage services and the promotion of sustainable water conservation practices and water demand management throughout LWUs. Since 1995, the NSW Government has been required to demonstrate compliance with the National Water Initiative (NWI) and National Competition Policy (NCP) in order to progressively encourage best practice management by LWUs.

Cadastre The cadastre is a physical record or rights in and responsibilities for land. In common usage the term cadastre refers to the digital cadastral databases, managed by each state and territory, which record the size and shape of land parcels and which can be linked to land ownership information.

Collection District The census Collection District (CD) is the smallest geographic area defined in the Australian Standard Geographical Classification. It has been designed for use in the Census of Population and Housing as the smallest unit for collection, processing and output of data. CDs also serve as a basic building block in the Australian Standard Geographical Classification and are used for the aggregation of statistics to larger census geographic areas. A CD is represented by a unique seven-digit code. For the 2001 Census there is an average of about 225 dwellings in each CD. In rural areas the number of dwellings per CD declines as population densities decrease. CDs are defined for each census and are current only at census time. For the 2001 Census, there was about 37,000 CDs covering all of Australia and its Territories.

Dwelling In general terms, a dwelling is a structure which is intended to have people live in it, and which is habitable on Census Night. Some examples of dwellings are houses, motels, flats, caravans, prisons, tents, humpies and houseboats.

Estimated residential population

Estimated residential population figures, which include post census adjustment by ABS are based on the usual residence census counts, for which an allowance for net census undercount and the number of residents temporarily overseas at the census date is applied. Adjustments are also made to take into account births, deaths and net migration.

Geographic A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a combination of software, hardware, data


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Information System and people, which allows the display, manipulation, analysis, and output of spatial (map) data.

Infrastructure Leakage Index

Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) is a measure of the overall effectiveness of infrastructure management of real losses at current average pressures. An ILI of 1.3 means that Real Losses volume is 1.3 times the lowest technically achievable real losses at current average pressures. An ILI close to 1.0 represents world-best performance in managing Real Losses. It is most desirable where water is in short supply, or expensive, or both. Typically UFW and NRW are expressed as a percentage. This does not necessarily report a true understanding of a systems performance. For example, a system may have a very high level of consumption and there may be a very large volume of water loss, but the water loss may only be a small proportion of total water production and therefore is expressed as a low % UFW or % NRW, implying that the system has a low level of water loss. The ILI is expressed as an index and is more representative of a system’s performance.

Integrated Water Cycle Management

Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) is a way for local water utilities (often run by local Councils) to manage their water systems to maximise benefits to the community and environment. It involves the integration of water supply, sewerage and stormwater, so that water is used optimally within a catchment resource, state and national policy context. It involves a series of defined steps to effectively integrate water supply, sewerage and stormwater to achieve sustainability.

National Competition Policy

The National Competition Policy (NCP) was signed by all governments in April 2005 to promote enhanced competition in Australia. The NCP is underpinned by thre intergovernmental agreements: the Competition Principles Agreement; the Conduct Code Agreement; and the Agreement to Implement the National Competition Policy and Related Reforms (Implementation Agreement). Related reforms in the electricity, gas, water and road transport industries also form part of the package.

National Water Initiative

The National Water Initiative (NWI) was signed by all governments at the 25th June 2004 COAG meeting (with the exception of Tasmania – 3rd June 2005 and Western Australia – 6th April 2006) represents the Australian Government’s and state and territory governments’ shared commitment to water reform in recognition of:

- The continuing national imperative to increase the productivity and efficiency of Australia’s water use;

- the need to service rural and urban communities; and - ensuring the health of river and groundwater systems, including by

establishing clear pathways to return all systems to environmentally sustainable levels of extraction.

Non Revenue Water (IWA, 2000)

Non Revenue Water (NRW) is that proportion of water supplied by a Water Utility to a water supply system, for which no revenue may be collected from its intended consumers. It has the following components –

1) Unbilled Authorized Consumption (that is unbilled metered consumption or unbilled non-metered consumption including such practices such as fire services, mains flushing, mains testing or the supply of free water at stand pipes);

2) Apparent Losses (unauthorized consumption [including sole illegal connections, illegal connections to properties that also have legal connections or illegal connections for the purpose of selling water] and metering inaccuracies [malfunctioning water meters, estimated water consumption (when meters are not working), or misreading meters]); and

3) Real Losses (Leakage from transmission and distribution mains, leakage and overflows from utility storages and balance tanks, leakage in reticulation systems especially from service connections up to the point of Customer


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Metering). Experience has shown that most leakage results from service connections, and t a large extent this is due to poor construction.

Peak Day Demand The maximum demand in any one day of the year (or month). Used to size water treatment works, service reservoirs trunk mains and pumping stations in the distribution system

Statistical Local Area The Statistical Local Area (SLA) is an Australian Standard Geographical Classification defined area. In census years SLAs consist of one of more Collection Districts (CDs). SLAs are Local Government Areas (LGAs), or parts thereof. Where there is no incorporated body of local government, SLAs are defined to cover the unincorporated areas. SLAs cover, in aggregate, the whole of Australia without gaps or overlaps.

Unaccounted-for-water

Unaccounted-for-water (UFW) is that proportion of water supplied by a Water Utility to a water supply system, which is lost between production and consumption It has the following components –

• Apparent Losses (unauthorized consumption [including sole illegal connections, illegal connections to properties that also have legal connections or illegal connections for the purpose of selling water] and metering inaccuracies [malfunctioning water meters, estimated water consumption (when meters are not working), or misreading meters]); and

4) Real Losses (Leakage from transmission and distribution mains, leakage and overflows from utility storages and balance tanks, leakage in reticulation systems especially from service connections up to the point of Customer Metering).

It does not include legal usage that is not paid for. It is typically expressed as a percentage.


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1 Introduction

1.1 Location Moree Plains Shire is located on the north-western plains of NSW, and is lies within the Border Rivers and Gwydir River Catchments. The villages of Ashley, Biniguy, Boggabilla, Boomi, Garah, Gurley, Mungindi, Pallamallawa, and Weemelah are the urban centres within the Shire. The township of Moree is main business centre of the shire. The shire had a recorded population of approximately 16,233 in 2001, with the majority of people residing in the township of Moree (Ref.1). Figure 1-1 contains a diagram of MPSC showing the location of urban centres.

Figure 1-1: Location of MPSC

1.2 Plan Context This drought management plan (DMP) has been prepared for the management of future drought events based on existing arrangements. Although this plan outlines the drought management process, it is important that it be reviewed, on a 5 year cycle, to capture the change in the operating environment and at the beginning of a drought as the impact of every drought is likely to be different.

1.3 Plan Objective The primary objective of any drought management activity of a local water utility is to provide its customers with access to water to meet the basic requirements of maintaining community health and hygiene during drought. This plan provides the individual drought management strategies and emergency response measures for all reticulated schemes in MPSC. Thus, the specific objectives of this plan are to

Outline the recent drought performance for future reference; Develop the drought management process and the activities there in; and Develop the drought Emergency Response Strategy (ERS) together with the associated

alert, resource and compliance requirements.


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1.4 Existing Scheme MPSC owns and operates eight water supply systems which can be grouped into 3 categories:

Single Reticulated Potable; Dual Reticulated; and Single Reticulated Non-Potable

1.4.1 Single Reticulated Potable Scheme There are three single reticulated potable schemes in MPSC. The schemes are:

Moree Town Water Supply System, Mungindi Water Supply System and Pallamallawa Water Supply System.

Moree Town Water Supply System (MTWS) The MTWS has groundwater sources, including a borefield to the north of Moree and two additional bores. The borefield in the north of Moree consists of 7 operational bores with a total combined yield of 13.0 ML/d, which is pumped directly into Broadwater Reservoir. The borefield in the south of Moree consists of a bore with 1.5 ML/d capacity and Bore 13 at Greenbah, with 2.9ML/d capacity. Total available supply capacity for the town is therefore 17.4 ML/d. The bore water is disinfected with chlorine gas (Cl2), fluoridated with sodium fluoride and pH corrected with caustic soda (NaOH). A schematic diagram of the MTWS is attached in Appendix A figure 1. Council parks and ovals are watered using about 6 on-site bores. The production details can be seen in Appendix C.

Capacity of System Aquifer

Moree is located on the Lower Gwydir Groundwater Source (LGGS). The long-term average extraction limit for LGGS is initially estimated at 32,300 ML/year, while the total access permitted under supplementary water access licenses equals a total of 70,109 ML/year (Ref.13). Moree is licensed to extract 3,506 ML/year from LGGS.

Bores

The total installed pumping capacity at the northern borefield is 170 L/s with individual pump capacities ranging from 1.3 L/s to 51.8 L/s as follows:

Bore Field Bore No. Flow (L/s)

1 27.7

2 21.5

3 1.3

6 Out of Service

9 51.8

11 32.8

32 7.6

Northern

34 22.7

Total Northern Borefield 164.1

10 18.9 Southern

13 36.6


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Total Bores 219.7

During normal weather conditions, the borefield is capable of pumping a peak daily demand in excess of 20.4 ML per day.

System Details The total length of reticulation pipe is 195 km. The MTWS consists of five standpipe reservoirs each with a TWL of 238.7m and a depth of around 30 metres. The combined storage capacity of Moree is 21.2 ML. Details of individual reservoirs are as follows:

Reservoir Name Capacity

Broadwater Reservoir 6.8 ML

Boundary St Reservoir 3.3 ML

Jellicoe Reservoir 1.0 ML

Adelaide St Reservoir 7.0 ML

Boston St Reservoir 3.0 ML

Total Reservoir Storage 21.1 ML

Mungindi Water Supply System (MWS) Mungindi is served by a potable water system that sources its raw water from the Barwon River. The water is filtered, disinfected and fluoridated. A schematic diagram of the MWS is attached in Appendix A and the production details can be seen in Appendix C.

Capacity of System During normal weather conditions, the borefield is capable of pumping a peak daily demand in excess of 1.9 ML per day (Ref.14). MPSC has reported that the Town water supply for Mungindi is entitled for 200 ML water per year (Ref. 13). The Draft Water Sharing Plan NSW Border Rivers Regulated River Water Source has reported 380 ML for Mungindi LWU entitlement.

Pump Detail Flow (L/s)

Macintyre River Intake Pump Unknown

Raw Water Transfer Main

Unknown

System Details Mungindi Water Supply System consists of two service reservoirs. The combined storage capacity of reservoir is 1.5 ML. The length of reticulation is 9.6 km.

Reservoir Detail Capacity

Mungindi WTP Reservoir 1.1 ML

South West Reservoir 0.4 ML

Pallamallawa Water Supply System (PWS) Pallamallawa is served by a reticulated water supply obtained from two bores drawing water from the Lower Gwydir Groundwater Source (LGGS). The water is aerated to remove dissolved gases, disinfected with Cl2 and fluoridated with sodium fluoride. A schematic diagram of the PWS is attached in Appendix A and the production details can be seen in Appendix C. It is noted that PWS has been


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over extracted, with more than the entitlement (73 ML per year) being withdrawn in the 2002, 2003 and 2005 water years.

Capacity of System Aquifer

Moree and Pallamallawa both draw from same groundwater source. PWS is entitled to extract 73 ML from LGGS per year. It is noted that a 2m drop in the groundwater table has been reported during the drought event (Ref. 13). The water quality was reported to be poor in 2003 and 2004. Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) Hydrogeologists indicated that this could have been caused by the reduced recharged water entering in the aquifer or it may have just been a natural band of poor quality water (Ref. 13).

Bores

The total installed pumping capacity at Pallamallawa is 20 L/s

Bore Detail Flow (L/s)

Pallamallawa Old Bore Unknown

Pallamallawa New Bore Unknown

Total 20

System Details Pallamallawa Water Supply System consists of two service reservoirs. The combined storage capacity of reservoir is 1.2 ML. The type of reticulation is 100 to 200 mm uPVC.


Pallamallawa WTP Reservoir 0.8 ML

Pallamallawa Reticulation Reservoir 0.4 ML

It is noted that MPSC has adopted the Single Reticulation Scheme option for Biniguy with water sourced from PWS. For this option, Biniguy has to access treated water from the PWS, a 14ML/year would need to be added to the existing extraction license (73 ML/year) and the PWS water treatment infrastructure would need to be augmented to 10.5 L/s (Ref. 4).

1.4.2 Dual Reticulated Scheme Boggabilla is the only scheme within MPSC which has a dual Reticulation.

Boggabilla Water Supply Scheme (BWS) Boggabilla derives its raw water from the nearby Macintyre River and delivers water to customers through a dual reticulation network. Non-potable water is treated with soda ash and chlorine and is dedicated to fire fighting and garden watering. The potable supply is filtered, disinfected and fluoridated.

