The multi-million dollar Parkes Recycled Water Scheme will be turned on this summer, with work crews about to embark on making the final connections.
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With the Advanced Water Recycling Facility up and running, the purpose-built Recycled Water Rising Main now completed, and recycled water already irrigating the Parkes Golf Club, Parkes Jockey Club, Armstrong Park and the Town Entry Garden - the final step is to connect the remaining, what has been described as, end-users to the scheme.
FB Contracting have been commissioned for the project, which will connect the recycled water pipeline to the existing irrigation systems at parks and sporting fields around Parkes.
Parkes Shire Council said FB Contracting will establish their site office near the new Water Treatment Plant off Webb Street, although the active worksites will be in the sporting fields and parks.
The connections are being undertaken by two separate work crews, which will be simultaneously connecting different parks to the scheme, ensuring Parkes can make the switch to recycled water as soon as possible.
According to council, the works will be minor and relatively low-impact, and are not expected to have direct impacts on properties or traffic.
Each site will take about seven days to connect, with a further 14 days allowed for commissioning activities.
The parks and fields will be accessible during these works.
The first locations to be connected will be Lions Memorial Park and Davey Park, with work scheduled to commence on Monday, November 4. The works will progress to remaining parks, with an anticipated completion date of Friday, December 20.
"This project has been in the pipeline for years, but with the ongoing drought the new Recycled Water Scheme couldn't come at a better time for the town," Mayor of Parkes, Cr Ken Keith OAM, said.
"Council is proactive in delivering infrastructure that safeguards our water security, and we are very grateful for the generous contribution the Australian Government has made towards this vital investment.
"Although the new Recycled Water Scheme is not available for residential use, it will ease pressure on our town water supplies when demand is at its peak.
"It certainly is going to make a great Christmas present for Parkes."
The $20.9m Recycled Water Scheme is jointly funded through the Australian Government and Parkes Shire Council.
For more information on current water restrictions, or for tips on how to save water around your home, please visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au
