PROJECTS $2 MILLION TO $5 MILLION WINNER
THARGOMINDAH WATER COOLING PROJECT
Jessica Jones, Business Development Manager, Peak Services with Lew Rojahn, CEO, Bulloo Shire Council.
temperature also degrades existing water supply and reticulation infrastructure. The Project uses reliable technology in an innovative way, without compromising on maintenance and operational ease. Bore water is cooled via plate heat exchangers that are coupled with cooling towers bringing water temperature down from 72 to 35 degrees Celsius. Water is stored in 1.5ML storage tanks and pumped on demand to meet town water supply needs. The bore water is kept separate from the cooling process so that water quality standards cannot be compromised. A final stage UV filter assists to ensure that the water delivered to households meets required quality standards.
Bulloo Shire Council, Peak Services, NRG Services Bulloo Shire Council (Council) has made significant investment in solar energy installations and the new Thargomindah Water Cooling System (Project). The Project delivers long-term financial and social benefits while reducing risk to Council and the community, continuing their ‘green’ council legacy. Conceived by Council in consultation with Peak Services, and with a 60% funding boost from the Department of Local Government Racing and Multicultural Affairs, the Project was made possible. Council had a challenge like many remote councils; reliance on water supply from bores. Whilst the water quality is potable, without treatment the temperature exceeds acceptable level. The water
40 IPWEAQ EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2021
Using the power of the sun to reduce water temperature seems like an unlikely partnership, but the new solar-powered water-cooling towers have successfully reduced the potable bore water temperature to a cool drinkable level and reduces the degradation of existing water supply and reticulation infrastructure.