Capacity of System The peak day demand has been estimated at 0.9 ML/d (Ref.14). Boggabilla Water Supply Scheme’s licence with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) is for an annual extraction of 300 ML(Ref13). It is found that the Draft Water Sharing Plan NSW Border Rivers Regulated River Water Source has reported 120 ML for Boggabilla LWU entitlement.

Pump Detail Flow (L/s)

Macintyre River Intake Pump Unknown


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Raw Water Transfer Main

Unknown

System Details Boggabilla Water Supply System consists of two service reservoirs (potable and non potable). The length of reticulation is 30 km.


Potable Reservoir 0.4 ML

Non-Potable Reservoir 0.8 ML

1.4.3 Single Reticulated Non Potable Scheme There are four single reticulation non potable schemes in MPSC. Details of the schemes are as follows:

Boomi Water Supply System, Garah Water Supply System, Gurley Water Supply System and Weemelah Water Supply System.

Boomi Water Supply System (BWSS) Boomi is served by a reticulated non-potable supply derived from a privately owned thermal artesian bore. The village water is pumped from the surface to two elevated service tanks totaling 90kL volume. Village reticulation is 100 mm uPVC capable of fire fighting flows (200kPa) and garden watering. Potable water is derived from private rainwater tanks, which are known to fail during extended dry periods.

Garah Water Supply System (GWSS) Garah has a reticulated non-potable water supply, with rainwater tanks being used for drinking and potable purposes. Currently, raw water is extracted from nearby Gil Gil Creek during periods of wet weather before being stored in a 50ML sedimentation pond. Here alum is added to the raw water, and the subsequent clarified water is decanted to a 50ML storage lagoon. This water is then chlorinated and pumped to a 20m elevated 100kL storage reservoir, which serves residents in Garah and Old Garah through a 100/63mm gravity reticulation main.

During the summer of 2002/03, the majority of NSW experienced extreme dry weather conditions, with Garah being no exception. An emergency sub-artesian bore was constructed in 2002 to supplement the surface water source during this period. This groundwater receives chlorination as its only treatment before being delivered to the service reservoir.

Gurley Water Supply System (GWS) Gurley is served with a non-potable supply derived from a privately owned bore. The village water is pumped to two elevated service tanks totaling 60kL in volume. Village reticulation is 100mm uPVC capable of fire fighting flows (200kPa) and garden watering. Potable water is derived from private rainwater tanks, which is known to fail during extended dry periods. It is noted that the Boomi, Garah, Gurley are entitled to extract 945 ML GAB water (Ref.13).


Page 6


Weemelah Water Supply System (WWSS) Weemelah is served by a reticulated non-potable supply drawn from Gil Gil Ck during times of high flow and stored in a raw water storage pond. There is no treatment of the raw water apart from increased settling time in the pond. The non-potable water is pumped to a 15 m elevated reservoir and boosted to 300kPa for town reticulation. Reticulation through 100mm uPVC is sufficient to provide peak instantaneous demand and fire fighting flows. Potable water is sourced through private rainwater tanks, and it is known that these tanks fail during extended dry periods. It has been reported that the Garah and Weemelah are entitled to extract 117ML Gil Gil Ck water per year (Ref.13).

1.5 Plan Structure Figure 1-2 outlines the structure of this drought management plan. Appendix F outlines how this plan complies with the DEUS Best Practice Management Guidelines for Drought Management (Ref. 9).

Figure 1-2: MPSC Drought Management Plan Structure

Introduction Plan Context and Objectives

Background Existing Scheme, Climate and Streamflow

Drought Management Process

Possible Emergency Measures Demand Reduction Measures

Alternate Local Supply Measures

Alternate External Supply Measures

Conclusion

Possible Emergency Measures


Page 7


2 Background

2.1 Water Restriction Policy According to the existing Drought Management Plan, there is a five stage restriction regime on water consumers. The existing policy adopted since the November 2005 has represented a hybrid of the work undertaken at draft stages of this DMP and the NSW North Coast model for consistent water restrictions across the north coast region. Appendix B contains the restriction policy that was prepared in house by Commerce with a six stage restriction regime.

2.2 Climate and Streamflows

2.2.1 Climate The consideration of climate is important in the determination of trends in water usage and wastewater production. The Border Rivers and Gwydir catchments have a diverse climate, and this is reflected in the wide variety of land types and uses within the catchment. The catchment has a temperate to sub-tropical climate, with a considerable graduation from east (cooler and wetter) to west (hotter and dryer). Moree experiences a semi-arid climate with long warm to hot summers, moderate and variable rainfall and a temperate dry winter of cool clear days and cold frosty nights, with often a rapid transition of perhaps a month from summer to winter. Average annual climate data at Moree, Boggabilla, Mungindi and Pallamallawa are provided below.

Moree Annual rainfall records are available from the Moree Aero (35115) since 1968 to 1998 and Moree Comparison (53048) since 1995 to 2006. The recorded annual rainfall at these two stations ranges from 348mm (1980) to 802mm (2005) with an average annual rainfall on 597mm. Figure 2-1 below shows the long-term record of annual rainfall at these two stations.

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Figure 2-1: Historical Annual Rainfall at Moree


Page 8


Figure 2-2 shows the average monthly variation of rainfall at Moree Post Office (53027) calculated from the available data. Figure 2-2 shows that the majority of rainfall recorded at this station was in the summer months, while the early winter months is the driest period. The maximum average monthly rainfall is 34.8 mm in January while the minimum average monthly rainfall is 18.5 mm in July. Evaporation rate is recorded quite high at this station with compare to rainfall. In summer months, evaporation rate is almost five times than the monthly rainfall in summer. The maximum average monthly evaporation is 302 mm in December and minimum is 71 mm in June.

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Figure 2-2: Average Monthly Distribution of Rainfall, Evaporation and Min and Max Temperature


Page 9


Boggabilla Annual rainfall records are available from the Boggabilla Post Office (53004) from 1893 to 2006. The recorded annual rainfall at this station ranges from 252 mm (1902) to 964 mm (1962) with an average annual rainfall of 592 mm. Figure 2-3 below shows the long-term record of annual rainfall at this station. Note that the missing year data has not been reported.

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Boggabilla LT Average (Water Year)

Figure 2-3: Historical Annual Rainfall at Boggabilla Post Office (53004)


Page 10


Mungindi Annual rainfall records are available from the Mungindi Post Office (52020) from 1888 to 2006. The recorded annual rainfall at this station ranges from 165 mm (1902) to 972 mm (1974) with an average annual rainfall on 491 mm. Figure 2-4 shows the long-term record of annual rainfall at this station.

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Figure 2-4: Historical Annual Rainfall at Mungindi Post Office (52020)


Page 11


Pallamallawa Annual rainfall records are available from the Pallamallawa Post Office (53033) from 1922 to 2004. The recorded annual rainfall at those stations ranges from 304 mm (1942) to 977 mm (1956) with an average annual rainfall on 491 mm. Figure 2-5: below shows the long-term record of annual rainfall at those stations.

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Figure 2-5: Historical Annual Rainfall at Pallamallawa Post Office (52020)

2.2.2 Streamflows

Moree DNR stream gauge 418002 is located upstream of the Moree township. Stream flow data is available from 1977. The recorded annual streamflows at this station range from 56,908 ML (1994) to 481,110 ML (1998) with an average annual streamflow of 232,937 ML. Figure 2-6 below shows the long term record of annual streamflows at this station. Flow recorded at this gauge represents the surface flow from Mehi River. Note that data from 1978, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989 and 2003 is missing from the Figure 2-6 due to the incomplete data set. Figure 2-6 shows great variability is experienced at this gauge station. The stream flows gradually increased from 1995 to 2002 and following that have gradually decreased. Table 2-1 shows the lowest 10 annual gauge readings in the last 15 years of record.


Page 12


0

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trea

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low

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Water Year Total Water Year LT Mean Moving Average Water (10-year)

Figure 2-6: Annual Streamflows at Moree (Stream Gauge - 418002)

Table 2-1: Ranked Annual Lowest Flows at Stream Gauge 418002

Rank Year Annual Flow (GL)

1 1994 56.9 2 1995 65.4 3 2006 99.9 4 2007 111.1 5 2005 139.5 6 1993 170.1 7 1996 170.7 8 2004 186.9 9 1997 232.2 10 1999 253.2


Page 13


0

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July August September October November December January February March April May June

Month

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mon

th

2007 Average Monthly Flow (ML) 1994

Figure 2-7: Average and Drought Monthly Flows at Stream Gauge 418002

It can be seen in Figure 2-7 that the highest average monthly flows occur during summer and spring corresponding to high urban water demand periods while the lowest average monthly flows are during late autumn and early winter. The highest average monthly flow is 54,816 ML in January while the lowest monthly average is 7,691 ML in April. The available data also shows that the high seasonal average monthly streamflows variation is also accompanied by high between-year monthly streamflows variation. Figure 2-7 also compares the average monthly flows with the flows recorded in the droughts of 1994 and 2007.

Boggabilla Macintyre River flow data is obtained from the DNR stream gauge 416002, which is located upstream of The Boggabilla. The stream flow data is available from 1982. Figure 2-8 shows the long term record of annual streamflows at this station. The recorded annual streamflows at this gauge station range from 150,714 (1995) to 2,709,673 ML (1984) with an average annual streamflow of 863,508 ML. Note that data from 1982, 1983 and 1992 is missing from Figure 2-8 due to the incomplete data set. Figure 2-8 shows that the 10 years moving average follows closely with the average annual streamflow. Figure 2-8 also shows that the last five years of streamflows were well below the average annual streamflows. Table 2-2 shows the lowest 10 annual gauge readings in the last 15 years of record.


Page 14


0

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1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Year

Ann

ual S

trea

m F

low

(ML/

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)


Figure 2-8: Annual Streamflows at Boggabilla (Stream Gauge - 416002)



1 1995 151 2 2007 183 3 1994 186 4 2005 190 5 1993 254 6 2003 274 7 2006 286 8 1998 377 9 2004 422 10 2002 507


Page 15


0

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1995 LT Mean 2007


From Figure 2-9, it clearly shows that there is not much variation in flows through out a year except during summer months. The highest average monthly flows occur during summer while the lowest average monthly flows are during early winter. The highest average monthly flow is 124,059 ML in January while the lowest monthly average is 36,182 ML in June. Figure 2-9 shows the comparison of the average monthly flows with the flows recorded in 1995 and 2007.

Pallamallawa DNR Stream gauge 418001 is located downstream of Pallamallawa. The stream flow data are available from 1972. The recorded annual streamflows at this station range from 149,612 (1995) to 1915,110 (1976) with an average annual streamflow of 691,691ML. Figure 2-10 shows the long term record of annual streamflows at this station. The 10 year moving average gradually decreased until 1995. Table 2-3 shows the lowest 10 annual gauge readings in the last 15 years of record.


Page 16


0

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Water Year 10 Years Moving Average Mean Annual Water Year

Figure 2-10: Annual Streamflows at Pallamallawa (Stream Gauge - 418001)



1 1995 150 2 1994 175 3 1993 215 4 2007 244 5 2005 375 6 2006 390 7 2004 396 8 1996 611 9 2003 621 10 2000 644


Page 17


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It can be seen in Figure 2-11 that the highest average monthly flows occur during summer months while the lowest average monthly flows are during mid autumn months. The highest average monthly flow is 129,345 ML in January while the lowest monthly average is 21,581 ML in April. Figure 2-11 also compares the average monthly flow with the flows recorded in the drought of 1995 and last year 2007.

Mungindi The Barwon River flow data is obtained from the DNR stream gauge 416001, which is located downstream of Mungindi. The stream flow data is available from 1973. Figure 2-12 shows the long term record of annual streamflows at this station. The recorded annual streamflows at this gauge station range from 21,233 ML (1995) to 2,959,123 ML (1976) with an average annual streamflow of 578,401 ML. Figure 2-12 shows that the 10 year moving average has been gradually dropping since 1993. Table 2-4 shows the lowest 10 annual gauge readings in the last 15 years of records.


Page 18


0

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Figure 2-12: Annual Streamflows at Mungindi (Stream Gauge - 416001)



1 1995 21 2 2007 28 3 1998 50 4 1993 50 5 1994 52 6 2002 67 7 2003 69 8 2006 107 9 2005 120 10 2000 195


Page 19


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1995 LT Mean 2007


Figure 2-13 shows that the highest average monthly flows occur during late summer while the lowest average monthly flows are during early spring. The highest average monthly flow is 106,341 ML in February while the lowest monthly average is 23,030 ML in October. Figure 2-13 shows the comparison of the average monthly flows with flows recorded in drought year 1995 and 2007. In 1995, there were no streamflows recorded during winter, spring and late autumn.

Weemelah The Gil Gil Creek flow data is obtained from the DNR stream gauge 416027, which is located downstream of Weemelah. The stream flow data is available from 1979. Figure 2-14 shows the long term record of annual streamflows at this station. The recorded annual streamflows at this gauge station range from 9,853 ML (1993) to 545,006 ML (1999) with an average annual streamflow of 121,404 ML.

