Water Economics and Infrastructure Cost Study for Moree Plains Shire Spa Water Industry

Abstract

Moree has a successful spa industry based on extraction of artesian water from local aquifers by five licensed spa operators in Moree. This industry has existed for over 100 years in Moree and has the potential to develop further in the future. The MPSC owns and manages the largest spa facility; the Moree Spa Baths (Table 1) and has taken the lead in assisting the other operators to comply with licence requirements. Over the past five years this has led to an overall reduction in extraction (and hence discharge also) of 37%, from 1,337ML per year to 795ML per year. The next step is to ensure no discharge of spa wastewater into the Mehi River.