Congewai and Quorrobolong Catchment Improvement Program

Project Overview

Hunter Water is investing $500,000 in a Catchment Improvement Program (CIP) to improve water quality in Congewai and Quorrobolong Creeks. The CIP will be implemented over five years and will involve works such as erosion control, revegetation and urban stormwater management, and will improve water quality by reducing the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and other nutrients entering the creeks.

The CIP will focus on the Congewai and Quorrobolong Creek Catchment upstream of Paxton WWTW, an area of approximately 400 square kilometres, as shown here.

How will the CIP affect me?

If you live, own land or a business near the localities of Congewai, Elginford, Ellalong, Millfield, Paxton and Quorrobolong, and are interested in environmental programs in these areas, please register your details to receive project updates.

Hunter Water will soon be contacting residents and business owners in areas that may be suitable for on-ground works to improve water quality. If you would like to let us know of any locations we should consider please send us an email.

The CIP may also involve community information workshops, and Hunter Water specialists visiting local community groups and schools. Please register your details to learn more about these future opportunities.

Why is Hunter Water interested in the water quality of Congewai and Quorrobolong Creeks?

Hunter Water is one of many organisations interested in maintaining and improving the health of these waterways as the Paxton Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) releases treated effluent into Congewai Creek. 

In 2013 Hunter Water developed a sustainable management strategy for the sewered areas of Paxton, Millfield and Ellalong. Part of the management strategy included monitoring and improving creek water quality as Congewai Creek receives treated water from these communities.

How healthy are Congewai and Quorrobolong Creeks?

Over the past few years Hunter Water has completed numerous local environmental studies. The studies found that when compared to Australian and New Zealand fresh and marine water quality guidelines, the Congewai and Quorrobolong Creek environment has elevated levels of nutrients both upstream and downstream of the Paxton WWTW. There are many factors affecting water quality including vegetation clearing, agriculture, urban stormwater, general erosion and the Paxton WWTW.

For more information see FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

Register here to receive updates on the Congewai and Quorrobolong Catchment Improvement Program

 

If you live, own land or a business near the localities of Congewai, Elginford, Ellalong, Millfield, Paxton and Quorrobolong, and are interested in environmental programs in these areas, please register your details to receive project updates.

The Catchment Improvement Program may also involve community information workshops, and Hunter Water specialists visiting local community groups and schools.

Please register here to learn more and receive project updates.

Note: Your contact details will be stored securely and will only be used for the purpose of contacting you about this project.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page will be further updated based on questions Hunter Water receives from the community.

What is a "catchment"?

A catchment is an area where water is collected by the natural landscape. In a catchment, all rain and run-off water eventually flows to a creek, river, dam, lake, ocean, or into a groundwater system. 

What is a CIP?

Catchment Improvement Programs (CIPs) improve water quality by reducing the nutrient and sediment loads entering the river from catchment sources such as agriculture, urban areas and septic systems. This is done via on-ground works, such as replanting riparian vegetation to manage erosion, which reduces the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous entering waterways. 

Who will be involved in developing the CIP?

Hunter Water is working with government stakeholders and the local community, such as Local Land Services (LLS), Cessnock City Council (CCC) and community groups, to develop and implement a program of works to improve water quality. 

Where will the works occur?

The program will focus on the catchment surrounding Congewai and Quorrobolong Creek, throughout the area upstream of the Paxton Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW). 

What is the timeframe?

The CIP is being developed during 2016, with on-ground works expected to begin in 2017.  

Will this project affect farmers who use creek water for irrigation?

No, the project will focus on water quality improvements within the catchment.

 

How much does the Paxton WWTW affect the water quality of Congewai Creek?

The Paxton WWTW was upgraded in 2011 to a Membrane Bioreactor plant that produces high quality treated effluent. The plant is one of Hunter Water's best performing wastewater treatment plants. Overall, the effluent discharged from Paxton WWTW contributes less than 5% of the annual total nitrogen load and less than 1% of the annual total phosphorous load to Congewai Creek.   

If you have any further questions please ask us by email.

Contact Us

For more information contact:

 

• Hunter Water's Project Manager, Louise McKenzie on (02) 4979 9499 or by email.
• Or call the Contact Centre on 1300 657 657 during business hours (8.30am - 5pm). For after-hours emergencies call 1300 657 000.