About

Major Centres - Cowes

Major Industries - Tourism

Area Map

 

About Westernport Water

The function of Westernport Water is to provide water, wastewater and gas services wherever economically, environmentally and socially practicable to properties and communities throughout its district. The Corporation services approximately 15,646 properties on Phillip Island and an area of the mainland from The Gurdies to Archies Creek.

Water is sourced from the Candowie Reservoir in the Bass Hills near Glen Forbes with the reservoir outlet water treated at the Ian Bartlett Water Purification Plant. The treated water is then distributed to communities through a single major supply line with a number of smaller off takes servicing each of the residential communities within the Corporation's district.

Wastewater services are provided to approximately 95% of properties that receive water. The Corporation has two Wastewater Treatment Plants, the principal plant (Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant) located centrally on Phillip Island and servicing the Island and the township of San Remo, and a second plant near Coronet Bay (King Road Wastewater Treatment Plant) which services various townships located on the east coast of Western Port.

In addition, the Corporation provides the following services:

WATER

 

Water sources

Westernport Water has one water supply system.   Raw water from Tennant Creek is stored in Candowie Reservoir, treated at the Ian Bartlett Water Purification Plant and distributed across our water district.

Water treatment processes employed

The treatment process consists of chemical coagulation, flocculation, dissolved air flotation, clarification and rapid sand filtration. Powdered Activated Carbon is used to filter out taste and odour causing compounds. Disinfection is by a mixture of Chlorine Gas and hypochlorite solution.

 

Water quality

Click here for the consumer guide to accompany the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004

Before treatment, the raw water is high in nutrients and organics, periodically high in manganese and iron. Raw water quality is typical of water that is sourced from an unprotected catchment. Following treatment the potable water complies with the Australian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines. The Corporation has (over the past 5 years) consistently achieved 100% compliance with respect to E-coli.

 

Water availability

The high growth in the region, coupled with poor rainfall in recent years has brought forward the Corporation's decision about its medium to long term water supply options.   The current alternatives being explored by the Corporation are: connection to the Melbourne Water system, raising the existing dam wall at Candowie Reservoir and continuing to use Candowie Reservoir in conjunction with groundwater and the Bass River which is the current strategy since the drought

 

Water charges

Water charges are in the form of a two-part tariff comprising an annual service charge and a volume charge. The annual service charge increases with the size of the tapping. All serviced properties are liable for the annual service charge, whether connected or not. 

 

WASTEWATER  

 

Potential available treatment and disposal capacity

Westernport Water operates two wastewater treatment plants - Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant on Phillip Island and the King Road Wastewater Treatment Plant at Coronet Bay.   Both accept domestic waste only.   The Cowes Plant can treat up to 8.5 ML per day and the King Road Plant can treat up to 0.35ML per day.

 

Level of treatment employed

The Cowes Plant treats wastewater to a secondary treatment level using a biological activated sludge treatment process for ocean discharge - Class C bordering on Class B.   The reclaimed water used in reuse programs undergoes tertiary treatment (NO coagulation and sand filtration and chlorination) to Class B.   The Corporation is in the process of having this classification reviewed with the aim of achieving Class A.  

The King Road Plant treats wastewater to a secondary standard using an intermittent decant extended aeration (IDEA) process and 100% of the Class C, bordering on class B product is used in beneficial land based disposal systems. King Road produces Class B

 

Wastewater charges

Wastewater charges are levied as a stepped annual service charge. There is no volume charge component. All serviced properties are liable for an annual service charge, whether connected or not. Properties with more than two cisterns are levied a cistern charge for each additional cistern.

 

Trade waste agreements

The Corporation has engaged a private contractor to collect and dispose of minor commercial greasy trade waste.

 

Gas

Stage One of the Gas reticulation is complete and Westernport Water is now supplying gas to the new Bass coast golf course in Shetland heights road San Remo. Stage Two will commence in May 2007 and will supply Gas to the new Silverwater complex on the corner of Phillip Island tourist road and Potters Hill road San Remo.   

 

Contact Details  

Contact Person: Communications Officer
Postal Address: 2 Boys Home Road , Newhaven Victoria 3925
Phone: 61 3 5956 4178
Fax: 61 3 5956 4101

Prepared March 2007