October 1, 2009
New tests on Tamworth Regional Council’s emergency groundwater bores at Barraba will begin next week.
The tests will determine the rates of water that can be delivered from the two bores and the recovery rates, quality and any impact on other bores and properties.
Water Enterprises director Bruce Logan says pumping tests will start from next Tuesday and the Department of Water and Energy has given TRC the go-ahead to run the trial until June next year to help assist in determining the sustainability of ground water supplies at Barraba.
The tests involve the bores in James Street Barraba and if the trial concludes the wells are sustainable, then TRC may decide to seek a permanent supplementary license for them.
Test drilling two years ago led to the establishment of the bores which have been licensed for emergency use after town water supplies drop to Level 4 restrictions.
Mr Logan says they haven’t been used yet but TRC is looking to gather more detailed information about the groundwater supply for emergency/supplementary use.
An extensive monitoring program has been developed in consultation with hydrogeological consultants. The water extracted from the bores during the pumping trial will be treated and utilised as part of the town water supply.
The trial coincides with the introduction of new Level 3 water rules at Barraba from Sunday. Mr Logan says that if the town’s main water supply from the Barraba Creek and Manilla River continues to fall to emergency levels then TRC will also consider using the bore water to supplement supply if needed and available.