Figure 2-15 shows that the highest average monthly flows occur during late summer while the lowest average monthly flows are during late autumn. The highest average monthly flow is 19,352 ML in February while the lowest monthly flow is 3,799 ML in May.

Figure 2-15 shows the comparison of the average monthly flows with the flow recorded in drought year 1993 and 2007.


Page 20


0

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Figure 2-14: Annual Streamflows at Weemelah (Stream Gauge - 416027)

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Page 21


Garah Gil Gil Creek flow data is obtained from the DNR stream gauge 416054, which is located approximately 20km downstream of Garah. Using the available streamflow data and catchment scaling, a long term estimate of Gil Gil Ck flows was made at extraction point. The streamflow data is available from 1996. Figure 2-16 graphically represents the outcomes of this analysis. The 5 year moving average has been dropping since 2004. Figure 2-17 shows the monthly streamflows of Gil Gil Ck at the extraction point while Table 2-5 contains the estimated average year and dry year monthly flows.

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s (M

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Figure 2-16: Estimated Historical Annual Flows in Gil Gil Ck

Table 2-5: Estimated Monthly Flows in Gil Gil Ck

Gil Gil Ck – Estimated Flow (ML)

Water Year Dry Year Year/ Month

1998 2007 Average Year

July 0 46 6,859 August 0 11 9,757

September 0 0 8,071 October 0 0 151

November 0 0 14,298 December 0 0 7,914 January 0 1 6,933 February 0 0 13,036 March 0 0 4,871 April 0 0 317 May 75 0 83

June 1 0 14

Annual Flow 76 57 86,374


Page 22


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Figure 2-17: Estimated Historical Monthly Flow in Gil Gil Ck

Based on the data in Table 2-5 Gil Gil Ck would provide an adequate source of water for Garah except during May and June in terms of quantity in an average year. It is impossible to meet demands in a dry year.

2.3 Urban Population and Production Based on the 2001 census figures, the MPSC population was recorded as 16,233 (Ref.1). The township of Moree is the largest population centre and has a population of 9,273 in the 2001 census year. The permanent populations have been estimated at:

Urban Centre Current Population

Boggabilla 675

Boomi 170

Garah 120

Gurley 26

Mungindi 641

Moree 9,384

Pallamallawa 299

Weemelah 45

2.3.1 Urban Production A consistent and complete water consumption data record for the existing water supply system is important for determining how well the system is performing in terms of delivery of water services. Records of the water volumes extracted, treated and consumed are used to determine how efficiently the water system is operated, and identify places where water is lost or unaccounted for.

The Figure 2-18 outlines the historic annual production at MTWS from 2000 to 2007. The average daily production of the MTWS in the 2007 water year was 7.4 ML/d while 7.2 ML/d in 2006. MPSC has


Page 23


provided the daily production data for the period of January 2002 to April 2004 for MTWS. Base on available information the peak day demand was 15 ML for 2003 water year. Figure 2-19 shows the graphically represent the peak day demand in month at MTWS. See Appendix C for further details.

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Figure 2-18: Historic Production at MTWS

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Figure 2-19: Historic Peak Day Demand in Month at MTWS

The Figure 2-20 outlines the annual production at Boggabilla Water System (BWS), Mungindi Water System (MWS) and Pallamallawa Water System (PWS) from 2002 to 2005. The daily production data is available from 1/01/2003 to 31/03/2006 for BWS, 1/01/2003 to 31/06/2006 for MWS and 1/01/2001 to 30/04/2006 for PWS. The average daily treated water production of the BWS in the 2005 was 0.23 ML/d while 0.25 ML/d in 2004. The average daily production of the MWS was 0.67 ML/d while 0.20 ML/d for PWS in 2005. Figure 2-21 shows the monthly peak day demands in for


Page 24


BWS, MWS and PWS. Figure 2-21 shows that the peak day demand increases in summer compared to other seasons due to an increase in external use.

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Figure 2-20: Historic Production – Boggabilla, Mungindi and Pallamallawa

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Figure 2-21: Historic Peak Day Demand in Month at BWS, MWS and PWS

Figure 2-22 outlines the total annual production at BWSS, GWSS, GWS and WWSS from 2001 to 2005. Monthly production data is available for these urban centres. The average daily water production of the BWSS was 63.7 kL/d in the 2005 while 67.4 kL/d in 2004. The average daily water production from Gil Gil Ck of the GWSS was 97 kL/d in the 2005 while 94 kL/d in 2004. The average daily water production from GAB of the GWSS was 10kL/d in the 2005 and 10 kL/d in 2004. So the total water production of GWSS was 107kL/d in the 2005 and 104kL/d in 2004. The average daily water


Page 25


production of GWS and WWSS were 24.5kL/d and 58.6 kL/d in 2005 while 24.3 kL/d and 43.9 kL/d in 2004 respectively.

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Figure 2-22: Historic Production – BWSS, GWSS, GWS and WWSS

2.3.2 Types of Urban Water Customers To investigate the possibilities for reducing water demand in times of drought, it is necessary to understand customer group consumption. To undertake this customer analysis, metered water consumption is typically linked to customer category. MPSC provided Commerce with the Shire’s water customer billing database. MPSC further provided Commerce with GIS cadastral information. Unfortunately the data sets did not provide a common field and therefore Commerce was unable to link the shire’s water consumption database and the shire’s GIS information data in order to analyse water consumption and Non-Revenue Water (NRW) on a per urban area basis. See for further detail in Appendix C.

Base on the SOE 2005 report, the Table 2-6 shows the annual consumption for the Moree, Mungindi and Boggabilla while Figure 2-23 shows the water consumption per customer categories.

Table 2-6: Water Demands According to Customer Type*

Category Moree Mungindi Boggabilla

Residential 1927 281 127

Commercial 226 10 15

Industrial 113 0.5 7

Bulk Sales 5 0.5 0

Public Use 35 3.6 0.5

Unaccounted 5.5 0.8 0.5 Leakage - 3.1 0.5

* Source from SOE 2005


Page 26


Boggabilla

Residential84.4%

Commercial10.0%

Industrial4.7%

NRW1.0%

Exported0.0%

Moree

Residential83.4%

Industrial4.9%

NRW1.8%

Exported0.2%

Commercial9.8%

Mungindi

Residential94%

Exported0%

NRW3% Industrial

0%

Commercial3%

* Source from SOE 2005

Figure 2-23: Water Consumption by Percentage According to Customer Type*

2.3.3 Seasonal Variation of Urban Demands Moree demand has a high seasonal component and fluctuates throughout the year. Factors influencing the urban demand within Moree service area include increased domestic outdoor usage during the hot summer months and tourism peaks during summer, Easter and school holidays. Figure 2-24 outlines the average monthly production based on historical data from January 1999 to June 2007, as well as the monthly production in dry year – 2005.

As expected, the Figure 2-24 shows the average monthly demand is highest in summer (10.2 ML/d) while lowest in winter (5.8 ML/d) for MTWS. This may be due to increased demands in summer resulting from climate and tourism. In addition to climate and tourism there are also increases in population due to the employment of seasonal workers in agriculture. The main seasons for harvest labour are shown in Table 2-7.

Table 2-7: Seasonal Harvest Employment*

Period Job March to May cotton picking / cotton

ginning April to August olives April to August pecans October to December grain harvest November to January cotton chipping

*Reference 8


Page 27


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Figure 2-24: Average Monthly and Dry Year Production at MTWS

Figure 2-25 shows the seasonal demand variation. The average day demand for MWS in January is 0.9 ML/d while 0.4 ML/d in July. The average day demand gradually increases from winter to summer months which indicate an increase in the usage of evaporative coolers with increases in temperature. Mungindi has more than double the demand in summer compared to winter. The demand increases in summer due to high usage of evaporative coolers in Mungindi. The dry year demand is 4% greater than the average year demand, the difference being contributed over summer months. Similarly, the average day demand for PWS in January is 0.3ML/d while 0.1 ML/d in July. The dry year demand (2003) for PWS in January is 0.4 ML/d while 0.1 ML/d in April.

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Monthly Production Mungindi Dry Year Monthly Production Mungindi (2005)

Monthly Production Pallamallawa Dry Year Monthly Production Pallamallawa (2003)

Figure 2-25: Average Monthly and Dry Year Production at PWS and MWS


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0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APRIL MAY JUNE

Ave

rage

Mon

thly

Dem

and

(kL)

Mean Potable (kL) Dry Year 2005 Potable (kL)

Mean Non-Potable (kL) Dry Year 2005 Non Potable (kL)

Figure 2-26: Average Monthly and Dry Year Production at BWS

Figure 2-25 shows the average monthly and dry year potable and non potable production at BWS. The average year potable production at BWS remains steady throughout year with little variation, similarly in the dry year as well. Internal demands do not vary significantly with seasonal change while external demand changes with seasonal change and the variation can be seen from the non potable production displayed in Figure 2-25. The average year potable demand is 7.3 ML while the non potable demand is 4.9 ML. The average dry year (2005) daily non potable demand is 0.37ML/d in March while 0.07 ML/d in September.

Figure 2-27 shows the seasonable variation in demand at GWSS and WWSS. The average day demand for GWSS in January is 0.21 ML/d while 0.06 ML/d in July. The average day demand sharply increases in summer months when compared to winter months. The average day dry year demand for GWSS in January is 0.29 ML/d yet 0.03 ML/d in July. Similarly, the average day demand for WWSS in March 0.09 ML/d yet 0.02 ML/d in July and the average day dry year demand is 0.16 ML/d in March yet 0.02 ML/d in July.


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0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000


Ave

rage

Mon

thly

Pro

duct

ion

(kL)

Average Monthly Production - Garah

Dry Year Monthly Production (2002) - Garah

Average Year Monthly Production - Weemelah

Dry Year Monthly Production - Weemelah

Figure 2-27: Average Monthly and Dry Year Production at GWSS and WWSS

Figure 2-28 shows the seasonable variation in demand at GWS and BWSS. The average day demand for GWS in February is 0.04 ML/d and 0.02ML/d in August. Some production data is provided in quarterly form so the dry year monthly distribution is not available for GWS. The average data demand for BWSS in March is 0.11 ML/d and 0.03 ML/d in August and the average day dry demand in January 0.13 ML/d and 0.03 ML/d in August.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500


Ave

rage

Mon

thly

Pro

duct

ion

(kL)

Average Monthly Production - Boomi

Dry Year Monthly Production (2003) - Boomi

Average Year Monthly Production - Gurley

Dry Year Monthly Production (2003) - Gurley

Figure 2-28: Average Monthly and Dry Year Production at GWS and BWSS


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2.3.4 Treated Effluent Reuse Treated effluent from Moree Wastewater Scheme (MWWS) is being reused to irrigate Ron Harborne Oval, Moree Cemetery, Moree Golf Course and a property to the north of the Gwydir River. Approximately 28% of the Moree STP inflow was reused for irrigation purpose in 2004 (Ref.5). It is reported that STP inflows are fully reused during 2006 and MPSC has already received a draft of the amended licence for full reuse (Ref.5).

MPSC is currently developing a concept for the reuse of effluent from Mungindi STP for agricultural end users. MPSC has acquired a total land area of 37.2 ha adjoining the STP for reuse. Lot 68 with an area of 7.5 ha is allocated for both a wetland and effluent pond and lot 67 with an area of 29.7 has been allocated for the irrigation pond (Ref.5).

2.4 Drought Performance MPSC has experienced two significant droughts in the last 15 years; namely 1996 and 2002. However MPSC has never placed any water restriction on MTWS. BWS, MWS and WWSS have experienced water shortages and restrictions, but they are rare and the consumers are not greatly affected as many of the residents have maintained their private bores. MWS has had restrictions, not due to lack of water but reduced water quality in the Barwon River. Poor quality water typically increases treatment time and therefore reduces the volume of water treated.

2.4.1 Moree and Pallamallawa Moree and Pallamallawa have very secure water supply sources drawn from the LGGS (Ref. 13). There was a 2m drop in standing water level (SWL) reported in some of the town bores (Ref.13). It is understood from the Appendix D figure 1 and Appendix D figure 4 in , when the stream flows are very low, the aquifer level subsequently drops at a fast rate. Commerce has assumed that there is a strong link between the river’s water flow and LGGS. MPSC needs to undertake hydrological analysis to establish and confirm such link.

Aquifer Storage Level MPSC currently has telemetry systems in place for the control and monitoring of MPSC water supply schemes. MPSC has experienced significant problems in extracting historical data from the current system and has historically used the system to monitor the day-to-day real-time operation through SCADA the system’s visual display. It is understood that limited active data capture and analysis is conducted.

