Licence to take water

Elizabeth Lillis
SOUTH East Water has confirmed it holds a licence to extract water from the Lang Lang bore.
The water supplier said it was investigating the possibility of providing its customers with alternative sources of water in an effort to minimise the impact of water restrictions.
A number of options are under consideration including the supply and tankering of Class A recycled water, as well as the extraction of water from South East Water’s bore in Lang Lang.
In last week’s Gazette Cardinia mayor Kate Lempriere and Port Ward Cr Doug Hamilton expressed concern about the possibility of water from the Lang Lang bore being moved to other areas of the state when the local community, particularly the farming community, was experiencing drought conditions.
South East Water has a licence to extract up to 99 megalitres of water per annum from Lang Lang.
The supplier confirmed a feasibility study to open the Lang Lang bore was in progress.
The bore water is not suitable as drinking water but is a resource for industry, to green sporting fields and other recreational areas, as well as preserving trees and public gardens.
The bore water is safe for livestock to drink.
South East Water managing director Dennis Cavagna said there was increasing demand for alternate water supplies particularly from schools, councils and sporting clubs looking to preserve recreational amenities.
“We are currently in consultation with Cardinia Shire Council on the provision of water from our bore designed to provide customers with greater choice,” said Mr Cavagna.
The supplier already has recycled water customers on pipe networks for both Class A and Class C water, and is now looking to provide tankering services to interested customers where recycled water infrastructure is not available.
“We are making Class C recycled water available to an increasing number of customers through tankering services from treatment plants at Mt Martha, Pakenham and Carrum,” Mr Cavagna said.
“To increase access to this important resource we are now planning to expand the number of high flow standpipes.
“In addition, we have also had strong interest from customers including businesses in the Cardinia area, in tankering bore water and Class A recycled water,” he said.
South East Water said it was too early in the process to confirm which customers would be given priority access to water from the Lang Lang bore but indicated if the bore was reopened there would be adequate supply for those interested in accessing the source.
South East Water advised organisations, business, industry and farmers in Cardinia and surrounding districts interested in accessing recycled or bore water to contact it on 9552 3116.