A boost for Orange stormwater harvesting

An innovative stormwater harvesting project in Orange is moving into the next phase, helping to boost water supply and safeguard resources for this iconic NSW regional centre ahead of the next drought.

Funded thanks to $5 million each from the NSW Government and Orange City Council, the East Orange Harvesting Wetlands (EOHW) will enhance the town’s alternative water supply scheme and provide a vibrant community recreation area for its 42,000 residents.

The second stage of the project has been on hold awaiting a decision by the Land and Environment Court which has now been resolved, allowing this important work to proceed.

Stage One contributes approximately 900 ML (secure yield) of reliable treated stormwater each year and was the first large scale, indirect-to-potable stormwater harvesting project in Australia, supplying approximately 20 percent of the water used by Orange.

The EOHW will build on that, supplying an additional 600 ML (secure yield) each year. Built upstream from Stage One at Blackmans Swamp Creek, the new infrastructure will include a 13 ML wetland pond to hold water, enabling stormwater from the urban area to be collected when flows are high.

It will use high-tech inlet and outlet controls, as well as a small weir that elevates the water level to help regulate supply, meaning water can be extracted over a longer period.

Construction is expected to start by late 2026 and will be finished in 2027.

NSW DCCEEW Director of Grant Programs, Kirsty Fenton said:

“Orange is extremely vulnerable to drought, which is why we’re throwing our support behind innovative water supply options to strengthen the town’s defence against climate extremes.

“We can’t make it rain so we need to explore new ways to secure more reliable water, and stormwater harvesting is a fantastic solution that enables Orange to capture almost a quarter of its annual rain fall that would otherwise run off onto lower grounds.

“The future is bright for harvesting stormwater and we’re pleased to be able to support groundbreaking projects like this to make every drop count during the next drought.”

Orange City Council Mayor Tony Mileto said:

“In the last drought we experienced Level 5 water restrictions, so residents know how critical it is that we diversify our options for accessing water, and we want to thank the NSW Government for its support to provide the infrastructure we need to enable that.

“While Orange does receive good rainfall, it sits at the top of the catchment meaning a lot of the water runs off onto lower grounds before it can be collected, which is why having a way to regulate and retain flows is an absolute game-changer.

“Our existing harvesting station at Blackmans Swamp Creek gives us 900 ML in secure yield per year and these new wetlands we’re building at the intersection of Jilba and Philip Streets will maximise the potential to collect more.”