It is also understood that RAD-TEL SYSTEMS has been recently installing Water Supply Telemetry upgrades for MPSC. In 2007, telemetry has been installed at the villages of Garah, Gurley, Boomi, Weemelah and Pallamallawa.

RAD-TEL SYSTEMS has also installed telemetry on various water supply reservoirs in Moree Township. MPSC has recently ordered equipment for installation on all the Moree Water bores this financial year. (Ref. Perscomm. A. Nesbitt RADTEL, 1st November 2007).

As there is limited historical information available, it is suggested that the sustainable yield of respective aquifers on which MPSC draws water are monitored over the coming financial year and into the future. The collection of bore SWLs and pump flow rate and run time data will provide a greater understanding of the security of MPSC water supplies and the future implications of aquifer allocations under respective Water Sharing Plans (WSPs). An annual review of this data will allow MPSC to review its current drought management and restriction policy in accordance with the performance of its water supply schemes.

Risks Extraction from the LGGS is currently allocated well above the estimated recharge. At a present a WSP has been prepared for the LGGS outlining the program for reduction of allocations in order to


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reflect the annual recharge. The LGGS is currently heavily over allocated but the actual usage on the LGGS is not that high and therefore there has not been any need to restrict Council’s access in the past (Ref. 13).

2.4.2 Boggabilla BWS has a dual water supply which pumps its raw water from the Macintyre River. BWS has experienced water shortage and restrictions in the past. Restriction details have not provided. Appendix D figure 2 shows the daily stream flow and daily raw water extraction. It is noted that 20 days with an average 2.9 ML per day flow has been identified during the 2004 water year in the Macintyre River. Commerce has estimated that during those periods MPSC has placed restrictions on the BWS. MPSC reported that BWS’s customers are not greatly affected as many of the residents have maintained their private bores which now serve as yard water supplies (Ref.13 ). In the last drought, a new artesian bore was drilled as alternative water supply for Boggabilla.

2.4.3 Mungindi Appendix D figure 3 shows that an numbers of occasions stream flows in the Barwon River have ceased since 2003. It is noted that no stream flows has been reported for a period of 20 days in dry year 2003. Raw water is pumped from a 730 ML weir pool on the Barwon River. So it may not effect on volume but it may effect on water quality during the drought period when the weir water is extracted. Raw water quality in the Barwon River is poor with sampling recording the presence of high turbidity, atrazine (pesticide), iron, and ammonia, faecal coliform and low dissolved oxygen (Ref. 5). Restrictions are common, although this is not due to lack of water but diminished water quality (Ref.13). While it is understood that previously Water restrictions have been enforced, details of the level and duration of the restrictions have not provided.

2.4.4 Boomi, Garah, Gurley and Weemelah Boomi is served by a reticulated non-potable supply derived from a privately owned thermal artesian bore. Potable water is derived from private rainwater tanks, which are assumed to fail during dry periods. The Table 2-8 shows that the estimated number of times and total duration of failure of RWTs in the dry period.

Garah has a reticulated non-potable water supply, with rainwater tanks being used for drinking and potable purposes. Currently, raw water is extracted from nearby Gil Gil Creek during periods of wet weather before being stored in a 50 ML sedimentation pond. The Table 2-8 shows that the estimated number of times and total duration of failure of RWTs in the dry period. An emergency artesian bore was constructed in 2002 to supplement the surface water source during this period. The option of a 50:50 blending of Gil Gil Creek and the Artesian bore water is proposed so as to maximize water quality and minimise operational treatment cost as much as possible (Ref.6). It is noted that the dams when new, where capable of storing three years worth of water for Garah and with the addition of the artesian bore Garah now has a drought resistant supply (Ref.13).

Gurley is served with a non-potable supply derived from a privately owned bore. Potable water is derived from private rainwater tanks, which are assumed to fail during extended dry periods. Table 2-8 shows that estimated number of times and total duration of failure of RWTs in the dry period.

Weemelah is served by a reticulated non-potable supply drawn from Gil Gil Ck during times of high flow, downstream of the junction with the Carole Creek, which in turn, is fed by the regulated Gwydir River. The water storage is an estimated 50 ML storage pond and there is no treatment of the water except natural settling. Raw water in Gil Gil Ck downstream of Weemelah has recorded high level of ammonia, atrazine (pesticide) and turbidity and low dissolved oxygen. Weemelah has experienced potable water shortages and restrictions. It has been noted that if Gil Gil Ck water were used as a potable supply during dry periods then this would result in a failure of potable water quality against the ADWG guidelines (Ref.5). Potable water is drawn from RWTs, which are assumed to fail during extended dry period. The Table 2-8 shows that the estimated number of times and total duration of failure of RWTs in the dry period. It is noted that the Department of Agriculture subsides water carting costs for domestic internal use and MPSC provides the water free of charge. An emergency


Page 32


artesian bore was constructed to supplement the surface water source during that period. Restrictions details have not provided.

Table 2-8: Estimated No. of Failures and Total Duration of Failure of RWT

No Climate Change Climate Change for 2070

No. of failure Total Duration No. of failure Total Duration

Urban

Centre

Tank Size

Average Year

Dry Year

Average Year

Dry Year

Average Year

Dry Year

Average Year

Dry Year

5 kL Tank 17 24 266 328 17 24 280 330

10 kL Tank 16 23 243 318 16 23 263 323 Garah & Gurley

20 kL Tank 15 22 227 310 15 22 250 319

5 kL Tank 16 22 269 331 15 22 288 344

10 kL Tank 14 22 244 331 13 20 270 344 Weemelah &

Boomi 20 kL Tank 13 20 224 331 13 20 255 344

Note:

1. Maximum no. of failure of RWT occurs in 1999 for all towns.

2. Maximum total duration of failure of RWT occurs in 2002 for Garah and Gurley while 1994 for Weemelah and Boomi.


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3 Drought Management Process Commerce has undertaken the drought management process for individual local water supplies. Commerce has identified the sources and prepared drought management and emergency response measures based on the available water sources for respective water supplies. Based on a review water sources, the following local water supplies are each in divided under a drought management process.

3.1 Moree Drought Management Process There are four urban areas which rely on the LGGS for water supply. These include Moree, Pallamallawa, Ashley, and Biniguy. Specific drought management process has been designed for Moree and is also applicable for the other three towns. It is understood that the standing water level may vary to place to place; however average SWL will be measured at Moree borefield and recommended that MPSC will impose the appropriate restriction level to the four urban areas as shown the Table 3-1.


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Table 3-1: Drought Management Process and Emergency Response Measures Together for MTWS


Page 35


Table 3-2: Required MPSC Actions for MTWS


Page 36


Figure 3-1: Drought Management Process for MTWS


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3.2 Boggabilla Drought Management Process The Table 3-3 shows the timing of drought management and emergency response measure for BWS.

Toomelah has an artesian bore and potable water is drawn from an artesian bore (Ref.3), so it is assumed that the GAB source is a secure local water supply source in drought periods.

Table 3-3: Drought Management Process and Emergency Response Measures Together for BWS


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Table 3-4: Required MPSC Actions for BWS


Page 39


Figure 3-2: Drought Management Process for BWS


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3.3 Mungindi Drought Management Process The Table 3-5 shows the timing of drought management and emergency response measure for MWS.

Table 3-5: Drought Management Process and Emergency Response Measures Together for MWS


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Table 3-6: Required MPSC Actions for MWS


Page 42


Figure 3-3: Drought Management Process for MWS


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3.4 Garah Drought Management Process Boomi, Garah, Gurley and Weemelah reply on the GAB for their non potable supply while potable supply is delivered from the private rainwater tanks. The GAB is the common source for the non potable water supply and therefore Commerce has planned common drought management process for those towns. Therefore Garah Water Supply restriction level is applicable for Boomi, Gurley and Weemelah. Commerce has considered that in the event of drought, Boomi and Gurley and Weemelah may rely on GAB water for their non potable water supply. It is understood that since GAB is a secure water supply source, Boomi, Garah, Gurley and Weemelah never come under the strain of drought; however they would follow Garah’s restriction level throughout drought conditions. Table 3-7 shows the timing of drought management and emergency response measures for GWSS.


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Table 3-7: Drought Management Process and Emergency Response Measures Together for GWSS


Page 45


Table 3-8: Required MPSC Actions for GWSS


Page 46


Figure 3-4: Drought Management Process for GWSS


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4 Drought Management and Emergency Response Strategy Measures

4.1 Drought Management Measures Drought management measures consist of both demand reduction and the development of alternative supply source opportunities.

4.1.1 Demand Reduction Opportunities Demand reduction opportunities are considered as preventative measures, as the demand reduction programs assist in reducing demand/consumption both in the short and long terms. In view of the long term benefits, MPSC should actively pursue the following opportunities on a ‘business as usual’ basis.

Communication MPSC should constantly communicate with public authorities, water utilities and the community to the success of the demand reduction measures and in achieving the targets in this DMP. There are two key components of any successful communication strategy are:

• The message being conveyed; and

• The medium used to convey that message.

MPSC should involve the North Western Plains media strongly in raising community awareness and should encourage more efficient use of water (Ref.13).

It is not within the scope of this plan to develop a detailed communication strategy. It is essential, however, that any communication plan should notify customers and public authorities of what actions are required at each level of restriction.

Restriction Policy and Penalties It is noted the water restriction policy has been prepared by MPSC and represents a hybrid of the work undertaken at draft stages of this DMP. Appendix B contains the current MPSC drought restriction policy. Policing of the restriction levels is important to achieve lower demand targets. It is not known whether MPSC currently has a fines system in place for dealing with offenders, but is recommended for implementation.

Residential Water Saving Opportunities MPSC should encourage to community to adopt the WELS Scheme. The WELS Scheme applies to toilets, flushing devices, shower heads, washing machines, dishwashing machines and many other types of equipment.

Toilets It is estimated that 50% of toilets are the old style single flush toilet using up to 12 litres of water in one flush. 15% of toilets are AA rated and 35% of toilets are AAA rated, having 6/3L cisterns. Figure 4-1 shows that the daily residential indoor end users for Moree’s average household in 2007 and predicted in 2037. It is clearly shows that water savings of 8 L/p/d could be achieved through toilet retrofit. More water efficient dual flush toilets average less than four litres. Replacing a traditional single flush toilet with a water efficient dual flush toilet saves about 51 litres per person per day (Ref.17). Using a water efficient dual flush toilet reduces household water use by around 1,000 litres per household per year.


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Shower heads and Washing Machines Figure 4-1: shows that the water consumption for shower and washing machines will reduce over this period. It is believed that because the future installation of water-efficient fixtures will governed by consumer choice and the availability of products in the market place.

To assist the natural propagation process, MPSC should consider including specific provisions in its Development Control Plans (DCPs) to cover minimum performance standards for all water using fixtures for all new and replacement installations. Water efficient appliances and fittings such as water efficient shower roses, 6 L / 3 L dual flush toilets and tap aerators can be installed in new houses at little or no extra cost.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

RES Toilets RES Baths RES Showers RES Taps/Sinks RES Dishwashers RES WashingMachines

Internal End Use Fixtures

Dem

and

(L/C

onne

ctio

n/d)

2007

2037

Figure 4-1: Typical Residential Water Uses for Moree in 2007 and in 2037

Table 4-1 shows the average annual saving from the retrofit and rebate program and costs of the program to the utility. Further reduction in water consumption in the residential sector could also be achieved through water audits. The audits could be conducted as a free service and should provide advice to the residents on how to best conserve water and hence reduce their water bills. The customers targeted by such a scheme could be identified through water bills.

External Consideration should also be given by MPSC to undertake programs that increase garden water efficiency. As was stated earlier, promoting improved garden watering practices through an education program could be used to alter wasteful habits employed by some water customers. Significant savings in water use can be made by addressing these practices in an education program, further resulting in an increased public awareness of water conservation issues and improved behavioural patterns of water use.

Non Residential Water Saving Opportunities MPSC could develop simple checklist type formats of water management plans (WMP) for a variety of typical industrial, commercial, tourist, sporting club etc users and issue to all non residential users to complete and return to council. There WMPs could require uses to segregate their estimated water use into such categories as:

• Process;


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• Wash down;

• Food preparation;

• Bathroom/toilet and

• Laundry

WMPs could also require:

• Details, as appropriate, of plumbing fittings;

• Results of an overnight leakage check;

• Occupancy rates of rooms, number of employees etc; and

• Proposals to affect a nominated and substantial reduction in water use

Water Saving Program Costs and Logistics

Residential and Non Residential Water Saving Opportunities – Cost of Implementation Table 4-1 shows the residential and non residential water saving opportunities and their respective cost for implementations.

Residential and Non residential Water Saving Opportunities – lead Time for Implementation A lead time of the order of 3 months would be necessary assuming MPSC already had in place an active demand management program.

