Wendouree Pool to be converted for use as recycled water storage

The former Wendouree Pool will live on as an underground recycled water storage tank to be used for irrigation of nearby ovals and reserves.

Works to demolish existing buildings at the site will start soon. Materials structures and equipment that will be retained are:

  • The pool basin
  • The filtration system (to be stored for re-use at Council’s depot).
  • The perimeter fence will be retained until the site is re-instated and later replaced with a more suitable design to restrict vehicle access and allow pedestrian access.

The pool basin will then be converted for use as an underground water storage tank.

Works to convert the pool include minor concreting works to fill stair wells and the installation of a heavy duty plastic liner.

The liner will be protected by a cushion layer of geotextile and then the pool basin filled with screened scoria aggregate.

The aggregate has a large pore space for water storage and allows the surface to be load-bearing, as it does not compact. The scoria is then to be covered with a geotextile to prevent entry of soil prior to topsoil covering the site and grass being sown.

The works will include the installation of two wells in the deep end of the pool, with removable pit covers that will allow water to be delivered to the pool via a mesh filter, and water to be extracted via a submersible pump.

The tank will service irrigation needs for Eureka Stadium, Northern Oval Number Two and the two ovals on CE Brown Reserve.

The tank will hold approximately 800,000 litres of stormwater and recycled water.

The recycled water comes from the supply pipeline delivering water from Paul’s Wetland to Lake Wendouree which runs along Dowling Street.

This pipeline also supplies recycled water from CHW’s North Ballarat Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Each oval irrigation requires approximately 100,000 litres.

The pool therefore can hold sufficient capacity to supplement the existing above ground storage tanks for two successive irrigations of the four ovals.

Once complete the area will be reinstated as a grassed parkland area.

For more information visit City of Ballarat