Deputy Premier Toasts Purified Recycled Water Project

The Deputy Premier, Paul Lucas, today toasted the completion of Stage 2A of the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project with a glass of sparkling purified recycled water.

The Deputy Premier was inspecting the Luggage Point Advanced Water Treatment Plant which, along with the Gibson Island Advanced Water Treatment Plant, has begun supplying purified recycled water to Tarong Power Station.

Mr Lucas said the two treatment plants had begun producing purified water ahead of the legislated deadline.

“They said we’d never build this project on time but they were wrong,” Mr Lucas said.

“We’ve brought the Luggage Point and Gibson Island advanced water treatment plants on line and added another 116 megalitres of capacity to the Western Corridor system, providing a safe, secure, climate-resilient and environmentally responsible new source of water.

“This project can now produce 141 million litres of water a day even under drought conditions, which is enough for more than 800,000 people.

“Already we’ve supplied more than 8.5 billion litres of purified recycled water to the power stations, reducing demand on our precious drinking water supplies.

“We now have a total capacity of 182 megalitres a day and this will rise to 232 megalitres when the Gibson Island upgrade comes on line at the end of the year.

“Early next year, after the rigorous testing program is complete and the safety of purified recycled water has been proven beyond any doubt, we will be pumping from our three advanced water treatment plants to Wivenhoe dam.”

Mr Lucas said the people of south east Queensland had the opportunity to see the Luggage Point Advanced Water Treatment Plant in action at today’s community open day.

“It’s great that the people of south east Queensland can come to Luggage Point today to see the technology that’s put Queensland on the cutting edge of water efficiency and environmental responsibility,” Mr Lucas said.

“The Western Corridor Recycled Water Project has already received four international awards – it’s something all Queenslanders can be proud of.”

“Hats off to the tireless workers who have clocked up more than six million hours to bring the project in on time, on budget and without compromising on safety.”

Media contact: Matthew Klar 0437 435 223