It would be necessary for MPSC to develop a detailed implementation plan, if emergency demand reduction measures were to be adopted. It is expected that consumption could be reduced close to 100 L/p/d, if most of those techniques were employed. Further, there would be some ongoing benefit towards long term demand management to the extent that water efficient appliances had been installed. Reduction of residential daily demand from 150 L/p/d to 100 L/p/d would result in a reduction in 1.10 ML/d for MTWS.

Non Revenue Water (NRW) and Leakage As previously discussed, MPSC provided Commerce with the Shire’s water customer billing database. An extract of the database is included within Appendix C. MPSC further provided Commerce with GIS cadastral information. Unfortunately the data sets did not provide a common field and therefore Commerce was unable to link the Shire’s water consumption database and the Shire’s GIS information data in order to analyse water consumption and Non-Revenue Water (NRW) on a per urban area basis. Council noted that their Revenue Division had recently changed their customer categories to a numbering system and to date have not provided the interpretation of the new customer categories.

Non revenues water (NRW) refers to metering unbilled consumption and system losses. It is made up of leakage from MPSC’s system of truck mains, reticulation mains and service connections and accumulative inaccuracies in MPSC and consumer meters. Moree IWCM Concept Study reported 30% NRW across all water supply schemes in MPSC while the SOE 2005 reported 1.8% NRW so it required to do further analysis with regards to water meter accuracy, production and consumption data. NRW is usually in the range of 7%-25% of bulk water supply and typically this figure is related to the age of the distribution system.

Leakage is largely dependent on pressure and physical condition of pipes and fittings, and is somewhat independent of demand. It is important to reduce the real losses. In an emergency


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situation when MPSC is endeavouring to supply minimum requirement of basic customer needs, the need to supply an additional real losses water to overcome leakage would represent a very significant cost and add to supply difficulties. An assessment of the current level of leakage based on the IWA methodology has not been undertaken as part of this Drought Management Plan due to the incompleteness of data required for necessary analysis.


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Table 4-1 Demand Management Stand-Alone Measure Evaluation *

Moree Water Supply Boggabilla Water Supply

Mungindi Water Supply

Pallamallawa Water Supply

Water Utility

Measure Name

Present Value of Water Utility Costs:

Average Water

Savings (ML/a)


Average Water

Savings (ML/a)


Average Water

Savings (ML/a)


Average Water

Savings (ML/a)

Community Education $54,149 4.2 $47,116 0.1 $47,092 0.2 $46,815 0.1

(WELS) $52,293 17.2 $4,355 1.2 $5,378 1.0 $2,342 0.5

Residential Shower Retrofit $5,925 1.3 $492 0.1 $607 0.1 $265 0.1

Residential Washing Machine Rebate $28,322 23.1 $2,371 1.7 $2,927 1.5 $1,274 0.7

Fixture Code - Taps and Showers – New Development $7,547 28.1 $6,600 1.7 $6,596 1.6 $6,559 0.8

BASIX - Fixture Efficiency with Rainwater Use $61,697 65.3 $53,715 2.4 $53,688 6.0 $53,374 1.4

Evaporative Cooling Unit and Cooling Tower Audit $125,971 5.6 $23,674 0.1 $25,235 0.3 $20,663 0.1

Non-Residential Water Audits $11,403 12.0 $8,300 0.1 $8,289 0.1 $8,167 0.1

Sub total $347,307 156.8 $146,623 7.4 $149,812 10.8 $139,459 3.8

System Water Loss Management $235,119 22.2 $54,430 0.6 $34,377 1.1 $33,238 0.5

Sub total $235,119 22.2 $54,430 0.6 $34,377 1.1 $33,238 0.5

Total $582,426 179.0 $201,053 8.0 $184,189 11.9 $172,697 4.3

*Ref.7 7


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Leakage – Cost of Implementation Instead of more passive approaches where leaks are fixed when reported, MPSC would take a more active role by actually searching for and repairing leaks in the supply system. The estimated cost involved in the detection of leaks is $280 per km and for repair of leaks is $230 per km (Ref. 10). Table 4-1 shows the indicative cost of undertaking system water loss management work for Moree, Boggabilla, Mungindi and Pallamallawa.

NRW and Leakage – Benefits It is estimated that MPSC loses $547,766 in revenue every year from NRW across all water supply schemes (Ref.5). It would require MPSC to periodically carry out leak detection surveys and repair work in the future if it desires to maintain low leakage levels. It should be possible to reduce this figure to less than 10% of average annual consumption for all water supply schemes across MPSC. Additionally, during higher restriction levels MPSC could also consider reducing the response time to fix reported leaks.

NRW and Leakage – Lead time for Implementation It is required that investigation undertaken to better understand the breakdown of the present high level of NRW including the extent and broad location of leakage problems. The program outlined above to review the situation as well as locate and repair major leaks could take a minimum of 3 months.


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4.1.2 Local Supply Opportunities There are a number of local water source supply opportunities available to MPSC during emergencies. These opportunities at individual urban centres are as follows:

Moree

• Lower Gwydir Groundwater Source; • Great Artesian Basin;

Boggabilla

• Border River Alluvium; • Goondiwindi Water Supply Scheme;

Pallamallawa

• Lower Gwydir Groundwater Source; • MTWS; • Great Artesian Basin;

Mungindi

• Barwon River Weir Storage; • Great Artesian Basin;

Boomi

• MTWS • Great Artesian Basin;

Garah

• MTWS; • Great Artesian Basin;

Gurley

• MTWS; • Great Artesian Basin;

Weemelah

• MTWS; and • Great Artesian Basin


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Lower Gwydir Groundwater Source

Description The Gwydir River and its tributaries feed the Lower Gwydir Groundwater Source (LGGS). LGGS is an area of unconsolidated alluvial sediments of approximately 90km2 westward from Gravesend and covering an area of about 190,000 hectares.

It has been estimated that the volume available for extraction is not greater than 38,760 ML/year plus the total water made available to supplementary water access licenses (Ref. 11). The Water Sharing Plan for LGGS has been amended and was released on 1 October 2006. It is stated that the available water determination made for aquifer access licenses should be such that the total of available water determinations minus the total requirements for basic landholder rights, minus the total available water determinations for domestic and stock and local water utility access licenses and supplementary water access licenses, or such lower amount as results from the operation (Ref. 11). Figure 4-2 shows the extent of availability of the LGGS.

Figure 4-2: Lower Gwydir Groundwater Source

It would be necessary to carry out a hydrogeological evaluation of this source including test boring and water quality testing to establish a suitable source area. To further utilize this system, it has been assumed that a permanent or temporary bore be sink in the Northern Borefiled in Moree. According to the amended WSP LGGS, a new water supply bore should be installed from 100 meters from high priority groundwater dependent ecosystems in the borefield (Ref. 11).

Water would be pumped to one of the Broadwater standpipe reservoirs and transported via water cart from there to surrounding urban centres (Boomi, Garah, Gurley and Weemelah) in the event of RWT failures and until level six restrictions apply to MTWS. MPSC must stop the water carting once MTWS reaches level six restrictions. If this option is included in the adopted strategy, MPSC should prepare a plan of management for the storage (standpipe reservoir) and catchment to protect its value as a water source.


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Water Quality: Table 4-2 shows that it is likely that the groundwater would require primary treatment to meet ADWG health guidelines. In the average year MTWS only requires chlorination and fluoridation treatment process. The dry year 2003 water quality data shows that total coliforms indicator exceeded NSW Health Drinking Water Guidelines (Ref.12). MPSC has to take water quality testing in the event of drought and apply the treatment according to water quality. It would be necessary to further investigate the size of the storage, water quality, any pollution hazards and the environmental impact of drawing from this storage.

Commerce has assumed that the current treatment facility is sufficient to meet the NSW Health Drinking water Guidelines in the event of drought.

Table 4-2 Groundwater quality – LGGS*

Guideline Value Parameter

Value Unit

Mean Min. Max. Number

of samples

Number

of Exceeded

% meeting guideline

values

Aluminium 0.20 mg/L 0.039 0.0099 0.14 31 0 100

Antimony 0.0030 mg/L 0.001 0 0.002 36 0 100

Arsenic 0.0070 mg/L 0.0011 0 0.002 36 0 100

Barium 0.70 mg/L 0.0354 0.024 0.111 36 0 100

Boron 4.0 mg/L 0.0975 0.0438 0.099 36 0 100

Cadmium 0.0020 mg/L 0.0005 0 0.0007 36 0 100

Calcium - mg/L 13.4 7.18 22.36 31 0 100

Chloride 250 mg/L 13.3 10 26 31 0 100

Chromium 0.050 mg/L 0.0069 0.005 0.019 36 0 100

Copper 2.0 mg/L 0.0923 0.005 1.061 42 0 100

Cyanide 0.08 mg/L 0.0099 0.0099 0.0099 18 0 100

E. coli 0.0 cfu/100 mL 0.0028 0 1 361 1 100

Fluoride 1.50 mg/L 0.1901 0.099 1.05 42 0 100

Fluoride (daily WSA)

0.9 – 1.5

mg/L 0.8859 0.104 1.4 606 148 76

Fluoride (field result WSA) 1.50 mg/L 1.09 1.03 1.15 2 0 100

Fluoride (weekly WSA)

0.9 – 1.5

mg/L 0.9074 0.16 1.33 164 28 83

Fluoride Ratio 0.8 – 1.2 1.085 1.07 1.1 2 0 100

Iodine 0.10 mg/L 0.0206 0.0198 0.028 35 0 100

Iron 0.30 mg/L 0.0167 0.0099 0.08 31 0 100

Lead 0.010 mg/L 0.002 0.0002 0.002 42 0 100

Magnesium - mg/L 7.4677 3.8 12.48 31 0 100


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Manganese 0.50 mg/L 0.0061 0.0001 0.042 42 0 100

Mercury 0.0010 mg/L 0.0001 0.0001 0.0005 36 0 100

Molybdenum 0.050 mg/L 0.005 0.0029 0.007 36 0 100

Nickel 0.020 mg/L 0.0096 0.0004 0.0099 36 0 100

Nitrate 50 mg/L 2.8631 0.99 6.9 42 0 100

Nitrite 3.0 mg/L 0.13 0.099 0.8 42 0 100

pH 6.5 – 8.5 7.4548 6.9 8.2 42 0 100

Selenium 0.010 mg/L 0.002 0.0004 0.002 36 0 100

Silver 0.10 mg/L 0.0019 0.0002 0.002 35 0 100

Sodium 180 mg/L 51.4027 28.9 70.5 37 0 100

Sulfate 500 mg/L 12.7306 4.9 81.1 36 0 100

Thermotolerant Coliforms 0.0 cfu/100

mL 0 0 0 84 0 100

Total Coliforms 0.0 cfu/100 mL 0.277 0 56 361 10 97

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 500 mg/L 172.439 138 223 41 0 100

Total Hardness as CaCO3 200 mg/L 64.4645 33.6 105.3 31 0 100

True Colour 15 Hazen Units (HU)

1.0712 0.99 3.1 26 0 100

Turbidity 5 NTU 0.154 0.099 0.9 42 0 100

Zinc 3 mg/L 0.0506 0.0099 0.31 31 0 100

* Source: NSW Health


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Cost of Implementation Capital Costs

Hydrogeological investigation, test bores $20,000

Install a bore pump (1.5 L/s- 65m deep) $20,000

Power supply $2,000

Pipeline (200m, 75mm DN - HDPE) $10,000

Engineering, contingencies $25,000

Total $77,000

Benefit This source has the ability to supply potable water to surrounding towns of Boomi, Garah, Gurley, Weemelah)prior to the application of Level 6 water restrictions on MTWS.

Lead Time A minimum lead time of 3 months would be required to investigate, design and construct these works.

Water Carting to Reservoirs

Description The brochure in Appendix Gprepared by the former DLWC outlines the procedure MPSC should follow in applying for financial assistance towards the cost of water carting. The Government will meet all costs in excess of a base cost/litre (presently free) incurred by MPSC in water carting.

MPSC would be responsible for determining the water source and determining the transport arrangements (the number and size of trucks and the loading and unloading points), while DEUS would review this planning before granting subsidy.

As set out in the brochure, DEUS will subsidise the minimum amount required for essential domestic, industrial and institutional purposes. In the case of Ashley, Biniguy, Boomi, Garah, Gurley and Weemelah, MPSC could seek to have subsidy provided towards the cost of water.

Source The source of water for cartage will depend on the flows within local rivers and storage levels of town water supplies and the failure of RWTs.

Moree Town Water Supply System

Moree is considered to have a secure system in terms of drought risks; however the MTWS may be placed under pressure if the surrounding urban centres are in drought and water is carted from this system (Ref. 13). As discussed in the Lower Gwydir Groundwater Source, a supplementary bore would be install in the Moree borefield to meet the additional water carting demand.

