The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has reminded landholders to lodge a Notice of Intent to Pump Water (Desalination) with the Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation if they intend to install a desalination plant on their property.
The Commissioner, Cec McConnell (pictured) said there had been significant interest in desalination to produce water suitable for livestock, crop spraying, horticulture irrigation and domestic use and to build self-sufficient, secure water supplies.
“A notice is required at least 90 days before pumping commences to comply with Soil and Land Conservation Regulations (1992) to ensure land degradation does not occur as a result of the disposal of saline reject water,” Ms McConnell said.
“Officers from the Department will work with landholders to help them comply with requirements.”
She said commercial desalination plants varied in operation, but all produced product water that was low in salt concentration and reject water which had a high salt concentration.
“It is important that when the reject water is discharged, whether it be onto other land, into waterways or waterbodies or re-injected into groundwater, it does not cause damage to the environment, or negatively affect downstream neighbours,” Ms McConnell said.
“The Notice of Intent process includes a visit from one of our officers who works with the landholder and provides advice on water disposal to avoid land degradation or impacting surrounding properties and crops,” she said.
