The general supply and usage options involved in the balanced management of water is summarised as follows:-

THE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN:

Assess Geological Structure – topography, geotechnical substrata, and geography

• Primary water supply sources - underground water table
  • surface systems
  • rain water
  • mains supply backup from Rous water
• Water Usage -needs assessment
  • quality
  • demand
  • drinking and human consumption
  • washing
  • cleaning and waste removal
  • plants and irrigation
• Storage
• -underground
  • surface, dams, tanks
  • quantities, distribution, location, pumping
  • economies of scale
• Grey Water -reuse systems
  • quality control
  • source of supply
• Waste Disposal -wet
  • dry
  • individual
  • grouped and common system
• Waste water treatment -primary
  • secondary
  • recycle
  • storage
• Purification Systems -sealed
  • open – reed beds
• Transpiration
  • spray irrigation
  • trickle irrigation – soakage
• Zero Impact - collect, use, return, balance.

The main principle behind water management is to look at the predevelopment regime when rainfall and nature had a direct connection.

The water from the primary sources is now collected, used, treated and returned to the environment. The amount returned should reflect the original supply to keep nature in balance.

The connection between the water supply, use and waste water is shown in diagram No 16 which also shows the connection between recyclable and composting waste and water.

Water is essential to life and is connected to all other life forms as well as humans. We have a right to clean water. It is given freely and nature provides all our needs but with our present explosion of population we need to protect and value our water supply to stop pollution and waste.

Our planet is 90% water but only 3% of this comes as potable and renewable rain. The balance between nature, biodiversity and rainfall must be understood and maintained to ensure a sustainable supply.

The master plan incorporates a collection, treatment and reuse system by regenerating and using the natural environment within our town. Reed beds and aeration rock flow paths purify our stormwater which is then pumped back into the town centre by solar powered pumps to be used for all purposes except personal washing and drinking.

These ponds also create a pleasant natural environment for passive recreation and enjoyment as well as providing important habitat for wild life which will increase because we have given them a home.

The connection and balance of nature is always so simple.