Due to lack of information regarding current water carting, it has been assumed that when the rainwater tanks fail to supply potable water in those towns (especially Boomi, Garah, Gurley, and Weemelah), they cart the potable water from Moree. Quantity and frequency of water carting for those towns have not been provided to Commerce. Commerce has estimated the number of failures and total duration of failure of RWTs, shown in the Table 2-8. Commerce also estimated the water carting demand base on analysis of RWT modeling for those towns. The internal residential demand and evaporative cooler demand can be seen in Table 4-3. The total water carting demand has been considered in the planning of the drought management process for Moree.


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Table 4-3 Estimated Dry Year Demand Base on RWT Size

Dry Year (1980) Water demand* Assumption Urban

Area Tank Size

kL/OD/a ML/d Description No. Source

No Tank 236 0.069 Urban Population 246 ABS 2006 5 kL Tank 190 0.056 Occupied Dwelling (OD) 107 ABS 2006 10 kL Tank 180 0.053 HHS 2.30

Boomi

20 kL Tank 170 0.050 Average Lot Size (m2) 2100 Calculated No Tank 237 0.029 Urban Population 120 ABS 2001

5 kL Tank 186 0.022 Occupied Dwelling (OD) 44 ABS 2001 10 kL Tank 175 0.021 HHS 2.73

Garah

20 kL Tank 165 0.020 Average Lot Size (m2) 2050 Calculated No Tank 237 0.010 Urban Population 26 2001 DPWS Estimated

5 kL Tank 186 0.008 Occupied Dwelling (OD) 16 2001 DPWS Estimated 10 kL Tank 175 0.008 HHS 1.63

Gurley

20 kL Tank 165 0.007 Average Lot Size (m2) 2050 Calculated No Tank 236 0.038 Urban Population 139 ABS 2006

5 kL Tank 190 0.031 Occupied Dwelling (OD) 59 ABS 2006 10 kL Tank 180 0.029 HHS 2.36

Weemelah

20 kL Tank 170 0.028 Average Lot Size (m2) 2100 Calculated * Dry year water demand includes internal residential demand.

Goondiwindi Town Water Supply Scheme (GTWSS)

The option of sourcing water from GTWSS for cartage will depend on the flows within local rivers and if storage levels of GTWSS are approaching failure. GTWSS is a potential option to cartage potable water for Boggabilla during the event of drought.

MPSC would negotiate with Goondiwindi Town and Waggamba Shire for the carting water from the GTWSS. MPSC has to consider that this is cross border exchange water. It is recommended that advice from DNR and DWE be sought. If unreasonable difficulties were encountered, MPSC could seek to have the Minister for Water and Energy use his/her powers under the Local Government Act to instruct the council to act in the required manner. MPSC should negotiate the price of water base on treated water or raw water from the weir.

GTWSS is an approximately 15 km away from the Boggabilla.

Transport and Cost Water carts vary from 10kL to 25 kL capacity. A 25kL water tank has been adopted for water carting. The Table 4-4 shows the water carting information and costs involved in water carting. It would be necessary to have a system which allowed water carts to load at high draw off rates. To allow rapid unloading, it would be necessary to have a system which allowed water carts to discharge at a high rate into a temporary ground level storage from which water could be pumped into Potable service reservoir or RWT. It is assumed that the water could be transferred straight to individual RWTs. The initiation costs involved in the water carting are shown below.

Project Initiation Costs

Identify preferred source – MTWS $5,000

Arrange approvals $5,000

Apply for government subsidy $2,000

Loading facilities – Stand pipe at MTWS N.A

Unloading facilities – Straight to RWT N.A

Arrange hire water carts $5,000


Page 59


Power supply $10,000 Supervision etc.- Part time one Employee $25,000

Total $52,000

It is noted that in the previous drought the Department of Agriculture subsided water carting costs for domestic internal use and MPSC provided the water free of charge (Ref. 13). Commerce has estimated that MPSC would provide the water free of charge in the event of drought.

Table 4-5 shows details of water carting from GTWSS. It would be necessary to have a system which allowed water carts to load at high draw off rates. MPSC has to check with GTWSS for standpipe reservoir to loading the truck. To allow rapid unloading it would be necessary to have a system which allowed water carts to discharge at a high rate into a temporary ground level storage from which water could be pumped into potable service reservoir.


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Table 4-4 Water Carting Information

Table 4-5 Water Carting from Goondiwindi


Page 61


Water Quality It is understood that the potable water quality at MTWS meets the ADWG. Treated water is used for carting so there is no issue for water quality when water is carted from MTWS.

In the absence of the water quality data of GTWSS, Commerce has assumed that any water available for carting from the GTWSS to meets ADWG. However MPSC may prefer to check water quality in the event of drought before carting water to Boggabilla.

Benefit This option could be sustained until Moree reaches the level six restrictions. This option would delay to use of a reverse osmosis plant. Goondiwindi is very close to Boggabilla, so water carting costs are lower than carting from Moree to Boggabilla.

Lead time The steps MPSC has to follow to obtain government subsidy towards the cost of cartage are shown in Figure 4-3 below. MPSC has to seek further advice for inter state exchange of water.

Figure 4-3: Steps required to Secure Government Subsidy

Great Artesian Basin (GAB)

Description The GAB is one of the largest artesian groundwater basins in the world. The GAB covers approximately 1,711,000 km2 and underlies 22% of Australian land areas. Approximately 12% of the GAB underlies the northern inland of NSW. It has estimated that there is a total water storage of 64,900 million ML (Ref. 16). The water of the GAB is held in a sandstone layer laid down by continental erosion of higher ground during the Trassic, Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods. The majority of GAB water flows westward to the south-east but flow to the north-west and north in the northern section.

The Garah Water Supply Scheme has installed an artesian bore in June 2002, located near the storage lagoon. The bore is 1,100 m deep with a yield of 20 L/s. Standing water level has been assumed that


Page 62


to be an the average SWL is 20 m below ground due to the bore being artesian water. Due to the quality of Gil Gil Creek and Artesian bore water, 50-50 blending is recommended so as to maximise water quality and minimise operational treatment costs as much as possible. details can be seen section 3.

(Ref. 16)

Figure 4-4: GAB Groundwater Source in Australia

Water Quality Water quality in the GAB is generally good with Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) varying between 500 mg/L to 1,500 mg/L, although pH may be very high and high sodium levels make it generally unsuitable for irrigation (Ref. 16). Water temperature varies from 30° c in the shallower areas to over 100° C in the deeper areas.

Cost of Implementation It is understood that there is no capital cost of implementation for an artesian bore at Garah. An emergency artesian bare was constructed in 2002 to supplement the surface water source however it is anticipated that will be operating costs for this existing bore.

Benefit This option could give up to 300 days worth storage water for Garah.

Lead time Lead time could be less than one month.


Page 63


Border River Alluvium Source (BRAS)

Description The Border River Alluvium Source is comprised of the alluvial sediments associated with the Dumaresq River from Mingoola to Keetah. The area of alluvium follows the Dumaresq River, which forms part of the border between NSW and Queensland.

The main aquifers in the alluvial sediments are referred to as Unit A, B and C, and differ in rock age type and morphology. The groundwater upstream of Keetah contains two Cainozoic alluvial formations. The upper unit, unit C, is 10m to 30 m thick and consists of unconsolidated sands and gravels with silt in some areas. Unit B is below unit C, can be up to 50 m thick and occurs at depths greater than 30 m. Downstream of Keetah, unit C consists of a shallow sand/gravel layer (8-16 m depth) that forms a continuous extensive unconfined aquifer that is not high yielding (Ref. 15). Figure 4-5 shows the area of the Border River alluvium groundwater source in NSW.

In view of this source, Commerce recommends that MPSC establish whether there is a link with the adjacent surface water source (Macintyre River). in the event of drought, it is expected that this source will run out very quickly. Commerce has not undertaken further analysis for this source.

Figure 4-5: Border River Alluvium Groundwater Source in NSW


Page 64


4.2 Emergency Response Measures Emergency response measures are needed when all demand reduction and alternative low cost fresh water supply source opportunity measures have been exhausted. The emergency response measures are highly costly and hence should be triggered as the last resort. The emergency response measures aim to

Maintain, as a minimum, the health, safety and hygiene of the community by ensuring sufficient water is available for potable needs and to convey the raw sewage from premises; and

To operate sewage treatment plants to ensure safe and sustainable discharge of the treated effluent.

The emergency response measures have been identified and evaluated for the urban areas in MPSC. The emergency response measures fall into two categories.

• Alternate emergency local supply opportunities; and

• Alternate emergency external supply opportunities

The alternate emergency local supply opportunities include:

• Reverse Osmosis of artesian water

The alternate emergency external supply opportunities include;

• Delivered Bottled Water to House for Essential Cooking and Drinking only

4.2.1 Alternate Emergency Local Supply Opportunities

Reverser Osmosis (RO) This is a secure local supply option in the event of emergency for all towns in MPSC. MPSC has allocated 945 ML GAB water extraction per year. A final emergency supply option would be desalination of GAB water by Reverse Osmosis (RO) process. However desalination still remains a very expensive source of water supply, both in terms of capital costs associated with the RO process and ongoing operating cost with removing dissolved salts from the GAB water. The brine waste also needs to be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner.

MPSC may choose to operate parts of the reticulated system for all urban areas on GAB water once fresh water within the shire has been depleted.

Cost of Implementation Cost of Implementation of this option is based on installation for individual urban centres and their demands in the period of drought. MPSC should contact suppliers for hiring RO plant during the drought period. Commerce has given the following estimates for a permanent RO Plant as well hiring an RO plant.

The estimated cost involved for a 1.5 L/s RO plant for Boomi, Garah, Gurley, Weemelah, Mungindi and Boggabilla is as follows:

Capital Costs:

1.5 L/s RO plant $150,000

(Cooling Water tower + RO pre treatment unit and RO unit)

Engineering Contingencies 20%

Operating Cost:

Membranes replacement ($0.9 - $1.34/kL)


Page 65


(Operator daily attendance, filter cartridges, chemical maintenance)

The operating cost does not include the pumping costs of GAB water pumped and the treated water pumped for pumping to the town reservoir.

Hiring Costs:

For 1.5 L/s RO plant $45,000 per month

For Moree:

MPSC require 20 L/s RO plant to meet the drought demand. The hiring cost of RO plant is $45,000 per month per mobile unit. Moree requires 2 mobile units.

Lead Time While suppliers offer 3 months delivery and commissioning, it would be prudent for MPSC to commence investigation into plant location, brine disposal issues etc at least 6 months before placing the order.

GAB is a secure water supply source for MPSC even in the drought period. Further options have not been analysed.


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4.3 Comparison of Measures Table 4-6 below shows an economic, logistic and volumetric capacity comparison of the drought management and emergency response measures outlined above in Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 respectively.

Table 4-6 Emergency Measure Comparison

Capital Cost Daily Cost Hire

Charge Capacity Storage Minimum.

Supply Availability

Lead Time Cost Comparison # (Cap cost/# days +daily cost)/ML n

= Urban Area Measures

$’000 $/d $ Per Month ML/d ML Days Month 10 days 20 days 30 days

Demand Management $347 0.43 N/A 6** $80,902 $40,451 $26,967 Drought Management

Reduction of Leakage $235 0.06 N/A 3** $386,834 $193,417 $128,945

LGGS Groundwater Bore $70 0.12 N/A 3** $58,333 $29,167 $19,444 Moree

Emergency Response RO Plant $2,144 $90,000 1.6 Unlimited 6 $43,400 $73,400 $103,400

Demand Management $147 0.020 N/A 6** $723,703 $361,852 $241,234

Reduction of Leakage $54 0.002 N/A 3** $3,313,426 $1,656,713 $1,104,475 Drought Management

Water Carting to Reservoirs $590 0.08 $73,750 $147,500 $221,250 Boggabilla

Emergency Response RO Plant $107 $45,000 0.12 Unlimited 6 $23,933 $38,933 $53,933

Demand Management $150 10.800 N/A 6** $1,387 $694 $462

Reduction of Leakage $34 1.100 N/A 3** $3,125 $1,563 $1,042 Drought Management

Water Carting to Reservoirs $6,730 0.12 $539,619 $1,079,238 $1,618,856 Mungindi


Demand Management $139 3.800 N/A 6** $3,670 $1,835 $1,223 Drought Management

Reduction of Leakage $33 0.500 N/A 3** $6,648 $3,324 $2,216 Pallamallawa Emergency Response RO Plant $1,501 $45,001 1.12 Unlimited 6 $28,400 $43,401 $58,401

Demand Management* $23 0.02 N/A 6** $2,320 $1,160 $773


Water Carting to Reservoirs $2,860 0.05 $541,027 $1,082,055 $1,623,082 Boomi


Demand Management* $27 0.02 N/A 6** $2,670 $1,335 $890

Reduction of Leakage $30 0.001 N/A 3** $4,500 $2,250 $1,500

GAB 303 50 1 N/A N/A N/A Drought Management

Water Carting to Reservoirs $1,660 0.01 $2,162,424 $4,324,849 $6,487,273

Garah


Demand Management* $17 0.02 N/A 6** $3,730 $1,865 $1,243


Water Carting to Reservoirs $460 0.01 $599,226 $1,198,452 $1,797,678 Gurley


Demand Management* $18 0.02 N/A 6** $1,840 $920 $613


Water Carting to Reservoirs $1,960 0.03 $672,421 $1,344,841 $2,017,262 Weemelah

Emergency Response RO Plant $39 $45,003 3.12 Unlimited 6 $15,126 $30,127 $45,128 # There would be continuing benefit from the installation of water efficient appliances. There would be benefit for some years for repairs of leaks. It is necessary to periodically repeat this exercise to maintain low leakage rates. Desalination as an emergency response measure would

be beneficial if it could be incorporated into a long-term augmentation program.

