Where Our Water Comes From

Bellingen Shire Council manages two water supply schemes; one in Dorrigo, and one on the Seaboard supplying Bellingen, Fernmount, Urunga, Raleigh, Repton and Mylestom.  

But where does our water come from?  All of our 'town water' is extracted from the Bielsdown and Bellinger River.  This is done using specialised bores and infiltration wells.  After extraction, water is treated to a high drinking level standard and then pumped into a number of storage reservoirs.   Reservoirs are connected to residential properties through a large network of pipes, providing running water to your taps.  

Buildings in other areas like Megan, Bostobrick, Gleniffer, Brierfield, Kalang and Spicketts Creek are not connected to town water, and rely on water tanks and private water sharing agreements.

The Local Water Journey 

1. EVAPORATION & TRANSPIRATION

Energy from the sun heats up bodies of water, causing some of it to turn to vapour.  Trees also release moisture into the atmosphere.

2. RAIN

 Water in the atmosphere condenses into droplets, forming rain. 

3. CATCHMENT

Rain falls over the landscape and infiltrates the soil, restoring our aquifers, rivers and lakes. 

4. BOREFIELD

Water is extracted from the Bielsdown and Bellingen River using specialised equipment.

5. TREATMENT 

Water is treated to drinking level standards and checked in a laboratory.  

6. RESERVOIRS

Once treated, water is stored in a series of large reservoirs across the Shire and supplied to residents.

7. SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

After being used, water is piped to the Sewage Treatment Plant.

8. RIVER

Wastewater is treated and tested before being discharged back into the river.