The $34.6 million Nabiac Inland Dune Aquifer Water Supply System project will ultimately deliver a second water source to the region and support the Manning scheme, which supplies 36,000 customers in the area from Crowdy Head in the north to Tarbuck Bay in the south.

The connection of a second water source for this large area will provide security of supply in the event of extended dry weather and backup in the event of equipment malfunction.

“When operational the Nabiac system will allow us to reduce the volume of water we extract from the Manning River during times of low flow, which will be an important environmental outcome for our communities, ” MidCoast Water’s general manager, Ken Gouldthorp explained.

The project is supported by an Australian Government allocation of $9.43 million under the National Stronger Regions Fund.

The project has three main components, the establishment of an extensive bore network (which has already been completed), a water treatment plant approximately five kilometres south-east of the Nabiac township, and a pumping station at Darawank, next to the Lakes Way.

The Darawank site is the location a major pumping station where water from the new supply will be integrated into the existing Manning scheme infrastructure.

The construction of the new water treatment plant is expected to be put out to tender in the coming weeks and the new system is due to be commissioned by the end of 2018.

Members of the community will be able to learn more about the project through a video clip now available on MidCoast Water’s website at www.midcoastwater.com.au/nabiacwtp . The five minute clip, also available on MidCoast Water’s Youtube channel, explains how water will be drawn from the aquifer, treated and then connect into the current water supply infrastructure.