* Details demand management plant require

** At the onset of drought, if not already implemented as a preventative measure in MPSC’s water management practice.


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Table 4-7 shows the social, environmental and risk factors associated with each measure.

Table 4-7 Emergency Measure Social, Environmental and Risk Factors

Emergency Measure Social Factors Environmental

Factors Risk Factors Action to Manage Risk

Demand Management*

Severe restrictions on

normal household water use

Reduces extraction from LGGS, Barwon River,

Macintyre River, Gil Gil Ck and any additional

sources tapped

A significant proportion of households do not

follow guidelines

Implement a comprehensive

communication and (if necessary) enforcement

program

Reduction of Leakage

Reduces extraction from LGGS, Barwon River,

Macintyre River, Gil Gil Ck and any additional

sources tapped

It may not be possible to locate and repair leaks. It may not possible to achieve desired targets in Leakage reduction.

Carry out reservoir drop tests at early date to quantify leakage by

reservoir zone

Water Carting to Reservoirs Increased traffic

Neighboring council might not co-operate-specially for Boggabilla

Involve agencies at early stage of negotiations

Brine disposal Foreign exchange rate fluctuations

Involve agencies at early stage

Energy availability Local availability of expertise to operate

plant

Need to link to long term supply solution

Desalination Meet potable demand

Noise


Page 68


5 Preferred Emergency Strategy It is suggested that demand management and leakage reduction process be put into practice immediately as preventative measures as part of MPSC water management practice. These measures would assist MPSC’s ability to deal with drought situations with greater flexibility and awareness. The implementation of these measures would exhibit best management practice and in the event of drought, it is expected that drought assistance would be well supported and readily available.

The source of water for cartage would depend on the state of regional streams and supply systems of neighbouring councils especially for Boggabilla. It is recommended that when RWTs fail to supply potable water in these towns, which they cart the potable water from Moree. Water carting options would remain until Moree reaches Level Six restrictions.

The most cost effective response measure for Garah is to extract GAB water and blend it with Gil Gil Ck with 50:50 basis. This would maximise water quality and minimise operational treatment costs as much as possible. In critical drought conditions the basic strategy must be to conserve storage and harvest run of Gil Gil Ck flow when ever possible.

The drought management measures presented in Section 4 can be used to assemble alternate strategies for MPSC’s consideration. In the extreme unlikely event that the drought has not broken in the time taken for the SWL to drop 2.5 m in LGGS, it would be necessary to significantly reduce consumption to 100 L/p/d and stop carting from Moree to other towns. This would involve a major communication program with consumers including strong encouragement of all householders to install water efficient appliances and significantly cut back on all household water use. All industrial/commercial and tourist businesses would be required to produce and strictly follow the approved water management plans.

In taking into account the social and environmental impact of the option available, MPSC and government agencies should keep in mind that the probability of having to activate any emergency option is low and if this were necessary it would be hight probable that the duration of application would be short if past rainfall and streamflows patterns were to repeat in the future. It would be possible to quantify there probabilities with more detailed analyses.


Page 69


6 Conclusions A drought management process, including a drought management strategy and emergency response strategy (ERS), has been prepared for NSC. This Drought Management Plan (DMP) has:

Examined the long term climate, streamflows trends in the MPSC and how they compare to drought situations;

Outlined a drought management process for the integration of triggers, restrictions and required actions;

Listed a number of possible drought management opportunities including both demand and supply-side measures and developed a drought management strategy;

Recommended that demand management and leakage reduction measure be implemented immediately as preventative measure as part of MPSC water management practice.

Provided a Drought Emergency Response Strategy (DERS) so as to guide MPSC how best to manage their assets and responses in times of extreme drought conditions.

More specifically, this DMP has identified the requirement for:

Previous restriction level, duration frequency for individual towns;

Link to customer billing data base to GIS ;

Monitor SWL in Moree Borefield, especially in drought period;

Monitor weir level on Macintyre River at Boggabilla ;

Monitor weir level on Barwon River at Mungindi ;

Water carting details such as frequency, quantity, quality, etc ;

Keep up to date production data for all towns ;

Report Water quality issues especially in drought ;

MPSC is separately planning to improve the supply security of its water supply scheme in the long term.

Although this DMP outlines the drought management process, the drought management and emergency response measures, it is important that it be reviewed, at least on a 5 year cycle, to capture the change in the operating environment and at the beginning of a drought as the impact of every drought is likely to be different.


Page 70


References 1. ABS, 2001 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2001 Census

2. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Investigating Groundwater-River Interactions Using Environmental Tracers, Available on www.connectedwater.gov.au/documents/IAH05_EnvTracer.pdf

3. Commerce 2005, Toomelah/ Boggabilla Aboriginal Community, Fact Sheet Issue 14, October 2005.

4. Commerce 2006, Options Study Report for Biniguy Water Supply, Report No. DC05041, September 2006.

5. Commerce 2007, Moree Plains Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy- Final Concept Report, Report No. DC06089.

6. Commerce 2007, Options Study Report for Garah Water Supply, Report No. DC05040, August 2007.

7. Commerce 2007, MPSC - Demand Management Plan – Draft Report , October 2007

8. Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, 2008. Australian Jobsearch – Harvest Trail – Town Detail – Moree, http://jobsearch.gov.au/HarvestTrail/TownDetail.aspx?TownID=5&TextOnly=0, Accessed 10 January 2008

9. DEUS 2004. Best-Practice Management of Water Supply and SeweArage – Guidelines, May 2004.

10. DEUS 2006, Integrated Water Cycle Management, Demand Side Management Decision Support System – Simplified (Version S1.1) Manual, July 2006

11. DIPNR (Former) 2004. Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Regulated River Water Source (as amended on 1 July 2004).

12. NSW Health http://www3.health.nsw.gov.au/waterqual/samples/waterqual.cfm

13. MPSC 2005, Drought Management Plan 2005-2010

14. MPSC 2005, State of the Environmental Report 2004/2005.

15. Border River Catchment connectedwater.gov.au/documents/trial_catchments/Border_Rivers.pdf

16. Queensland Government, Water Management, http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/water/gab/

17. WELS Scheme, http://www.waterrating.gov.au/products/index.html


Page A-1


Appendix A System Maps* * Ref. 5


Page A-2


Appendix A figure 1: Moree Town Water Supply System


Page A-3


Appendix A figure 2: Boggabilla Water Supply Scheme


Page A-4


Appendix A figure 3: Boomi Water Supply System

Gil Gil Ck

Sedimentation Pond50 ML

Storage Lagoon50 ML

100 kL Service Reservoir

Cl2Sub-

Artesian Bore

Alum Dosing

Intake Pumps

Tow n Reticulation

20 L/sDavey Pump

Appendix A figure 4: Garah Water Supply Scheme


Page A-5


Appendix A figure 5: Gurley Water Supply System

Appendix A figure 6: Mungindi Water Supply System


Page A-6


Appendix A figure 7: Pallamallawa Water Supply Scheme

Appendix A figure 8: Weemelah Water Supply Scheme


Page B-7


Appendix B Water Restriction policy


Page B-1


Appendix B table 1: Water Restriction Policy


Page C-1


Appendix C Historical Demand Analysis


Page C-1


C.1 Customer Billing Database and GIS Table Extract Appendix C table 1 is an extract from the MPSC Customer Billing Database provided by MPSC on CD (file ref: water extract dept comm.xls) giving the following data fields: Assessment Number, Read Date, Meter Number and Meter Type, Previous Read Date and Previous Meter Read, Active Meter Read Date and Active Meter Read, Metered Consumption, Number of Days between Reads, Average Consumption, Rate Class and Rate Zone.

Appendix C table 1: Extract from Moree Plains Shire Council Customer Billing Database

bil_yer 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 bil_cde 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 bil_per 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

ass_num 7984 7990 2403 2793 2403 2403 74 1335 7480 sel_dte 28/02/2007 28/02/2007 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006

met_num 05X047771 06D010424 12952 032560 12952 12952 040060 036648 25080 met_typ 25M5 32M5 20M4 20M4 20M4 20M4 20M4 20M4 20M4 rea_typ 1 1 3 3 9 3 3 3 3 prv_dte 25/11/2006 7/12/2006 9/03/2007 1/03/2007 27/03/2007 9/03/2007 16/03/2007 16/03/2007 14/03/2007 prv_rea 0 0 4343 4737 434 4343 6267 3105 410 act_rea 771 0 434 4857 4343 4343 6268 3119 425 rea_dte 16/03/2007 16/03/2007 27/03/2007 27/03/2007 9/03/2007 27/03/2007 28/03/2007 28/03/2007 28/03/2007 met_con 771 0 6091 120 -6091 0 1 14 15 num_day 111 99 18 26 -18 18 12 12 14 avg_con 6.946 0 338.389 4.615 338.389 0 0.083 1.167 1.071 bil_unt 771 0 6091 120 -6091 0 1 14 15 bil_amt 501.15 12.5 3959.15 78 -3959.15 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 rte_cls R R R R R R R R R rte_zne MA MA MA MA MA rea_yer 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 eff_dte 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006 1/07/2006

Appendix C table 1 is an extract from the MPSC GIS Cadastral Layer provided by MPSC giving the following data fields: Object ID Number, CAD ID Number, Date Created, Date Modified, Controlling Authority ID Number, Plan ID Number, Plan Number, DP Label, Lot ID Number & Lot Number.


Page C-2


Appendix C table 2: Extract from Moree Plains Shire Council Geographic Information System Cadastre

OBJECTID 209153 412013 740461 593453 660653 469542 388882 1061761 740973 CADID 102599876 102604615 102390999 104374441 102586983 102601717 102609998 103680303 102396196

CREATEDATE 19970129 19930914 19930707 20010704 19940811 19930604 19930604 20010703 19931028 MODIFIEDDATE 19970129 19930914 19930707 20010704 19940811 19930604 19930604 20010703 19931028

CONTROLLINGAUTHORITYOID

DEPT OF LANDS

(CROWN) FREEHOLD FREEHOLD

DEPT OF LANDS

(CROWN)

DEPT OF LANDS

(CROWN) FREEHOLD FREEHOLD

DEPT OF LANDS

(CROWN) FREEHOLD

PLANOID 36529 75249 132331 144360 133653 75240 75267 234500 132358 PLANNUMBER 438933 806928 756029 1029692 758824 225139 750440 1029424 750437

PLANLABEL DP438933 DP806928 DP756029 DP1029692 DP758824 DP225139 DP750440 DP1029424 DP750437 ITSTITLESTATUS Undefined ITSTitle ITSTitle ITSTitle Undefined ITSTitle ITSTitle ITSTitle ITSTitle

ITSLOTID 0 2797696 3185777 3864720 0 1358307 2335090 3866691 2335051 STRATUMLEVEL Ground Ground Ground Ground Ground Ground Ground Ground Ground HASSTRATUM FALSE FALSE Undefined FALSE Undefined FALSE Undefined FALSE Undefined

CLASSSUBTYPE Standard Lot Standard Lot Standard Lot Standard Lot Standard Lot Standard Lot Standard Lot Standard Lot Standard Lot LOTNUMBER 1 3 114 7002 7 17 4 7044 12

SECTIONNUMBER 21 PLANLOTAREA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

PLANLOTAREAUNITS STARTDATE 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126 ENDDATE 30000101 30000101 30000101 30000101 30000101 30000101 30000101 30000101 30000101

LASTUPDATE 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126 20041126


Page C-3


C.2 Historical Production Data Appendix C table 3: Annual Extraction (ML)

Water Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Boggabilla (Potable) 91 85 74

