The concept of water sharing between mining sites, and between mining sites and power stations has the potential to further improve the water quality of the Hunter River and to enhance regional water resource management. Water sharing involves transferring surplus water between different operations through specially constructed pipelines for use or storage where it is needed, thus reducing the amount of fresh water that needs to be drawn from the river and its tributaries. Saline water discharges are also reduced.
Minerals company Xstrata, for example, is reducing its reliance on water drawn from the Hunter River with a water sharing plan which enables mine water to be transferred between its Liddell, Cumnock, Mt Owen and Ravensworth operations according to need.
Recent investigations by the NSW Minerals Council and numerous Hunter Valley operations indicate that up to 80 per cent of water demands on the Hunter River could be met through a comprehensive water sharing program.