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Fresh water is an essential resource for the generation of electricity. It is used for the production of high purity steam, condensate cooling, supply of domestic water and miscellaneous operations including dust suppression.
Delta’s management of fresh water supplies is unique for each power station site. Usage depends on the locality of the power station (coastal or inland) and it’s operational requirements. Fresh water usage requirements of coastal power stations are much less than for inland power stations.
Central Coast
Munmorah and Vales Point Power Stations, draw water for condensate cooling from estuarine lakes. Munmorah Power Station draws saline cooling water from Lake Munmorah, whilst Vales Point Power Station draws its saline cooling water from Chain Valley Bay on Lake Macquarie.
A water reclamation plant was installed at Vales Point in 2008. The Vales Point water reclamation plant was awarded an Energy Supply Association of Australia Sustainable Practice Framework Award in the category Industry Innovation/Best Practice Community Consultation and Stakeholder Support. The plant reclaims water from treated sewage so it can be used in the demineralisation plant. This is saving up to 230 million litres of fresh water a year.
Western Region
Wallerawang and Mt Piper Power Stations are located inland. Water is extracted for condensate cooling from fresh water sources including the Coxs River and Fish River systems.
A number of fresh water reservoirs have been constructed to provide for the Western Region power stations including Lake Wallace, Lake Lyell and Thompsons Creek Dam.
Delta Electricity extracts water from Coxs River at Lake Lyell in compliance with its water licence. This establishes the conditions for water releases from Lake Lyell which ensure the ongoing environmental health of Coxs River.
Fish River water is of a lower salinity than the Coxs River and is required for the boilers at Wallerawang power station. Fish River water is currently sourced from the Duckmaloi River and the Oberon Dam. Because of low rainfall in the Oberon Dam catchment area, strict restrictions are placed on allocations from the dam. Delta is actively examining alternative sources of water for Wallerawang Power Station in order to further ease pressure on Oberon Dam.
Click on the link to search for Delta water licences: DECC Public Register
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