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One of the schemes Council

implemented was the construction of

a series of wetlands which provided

a cascade of ponds near residential

areas. Cycleways were built around the

project which provided for a natural way

to cleanse the stormwater before it is

pumped into the water supply system.

While the technology for the project is

simple it has been implemented in a

unique way and has served to greatly

improve the aesthetics of the area.

The project has been extremely well

received by residents and is recognised

across Australia as ground-breaking. It

has played amajor role in alleviating the

water shortage and converting Orange,

which had become water-deficient, to a

citywhichhasanadequatewater supply.

Describing the steps that Council

took, Chris Devitt says, “We realised

that relying on just one source of

supply was not enough for the future

so we developed four separate points

of supply which can give us more

capacity and security. What we have

done is we have used the existing

infrastructure in a much smarter way

by having four ways to fill the dam

instead of only one way which is just

by nature. We have been able to adapt

existing infrastructure and just use

it a whole lot smarter and we have

saved a packet of money as well.”

ouncil

Chris Devitt, Technical Services

Director of the Council explained that

the availability of water was a major

concern for the city a few years back

when the rains failed. The city’s water

stock fell to 23% and was sufficient only

for 9 months. At that time Orange City

Council adopted a number of strategies

to overcome the water shortage.