Up to one megalitre of recycled water a day will be released from the plant to the river.

Coliban Water’s water quality executive general manager David Sheehan said water had previously been released to the river between June and November.

He said it was usual during winter.

“Due to significant predicted rainfall over the coming days, and the treatment lagoons at the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant being at capacity, we have made the decision to release some water again to the river,’’ he said.

“This is necessary to protect the embankments of the onsite lagoons.

“These releases of Class B recycled water to the Campaspe River will lower the risk of an unlicensed discharge via overflow of poorer quality lagoon water to nearby Snipes Creek.’’

Class B recycled water is generally used for offsite irrigation during summer.

During winter, the recycled water is generally discharged to the Campaspe River.

“We are always seeking to comply with our Environmental Protection Authority Victoria licence in relation to discharges to the Campaspe River,” Mr Sheehan said.

“If flow rates in the river are too low, it means there is not enough dilution with the recycled water releases.

“In that case, if storage capacity exists on site, we blend the Class B recycled water with water in our onsite lagoons. It is then used for pasture irrigation.’’

Mr Sheehan said Coliban Water informed the Environmental Protection Authority on Wednesday of the increased flow rate of recycled water to the Campaspe River.

He said it would continue to monitor water quality along the river throughout the release.

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