Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left, and Inverell Shire Deputy Mayor Anthony Michael in front of the Ashford Water Treatment Plant, which will undergo a $132,600 upgrade, thanks to the State Government.
Monday, 14 December 2020
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today thrown a ‘financial lifebuoy’ to Inverell Shire Council, announcing the State Government would provide $132,600 for upgrades to Ashford’s water treatment plant and improve the community’s potable water supply.
Mr Marshall said water quality in Ashford had been an issue since the drought.
“This project will provide long-term security of safe drinking water for the Ashford’s 570 residents and ensure the Water Treatment Plant meets population’s needs,” Mr Marshall said.
“During 2019, localised storms in the Severn Catchment caused a sharp decline in water quality in the Severn River, which acts as Ashford’s town water supply.
“As a result, Council was required to install emergency water treatment equipment to address increased manganese levels which were above Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
“In order to ensure Ashford has the highest quality water for consumption and domestic use long-term, Council and NSW Water have come up with a plan to upgrade the water treatment plant on Beaumont Road.
“A total of $221,000 will be spent installing a permanent automatic system for treatment of raw water when manganese levels exceed Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
“The State Government will provide 60 percent of the overall cost and I commend Inverell Shire Council, which will contribute $89,600 to the scheme.
“Council plans to engage local contractors for certain section of the project, with work to commence in April 2021 and be completed by October next year.”
Mr Marshall said the prolonged drought had highlighted shortcomings in many local water supplies and now was the time, with the positive seasonal conditions, to work towards addressing those issues.
“While many communities in the Northern Tablelands came very close to running out of water in 2019, thankfully none of them did,” he said.
“With many local water storages now back to serviceable levels I urge councils and to continue working with the State Government on investigating ways to improve long-term water security for residents.”