Water Week 2023
Oct 12, 2023
How does water get to your taps?
National Water Week is on again from 16 - 22 October and in 2023 the theme is 'United by Water'. This year Riverina Water is taking the opportunity to highlight our role connecting people in the region, working to ensure a safe, reliable, and affordable supply of water all-year-round.
Riverina Water operates on Wiradjuri Country and as such we respectfully acknowledge the Wiradjuri People as the traditional custodians of this land. Listen to local Wiradjuri man Mark Saddler here talk about the cultural importance of the Murrumbidgee River (Marambidya Bila):
In this area the Murrumbidgee River and aquifers are the primary source of water for everyone. The majority of our water comes from the river but the supply is also then supplemented from bores and groundwater during periods of high demand. We manage our groundwater licences carefully, balancing how much water is sourced from the river versus bores to ensure the aquifers stay at sustainable levels.
In Wagga, once the water is taken in at our riverside plant it undergoes a number of levels of treatment to ensure its safety. This ensures the water you get meets strict health criteria as outlined in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. We undertake:
- Screening to remove any solid objects
- Flocculation, where fine particles are removed using a chemical than makes them clump together and settle
- Filtration – larger particles removed as water moves through sand and/or crushed anthracite
- Disinfection, where chlorine is generally used to kill bacteria, viruses and microbes. Fluoride is added as per NSW Health requirements.
We get the water to you from the Murrumbidgee via our new Wagga Wagga Water Treatment Plant, officially opened in October 2021, and our extensive network of pipes. Our state-of-the-art facility allows us to take in raw water, filter and treat, and pump drinkable water to 73,000 customers at the rate of up to 55 megalitres per day. To see how the plant was developed watch our video below:
National Water Week reminds us of water's vital role in connecting us all, prompts us to think about and respect this vital resource. There are a range of events happening around the country, including Water Night on Thursday 19 October, which encourages Australians to think about water consumption by spending a night without turning their taps on (have you registered yet?).
Water impacts every part of the community, driving economic growth and supporting healthy ecosystems. It is an essential that no one can live without and we believe it needs to be valued as such.