Sustainable water practices, a top priority for Tarong power stations
14 January 2020
As we head into the New Year, communities
across Queensland grapple with the effects of long-term drought conditions. The
adverse impacts the state’s persistent dry weather and drought is having on our
communities, particularly in the South Burnett, is front of mind for our
business.
Water is an essential requirement for thermal
electricity generation, as the water is used for cooling and steam production
at the power station. The Tarong power stations have access to two sources of
water:
- a high priority allocation from Lake Boondooma which is the primary
source of water for the station; and
- an allocation from Lake Wivenhoe, or the Western Corridor Recycled Water
Scheme.
Stanwell is mindful of the current and future
impacts of the drought on the South Burnett community, and is focused on how we
can help to mitigate these impacts with respect to the Tarong power stations’
operations. We are doing this by:
- Lake Boondooma provides a source of drinking water to the town
of Kingaroy and also supplies a number of medium priority users, primarily
irrigators, along the Boyne River. In order to ease the pressure on this
resource, Stanwell has initiated a strategy to reduce usage from Lake Boondooma
for 2019/20. This will ensure that the South Burnett Regional Council continues
to have access to drinking water.
- In recent years, we have evolved our operations to ensure
sustainable water management activities are carried out at all operational
sites, by implementing various water conservation initiatives. Such initiatives
include recycling effluent water and stormwater, as well as reusing water from
the ash dam. Stanwell’s decision-making regarding water takes a balanced
approach, taking consideration of the needs and priorities of other users and
the community, our operations and National Electricity Market conditions.
- Stanwell personnel regularly meet with the Meandu Barker Creek
Water Advisory Committee which includes downstream users and irrigators, to understand their priorities and discuss
Stanwell’s long-term water strategy.
- We are currently working with Seqwater to develop a strategy to
ensure Tarong power stations can use purified recycled water once (and if) the
Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme is re-commissioned.
We are also investigating further
water saving initiatives, and will continue to engage with the Queensland
Government, local communities and other users to ensure responsible and
sustainable use of water resources.
To learn more about our water practices at Tarong power stations click here.
Header image by Denise Keelan
Media Enquiries
1800 531 877
media@stanwell.com
