The Willunga Basin Pipeline is a large reclaimed water scheme which is owned and operated by its water users. Despite being funded without government assistance, it continues to expand, providing a catalyst for economic growth, replacing stressed groundwater and reducing nutrient discharge to the sea.

Like the fine wines of the region, it seems this scheme gets better with age.

HydroPlan has been instrumental in this scheme which has grown from 17 to over 100 commercial users. Much of the success is attributed to the simple and smart engineering concepts developed from HydroPlan's knowledge of water user requirements.

Water is given greatest value when it is delivered with minimum fuss and maximum reliability. Growers can irrigate by just turning on their tap - no need for storage, power or pumps on farm.

The first water users formed a Joint Venture and company (The Willunga Basin Water Company "WBWC") to build Stage 1 of the pipeline so that they could pursue their core business of irrigated horticulture (mostly viticulture).

Over the last 8 years, the WBWC has expanded the scheme every year so that their neighbours can access water as well.

The primary water source is the Christies Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant. It is about 10 km north of the Willunga Basin, and is one of 4 metropolitan treatment works.

The annual treated volume is around 10,000 ML. In the absence of significant "winter" storage, small quantites of groundwater and mains water have been used in peak periods. From late 2004 treated effluent from local towns of McLaren Flat, McLaren Vale and Willunga is injected into the scheme as well. Plans are underway to include Aldinga as well.

There is sufficient 'waste' water flowing to sea from CBWWTP to replace the annual abstraction of groundwater for irrigation in the Willunga Basin.

The Willunga Basin Pipeline is a triple-bottom-line role model. It made no draw on public funds, it delivers high value to the community, and it reduces nutrient discharge to the ocean whilst replacing water consumption from aquifers and the Murray.