Boggabilla (Non-Potable) 55 62 48

Boggabilla (Macintyre) 172 168 149 171 143

Boomi (GAB) 26 29 25 23 25

Garah Non-Potable (GAB+Gil Gil) 45 44 38 39 40

Gurley (GAB) 9.1 9.5 8.9 8.4 9

Moree - WS (LGGS) 2,521 3,022 3,151 3,079 2,534 3,109 2,631 2,692

Moree - Urban Irrigation (LGGS) 65 63 52 64 56

Moree - Spa (GAB) 414 404 498 247 360

Moree - Airport & Depot (LGGS) 13 13 7.1 16 11

Mungindi (Barwon) 274 267 239 254 238

Pallamallawa (LGGS) 82 86 70 73 70

Weemelah 31 16 16 19 20

TOTAL 2,532 3,022 3,344 3,263 3,616 3,709 2,963 2,692

C.3 Peak Day Demand Appendix C table 4: Peak day demand

Financial Year Moree Boggabilla

Clear Water Mungindi Pallamallawa

2002 0.88

2003 15.0 0.69

2004 0.39 1.57 0.93

2005 0.37 1.46 0.64


Page C-4


C.4 Average Monthly Production Appendix C table 5: Average Monthly Production

Boggabilla Garah Local Water

Utility

Average Monthly Production (ML)

Moree Potable Water

Non Potable Water

Mungindi Pallamallawa Boomi Gil Gil

Ck GAB Gurley Weemelah

January 316.7 8.0 9.0 29.3 10.4 2.5 6.1 0.9 0.8 2.1

February 273.4 7.1 6.8 25.0 8.8 2.9 6.1 0.9 1.1 2.1

March 261.2 7.8 5.7 23.2 7.4 3.5 3.7 0.0 0.8 2.6

April 221.6 6.8 6.1 19.7 6.1 2.1 3.1 0.0 0.8 1.3

May 197.9 6.4 3.6 15.5 4.9 1.7 2.4 0.4 0.7 1.4

June 175.6 6.4 2.7 13.1 4.3 1.6 1.9 0.2 0.6 1.4

July 184.8 6.5 2.0 11.2 3.9 1.0 1.7 0.2 0.6 0.6

August 225.6 6.9 2.6 13.2 4.2 1.0 1.8 0.8 0.6 1.1

September 260.9 7.1 3.8 18.9 4.8 1.3 1.9 0.2 0.6 1.5

October 192.8 7.5 4.0 21.7 6.5 3.0 2.1 0.4 0.7 2.0

November 216.7 7.7 5.6 22.9 6.5 1.9 2.7 0.4 0.8 2.1

December 297.6 8.4 4.4 25.5 7.5 2.1 3.7 0.7 1.0 2.1

Average monthly 235.4 7.2 4.7 19.9 6.3 2.0 3.1 0.4 0.7 1.7


Page C-5


C.5 Average Annual Production and Average Daily Production Appendix C table 6: Average Annual Production and Average Daily Production

Boggabilla Garah

Local Water Utility Moree Potable Water

Non Potable Water

Mungindi Pallamallawa Boomi Gil Gil

Ck GAB Gurley Weemelah

Average Annual Production 2,888 88 59 238 78 26 38 4 9 20

Average Daily Production 7.91 0.24 0.16 0.65 0.21 0.07 0.11 0.01 0.02 0.06


Page C-6


C.6 Average Annual Production, Extraction and Rainfall

C.6.1 Moree

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007Water Year

Ann

ual P

rodu

ctio

n (M

L/Ye

ar)

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

Ann

ual R

ainf

all (

mm

/Yea

r)

Annual Rainfall (mm) Moree -Production Water Year LT Mean (ML) Moving Average (ML) Extraction Limit

Appendix C figure 1: Average Annual Production, Extraction and rainfall detail for MTWS


Page C-7


0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450


Mon

thly

Pro

duct

ion

(ML/

Mon

th)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Mon

thly

Rai

nfal

l (m

m/M

onth

)

Average Monthly Production - Moree Maximum Production - 2002 Year

Average Monthly Rainfall Monthly Rainfall in Maximum Production 2002 Year

Appendix C figure 2: Average Monthly Production and Maximum Production Year with Average Monthly Rainfall and Monthly Rainfall in Maximum Production Year


Page C-8


C.6.2 Boggabilla, Mungindi and Pallamallawa

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

1 2 3 4

Ann

ual R

ainf

all (

mm

)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Ann

ual P

rodu

ctio

n (M

L)

Rainfall - Boggabilla Rainfall - Mungindi Rainfall - PallamallawaProduction - Potable WaterBoggabilla Production - Mungindi Production - PallamallawaExtraction Limit - Boggabilla Extraction Limit - Mungindi Extraction Limit - Pallamallawa

Appendix C figure 3: Average Annual Production, Extraction and rainfall detail for BWS, MWS, PWS


Page D-1


Appendix D Streamflow data


Page D-2


D.1 Moree

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Apr-01 Jul-01 Oct-01 Jan-02 Apr-02 Jul-02 Oct-02 Jan-03 Apr-03 Jul-03 Oct-03 Jan-04 Apr-04 Jul-04 Sep-04 Dec-04 Mar-05

Date

Stre

am F

low

(ML/

d)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Prod

uctio

n (M

L/d)

MEHI RIVER @ MOREE - 418002 Daily Production - Moree

Appendix D figure 1: Minimum Stream Flow @ 418002 and Daily Production at Moree


Page D-3


D.2 Boggabilla

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

501/

01/2

003

1/03

/200

3

1/05

/200

3

1/07

/200

3

1/09

/200

3

1/11

/200

3

1/01

/200

4

1/03

/200

4

1/05

/200

4

1/07

/200

4

1/09

/200

4

1/11

/200

4

1/01

/200

5

1/03

/200

5

1/05

/200

5

1/07

/200

5

1/09

/200

5

1/11

/200

5

1/01

/200

6

1/03

/200

6

1/05

/200

6

1/07

/200

6

1/09

/200

6

1/11

/200

6

Date

Stre

am F

low

(ML/

d)

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

Raw

Wat

er P

rodu

ctio

n (M

L/d)

Streamflow @ 461002 Raw Water Production - Boggabilla

Appendix D figure 2: Minimum Stream Flow @ 461002 and Daily Raw Production at Boggabilla


Page D-4


D.3 Mungindi

2005 Year

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Dec-02 Mar-03 Jun-03 Sep-03 Dec-03 Mar-04 Jun-04 Aug-04 Nov-04 Feb-05 May-05 Aug-05 Nov-05 Feb-06 May-06 Aug-06

Date

Dai

ly S

trea

m F

low

(ML/

d)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

Raw

Wat

er P

rodu

ctio

n (M

L/d)

Stream Flow @ 416001 Daily Production - Mungindi

Appendix D figure 3: Minimum Stream Flow @ 461001 and Daily Raw Production at Mungindi


Page D-5


D.4 Pallamallawa

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1-Sep-02 20-Mar-03 6-Oct-03 23-Apr-04 9-Nov-04 28-May-05 14-Dec-05 2-Jul-06

Date

Dis

char

ge (M

L/d)

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Dai

ly P

rodu

ctio

n (M

L/d)

Gwydir River at Pallamallawa @ 418001 Daily Production - Pallamallawa

Appendix D figure 4: Minimum Stream Flow @ 418001 and Daily Raw Production at Pallamallawa


Page D-6


D.5 Garah

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

28-Oct-95 11-Mar-97 24-Jul-98 6-Dec-99 19-Apr-01 1-Sep-02 14-Jan-04 28-May-05 10-Oct-06 22-Feb-08 6-Jul-09

Date

Estim

ated

Str

eam

Flo

w @

Gil

Gil

Ck

at G

arah

(ML/

d)

Estimated Flow at Garah On Gil Gil Ck

Appendix D figure 5: Estimated Daily stream Flow of Gil Gil Ck at Garah


Page D-7


D.6 Weemelah

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,0001/

07/1

979

1/07

/198

0

1/07

/198

1

1/07

/198

2

1/07

/198

3

1/07

/198

4

1/07

/198

5

1/07

/198

6

1/07

/198

7

1/07

/198

8

1/07

/198

9

1/07

/199

0

1/07

/199

1

1/07

/199

2

1/07

/199

3

1/07

/199

4

1/07

/199

5

1/07

/199

6

1/07

/199

7

1/07

/199

8

1/07

/199

9

1/07

/200

0

1/07

/200

1

1/07

/200

2

1/07

/200

3

1/07

/200

4

1/07

/200

5

1/07

/200

6

1/07

/200

7

Date

Dis

char

ge (M

L/d)

GIL GIL @ WEEMELAH

Appendix D figure 6: Daily Stream flow of Gil Gil Ck at Weemelah


Page E-1


Appendix E Drounght Management and Emergency Measure load times


Page E-2


Appendix E table E-1: Moree Plains Shire Council Summarised Drought Management Programs


Page F-1


Appendix F Draft DWE Drought Management Plan Guidelines compliance


Page F-2


Appendix F table F-1: Draft DWE Drought Management Plan Guidelines compliance

Item Compliance Comments N/A Y N A) Data 1. Identification of:

a) Communities with Local Water Utility services.

Ashley and Biniguy’s local water utilities have not identified due to lack of information.

b) Communities with private water services (i.e. Aboriginal Communities)

c) Communities with no water services that may seek Local Water Utility assistance.

It is not a part of proposal.

d) Properties (eg. Farms) that may seek Local Water Utility water.

It is not a part of proposal.

2. Identification of requirements and current water supply status for all communities and properties identified in 1.

3. Normal and minimum potable water requirements for all schemes identified in 1. Show as a graph, as figures will vary throughout the year.

Not Up to data have been provided.

4. Normal and minimum raw (non-potable) water requirements for all schemes identified in 1. Show as a graph as figures will vary throughout the year.

Monthly data available for Boomi, Garah, Gurley and Weemelah

5. Identification of water dependant industry / businesses associated with the schemes identified in 1.

Top water users have not been identified

6. Identify any fire fighting requirements.

Standard design values assumed.

7. Identify opportunities for recycled water use.

8. A map of communities and properties referred to in 1.

9. A description of all water supply schemes referred to in 1. (Including schematic diagrams).


Page F-3


10. Storage volumes and surface areas for dams and weirs. “Height/Storage Volume” and “Height/Surface Area” curves should be included.

Storage and Height data for Boggabilla weir and Mungindi Weir data have not received.

Garah Lagoon and Weemelah storage data not received

SWL data not received for LGGS.

Hydrogeological modelling required. 11. Historical performance of rivers/dams/weirs/bores in previous droughts.

Show graphically and compare to current drought.

Restriction details have not provided.

12. Average annual rainfall / forecasting. Show on a graph.

No forecasting undertaken.

13. Evaporation rates. Show on a graph.

Fore Moree only

B) Planning

14. Level of prediction and intervention i.e. Trigger points.

Level of Prediction and intervention identified base on available source for individual town’s situation.

15. Restriction strategy and policies for special demand management and other management options.

16. Enforcement of restrictions i.e. Identification of legislative instruments and methods for enforcement.

17. Impact of imposing restrictions on demands, river flows, volumes of stored water, water tables, etc. Show graphically.

18. Impact of extraction on downstream stakeholders. Local Water Utility to work in partnership with downstream users and communities. (Water Sharing Committees, Water Management Committees, State Water, Irrigators, etc.)

19. Impact of reduced flows in watercourses. Local Water Utility to work in partnership with upstream and downstream users and communities. (Water Sharing Committees, Water Management Committees, State Water, Irrigators,


Page F-4


etc) 20. Availability of alternative water sources such as bores, private supplies,

farm bores and other Local Water Utility schemes.

21. Issues relating to cartage to remote locations such as mining areas.

22. Identify Legislation, Local Laws and Council Policies that might impact on the contingency arrangements, particularly DIPNR and Fisheries.

23. Identify human resource requirements.

24. Identify costs of options.

25. Prepare a media strategy. This should cover television, radio and newspapers. It should also give consideration to signage on roads leading to areas where restrictions are in place, at railway stations and airports.

Not part of brief. The essential elements of a communication strategy were included.

26. Establish a list of appropriate contact persons.

C) Monitoring

27. Monitoring demands.

Some towns require daily monitoring demands for potable as well non potable

28. Monitoring flow in streams.

29. Monitoring water level in bores and dams.

Telemetry has been installed recently.

30. Monitoring the EC, Alkalinity and Algae levels in the water sources. Seek technical advice on treatment necessary. Identify contacts and document.

To be undertaken by MPSC

D) Consultation 31. Public consultation (Need to address the social and economic impacts.

Need to address the effectiveness of restrictions, etc) To be undertaken by MPSC


Page F-5


32. Consultation with appropriate NSW Government Agencies (DIPNR, EPA, Health, etc).


E) Review 33. Throughout and at the end of the drought, the local water utility should

record significant events as they occur and ensure that they are available for the next drought.



Page G-1


Appendix G Drought Relief for Country Towns


Page G-2



Page G-3



Page G-4



Page G-5


Moree Plains Shire Council Water Supply Schemes Drought ...

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