General News
1 November, 2024
Local homes tap into better water quality
A major $5 million upgrade to Coliban Water’s Laanecoorie Water Treatment Plant will provide gallons of water quality improvements to over 800 local households.
The project, which began in January and was completed in September, includes the construction of two new water tanks standing over four metres tall and 20 metres in diameter with the capacity to hold one mega litre each.
Upgrades also include two new water pumps which will deliver an average of 22 litres per second to the plant.
The tanks receive and store water from the South West Loddon Pipeline, operated by Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water, marking the final connection between the Coliban Water and the pipeline.
According to Coliban Water managing director Damian Wells, the upgrades will make the facility more efficient and reliable, improving the quality of drinking water delivered to customers in Bealiba, Dunolly, Tarnagulla and Laanecoorie.
“The Laanecoorie Water Supply Upgrade is an important project that will deliver a more reliable raw water supply for our customers,” he said.
“Water quality in the Loddon River can be variable due to organic material which can wash into the river, especially after wet weather events or flooding.
“When our plant receives poor quality raw water, it works harder to turn this raw water into drinking water. This upgrade provides better water security by providing an additional raw water source — the South West Loddon Pipeline.
“As a customer-funded business, we recognised the upgrade would be a great benefit for our customers. It is a great example of the commitment we have for our region.
“By accessing a better-quality raw water source, it will mean a more reliable and efficient water treatment process — which is a win for our customers.”
The Victorian Government is a shareholder of the corporation and reports to the Minister for Water Harriet Shing who recently visited the newly upgraded facility.
The project is a part of Coliban Water’s $500 million investment over five years in Victoria’s Big Water Build.
Ms Shing said the project is an “essential” improvement for the local community.
“Upgrading essential infrastructure like the Laanecoorie Water Treatment Plant ensures we can deliver higher quality, reliable water supplies for our regional communities now and into the future,” she said.