EVENTS IN FEBRUARY 2002
The Water Directorate is a voluntary association of councils and county councils that operate water and/or sewer businesses in regional NSW. Our monthly newsletter seeks to inform member councils and all sectors of the NSW Local Government Water Industry of the developments that have taken place regarding technical issues and networking during February 2002 and of coming events. This newsletter is mailed out to General Managers and to Water and Sewer Managers in 121 regional councils in NSW and also to approximately 100 contacts in government departments, councils and private industry across Australia.

MEMBERSHIP
It is very pleasing to announce that Inverell Shire Council and Deniliquin Sire Council are the latest members and it is even more pleasing to note that they have helped our membership reach the milestone of 90. The Water Directorate would be very happy to send membership kits to potential new member councils. New members will receive the documents released since July 2001 ie - O&M Manual for Sewer Reticulation, O&M Manual for Water Reticulation, Effluent Reuse and Biosolids Reuse Survey Report 2000, Blue-Green Algae Management Protocols and the O&M Manual for Wet and Dry Well SPSs, see further below.

I thank John Millay, secretary of the IPWEA's South West Group for the opportunity to attend their February meeting at Temora to give an update on past, present and future Water Directorate projects.

POWERS OF ENTRY UPDATE
The Director General of the Department of Local Government has confirmed in a letter dated 14 February 2002 that amendments to give councils powers similar to other water, sewer and drainage authorities are well advanced. Amendments are currently being drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Office. The Director General has stated that he will bear in mind the Water Directorate's offer of further assistance in the drafting of the amendments. These amendments are now dependent upon the timetable and priorities of parliament however the Executive Committee is hopeful that the Bill will be introduced, read, debated and passed in the next parliamentary session commencing April 2002. A letter has also been sent to inform the NSW Premier of the importance of this issue and of the opportunity to save $1.3 billion if the unnecessary need to create easements is abolished.

O&M MANUAL FOR WET AND DRY WELL SEWAGE PUMPING STATIONS
This latest O&M Manual for Wet and Dry Well SPSs has been amended in accordance with the new OHS Act 2000 and the new OHS Regulation 2001 that commenced on 1 September 2001 and it will be mailed out to all General Managers of member councils in the second week of March 2002. This manual is tailored to local government authorities throughout NSW responsible for the operation and maintenance of wet and dry well sewage pumping stations and it complements the manual for submersible sewage pumping stations. This manual includes templates for site specific operations and maintenance information, site specific technical information, work method statements and extensive supportive organisational material. Once again, this manual was developed by Albury Water to the Water Directorate's brief and the Executive Committee is confident that member councils will find the manual to be of great benefit.

O&M MANUAL TRAINING
Expressions of interest in the range of 90 to 110 personnel, for training in the implementation of the O&M Manuals have been received in response to last month's newsletter and email requests. Thank you for the prompt responses and as a result, the viability of providing training is being further investigated for discussion and decision at the Executive Committee meeting on 7 March 2002. The outcome of these discussions will be notified by newsletter or email as appropriate.

STANDARDS FOR LOW PRESSURE SEWERAGE SYSTEMS SEMINAR, 14 - 15 MARCH 2002
As mentioned in the last newsletter, one of our new projects is the development of Standards for Low Pressure Sewerage Systems as suggested by Wagga Wagga City Council. The Water Directorate recognises the need and the benefits of a uniform approach to developing standards for this alternative sewerage scheme and is pleased to be involved in conjunction with Wagga Wagga City Council. As a starting point, a seminar has been set for 14 and 15 March 2002 in Wagga Wagga and letters of invitation were issued to all councils enclosing a seminar agenda and registration form. For registration forms and accommodation information, please contact Christine Dawson on 02 6926 9286. For more details regarding the seminar program and approach, please contact Colin Earnshaw on 02 6926 9480. Your support and input at the seminar will ensure the most appropriate standards will be developed.

PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE FORUM, 14 MAY 2002
Prior to CivEnEx 2002, IPWEA, NSW Division will hold the Public Infrastructure Forum on 14 May 2002 at the Parkroyal Hotel in Parramatta. The program includes a Works Officers' Stream and presentations on the Infrastructure Report Card and Non-Feasance. Information brochures and registration flyers will be mailed to IPWEA members with the next NSW Division Newsletter. For enquiries, please contact Membership Services Coordinator Caitlin Williams on 02 8267 3007.

CIVENEX 2002, 15 - 16 MAY 2002
IPWEA, NSW Division will hold CivEnEx 2002 on 15 and 16 May 2002 at the Sydney Showground at Homebush. CivEnEx 2002 is Australia's biggest and best show for the public works, earthmoving, machinery and construction industries. For more information and enquiries please contact Events Manager Frank Sticka on 02 9267 5231, frank@sydney.net or www.civenex.com

IPWEA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2002, 10 - 14 NOVEMBER 2002
For those people who only received the electronic version of the January 2002 newsletter, please note that the date of IPWEA, NSW Division's Annual Conference has been changed to 10 to 14 November 2002. The Coffs Harbour location is unchanged and the Theme is 'Winning the Game'. For more information and enquiries please contact Conference Coordinator Janice Parker on 02 9983 1474 or conference2002@ipwea.org.au

AWA NSW BIOSOLIDS TASKFORCE
The AWA's Biosolids Taskforce has requested feedback from the Local Government Water Industry via the Water Directorate regarding concerns about the onerous responsibility of testing some of the compounds in the Biosolids Guidelines and the fact that some compounds never register due to the levels of detection and the unique environments. The AWA would greatly appreciate it if all Councils could please provide feedback on the following questions by April 12, 2002:
- Does your Council test biosolids?
- If so, please comment on the above-mentioned concerns together with any trends in concentrations noticed over the years of testing?
- Would your Council benefit from a research proposal on the use of granulated biosolids?
- Would your Council be able to offer some financial assistance for a research proposal on the use of granulated biosolids?
Please reply by April 12, 2002 to Greg Fogarty, Manager Technical Services, Queanbeyan City Council at greg.fogarty@qcc.nsw.gov.au who has kindly offered to be the Local Government representative on the AWA's Biosolids Taskforce.

AWA BIOSOLIDS SPECIALTY CONFERENCE 2002
The AWA has announced it will hold a Biosolids Specialty Conference in Sydney on 19 - 20 June 2002. The goals are to improve knowledge on the range of available techniques for beneficial biosolids management; to provide an opportunity for discussing new research and projects promoting biosolids reuse; to provide a forum for exchange of information between the Biosolids Taskforces in each state; to identify regulation and legislation to encourage better acceptance of biosolids reuse practice. For more details please contact Diane Wiesner on dwiesner@awa.asn.au

DLWC's NEW TRADE WASTE POLICY
The latest advice for member councils is that the new document is complete and awaiting sign off by the new Minister. DLWC hope to issue the document in April 2002 and plan to hold implementation forums in major centres shortly after its distribution.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
For further information about membership or any water related issue, please contact Gary Mitchell on 02 8267 3010, or garymi@bigpond.com or visit the website at http://wd.ipwea.org.au. If member councils would like any issue to be discussed by the Executive Committee, please contact your local representative or refer it to me. Meeting dates for 2002 are 7 March, 2 May, 4 July, 5 September and 7 November. Executive Committee contact details can also be found on our website at http://www.ipwea.org.au/wd/members/list/byexec_index.html. Please note above that my email address has changed to garymi@bigpond.com

For more information contact: