Namoi Unlimited Joint Organisation to look into use of waste water

The $285,000 grant, from round one of the Increasing Resilience to Climate Change program, will be used to investigate and test the use of waste water on gravel roads across the five local government areas.

With the drought still continuing, the aim for the investigation is to find more sustainable practices and determine the potential use of this water, as there will potentially be less water available in the future.

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Namoi Unlimited chairperson Jamie Chaffey welcomed the funding and said "with much of the region battling intense drought it's important councils consider how community water is used".

"We think that with a bit of research and some leadership we can develop a better use for waste water, in circumstances where the health and environmental risks can be identified and mitigated," Cr Chaffey said.

"This funding will enable us to investigate uses of wastewater on gravel roads and potentially trial a solution with one of our members, which could lead better use of this type of water and more sustainable and efficient practices for councils moving forward."

Namoi Unlimited member councils will engage with their local communities about acceptable uses of waste water, and develop regional collaboration in water and roads functions.

One of the member councils will also run a pilot program to trial and test applications and technologies to measure waste water treatment and responses.

"Our communities deserve roads that are safe and well cared for even in times where water is scarce, and our wider communities should have confidence that their councils are committed to identifying all types of solutions for water use efficiency and water security," Cr Chaffey said.

Namoi Unlimited will release its Water for the Future report in early July, and will include a number of recommendations around; local utilities and their functions, regulation and policy, as well as functions to plan and prioritise water infrastructure.

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