Largest ever program of ‘hidden assets’ for our region
Coliban Water has wrapped up its largest ever program of water and sewer main renewals, with approximately $8.5 million invested across the region during the 2023/24 financial year.
Chief Officer Assets and Operations, Danny McLean, said the work encompassed 16.8 kilometres of water main renewals and 25 kilometres of sewer main renewals.
“Most of us don’t think about the infrastructure required to deliver water to our taps or carry our used water away from our homes. But these ‘hidden assets’ have been the focus of a large-scale renewal program.
“Our crews have renewed water mains at 61 sites across central Victoria, including Bealiba where 970 metres of mains were replaced, and Specimen Gully Road in Castlemaine where 1.3 kilometres of mains were replaced.
“When renewing water mains we consider the age of the pipe, whether it’s had any leaks, and what the pipe is made of. These considerations help us prioritise and build an ongoing schedule of replacements,” Mr McLean said.
Mr McLean added that Coliban Water had introduced several new innovations to ensure the work completed was sustainable, with work at the Specimen Gully Road project, in particular, using 100% recycled drill water.
“Our delivery partner, R&R McClure, employed leading-edge technology to reuse the drill water circulated between specialist rock drills, saving almost 50,000 litres of water, roughly equivalent to the daily water consumption of 240 customers,” he said.
“The team also reused sand at the site, with approximately 20 cubic metres of sand extracted during works able to be reused around the pipes during reinstatement.
“396 sewer mains were also renewed over the past financial year, with a particular focus on Echuca where the age of some of its sewer mains and recent blockages due to silt and debris build-up led to the area being prioritised for attention.
“We’ve completed 6.4 kilometres of sewer main renewals in Echuca, with several relined and cleared out so they operate more efficiently,” Mr McLean said.
“In Bendigo, sewer main replacement works around Rosalind Park found some sewers were up to 80% blocked.
“We continue our efforts to educate the community about the importance of only flushing the three Ps (pee, poo and toilet paper) and binning fats, oils, and grease to prevent avoidable blockages.”
Coliban Water will now continue its water main renewals at 31 locations, including Bendigo, Boort, Cohuna, Echuca, Kyneton and Serpentine over the coming months.
Mr McLean concluded by saying $18 million will be invested in renewal works between 1 July and 30 June 2028, and that Coliban Water will communicate with customers in advance when works are scheduled near them.
“We thank the community for their patience while we complete this vital work to ensure our water and sewerage network can keep pace with demand today, and in the years to come.
More information on upcoming works is available at connect.coliban.com.au and information about protecting our sewer network at coliban.com.au/help-advice/what-can-go-down-drain
Last updated on 08 Jul 2024