SolarBees taking the sting out of algae - Minister Phillip Costa MP - 26 October 2008

Water Minister Phil Costa today announced a new measure to help protect Sydney’s drinking water from algal blooms with the latest technology SolarBee on trial in Warragamba Dam.

Mr Costa said the SolarBee is a floating, solar-powered device that continuously circulates to disrupt still water where the chances for algal blooms are more likely.

“This is the first time SolarBee has been trialled in a major water storage catchment in Australia,” said Mr Costa.

“Four Bees have been recently installed in Warragamba dam. The devices are about 200 metres apart creating a circulation system covering more than 700,000 square metres of the dam’s surface. (equates to around 120 footy/soccer fields)

“The four units represent an investment of around $500,000 and have been deployed right next to the dam wall which is a main source of water for Sydney.

"This is a major initiative by the Rees Government put in place now to help protect our drinking water when it’s most vulnerable to algal blooms during the warmer months,” he said.

Mr Costa said the water quality would be regularly tested over the coming months to measure the success of the Bees.

“I’ll be keeping a close eye on the results and looking at other areas in the catchment where this technology could be used,” he continued.

“It’s important to have this new technology operating now so we are on the front foot in protecting the quality of our water.”

The installation of the Bees is one initiative the Government is undertaking to reduce and if necessary manage future blue-green algal blooms. Other steps include:

  • Fastracking $37 million of sewerage treatment plan upgrades in the catchment to reduce phosphorous and nitrogen entering the rivers and lakes;
  • A new water filtration process at the Warragamba and Orchard Hills plants to remove algae and taste and odour compounds;
  • Investigations to see whether the same process could be used at the larger Prospect Water Filtration Plant;
  • Additional scientific research and trials to help understand more about the way algae behaves and develop new controls.

These measures form part of the NSW Government’s Blue-Green Algae Action Plan for Warragamba.

“We are conscious of learning from past incidents to develop a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to the blooms,” he said.

“This Plan is focussed on the water agencies in Sydney working together to avoid and reduce future blooms.

“The Government is investing in catchment management activities to reduce the amount of nutrients and sediments that enter the water supply storages.

“The Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) and Sydney Water have a range of measures in place to ensure high quality water is delivered to the people of Sydney.

“The SCA continues to work closely with councils, landholders and farmers in the catchments to improve land management practices and the quality of water in the rivers and creeks that feed our dams.

“The SCA and Sydney Water will continue to work hard to reduce and manage any algal blooms and supply high quality drinking water to customers,” he concluded.