Background
The Tasmanian township of Pioneer, once a bustling mining hub, faced a significant public health crisis when lead was discovered in its drinking water. Pioneer, located 120 km northwest of Launceston, had a rich history in mining, with its tin mine established in the late 1800s. The town even built its own dam and power station to support mining operations. Pioneer was the hometown of Joseph Lyons, a local schoolteacher who later became Australia’s 10th Prime Minister.
Today, with a modest population of 89, the community’s untreated water supply had already warranted a Boil Water Alert (BWA) as it did not meet the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). The situation escalated when TasWater identified high levels of lead contamination in drinking water, leading to an upgraded Do Not Consume (DNC) Public Health Alert.
Objectives
The primary objectives of this project were to:
- Provide the township of Pioneer with a safe and lead-free drinking water supply.
- Ensure compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG), specifically reducing lead concentration below 10 micrograms per litre.
- Deliver the project within the allocated budget.
Challenges
Several challenges were identified in addressing the lead contamination in drinking water in Pioneer:
- The township had a lead concentration of 14.5 micrograms per litre, exceeding the ADWG limit.
- Potential contamination sources included sediment in the Pioneer Dam, town distribution system pipes, and local plumbing in individual buildings.
- The high cost of a centralized water treatment system, which exceeded the budget.
Solution
To tackle the lead contamination problem, a rainwater reuse system was deemed the most viable solution for Pioneer. This method offered an efficient and cost-effective alternative to using mains water. Given the budget constraints, TasWater launched the Service Replacement Program, the first of its kind in Tasmania. The program provided and installed individual rainwater tanks, pumps, and additional on-property works. It also included firefighting tanks for each property and retained an irrigation supply.
Our team designed small and robust individual rainwater reuse systems for each resident. These systems featured a pressure pump with a press controller and dual water filtration components, all mounted in a pre-packaged enclosure. This approach ensured the project stayed within budget while delivering safe drinking water to Pioneer residents.
Outcome
The implementation of the rainwater reuse system successfully provided Pioneer with lead-free potable water. Each household received a tailored solution that met their specific needs, ensuring compliance with the ADWG. The project not only improved the community’s health and safety but also stayed within the budget, showcasing an innovative and cost-effective approach to solving water contamination issues.
In Summary
The Pioneer township project transformed a public health crisis into a success story by delivering safe drinking water through innovative rainwater reuse systems. Despite budget constraints and multiple contamination sources, the tailored solutions ensured the community’s well-being.
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Southland Filtration is a leading Australian provider of commercial water filtration solutions. We’ve been helping businesses since 1995 with a focus on quality, custom solutions, and reliable service. We work with businesses and organisations in Australia and New Zealand to address their unique water challenges and maintain the highest standards.