What are the benefits?
Who will benefit from this project?
What construction is involved?
Is the project definitely going ahead?
Is this project only occurring because of the Adelaide Desalination project?
How much will it cost and who is funding it?
Where will the pipe works be happening?
Will there be any disruptions during construction?
How will environmental issues be managed?
Why do we need new pump stations?
What will the new pump stations look like?
How noisy will the new pump stations be?
What do pressure reducing valves do?
What will you do to manage traffic during construction activities?
If a pipeline is going in my street, how long will access to my property be restricted?
Will the pipe go through my home?
Where can I get more information?
What are the benefits?
The majority of the metropolitan area is currently linked to only one water network. Residents in the northern suburbs of Adelaide rely on the Mannum-Adelaide-Hope Valley system, while residents in the southern Adelaide rely on the Murray Bridge-Onkaparinga-Happy Valley system . The North-South Interconnection System Project will allow the transfer of large volumes of water between Adelaide’s southern water supply system – including water from the desalination plant in 2012 – and the northern system.
The benefits of the North South Interconnection System Project are a more flexible water distribution network and a more secure supply of water to South Australian homes. This means we will be better placed to respond to drought and there will be less need for water restrictions.
It also presents benefits for managing growth in the metropolitan area due to increased population and infill housing.
Importantly this network improvement will protect our drinking water supply. If we have a localised system failure – for whatever reason – in one part of the overall system, we will be able draw from the other system. A flexible and reliable water distribution network is an important factor as we plan South Australian water needs for the future.
The State Government’s Water for Good strategy to secure water for the future includes a desalination plant at Port Stanvac to supply up to 300 million litres of water each day. The plant will be fully operational in late 2012. For more information about water security projects, including desalination, stormwater and wastewater recycling, visit the Water For Good website.
Who will benefit from this project?
The improvements to the distribution network will provide a more secure, flexible and reliable supply of water to homes and businesses across Adelaide.The greater level of water security will benefit all South Australians.
What construction is involved?
During initial investigations, SA Water looked at constructing a large diameter pipeline to connect the Hope Valley Reservoir in the Adelaide’s north to the Happy Valley Reservoir in the south. This would have been raw water transfer, not drinking water. Hydraulic modelling and technical testing confirmed that connecting the northern and southern water supply networks could be better completed through the construction of smaller pipelines and additional booster pumping stations – integrated into our existing assets. SA Water has conducted an extensive feasibility design and assessment process that considered a range of factors including cost, operational service, water quality, existing assets, environment, planning, community impacts and infrastructure delivery.
After further refining, this process has identified three major construction components will be required:
- Three new pump stations
- Approximately 32 kilometres of new pipe work
- Pressure regulating and sustaining valves
Additionally, SA Water will be upgrading some underground services metropolitan-wide, including new and replacement valves and meters.
Is the project definitely going ahead?
The project will go ahead subject to a range of Government processes and approvals. The project is in the preliminary planning stage and concept designs for the new pump stations, pipe works and PRVs are currently in development. Elements of the project will be subject to development applications, which will be assessed by the Development Assessment Commission following input from local councils, interested members of the community and State Government agencies. SA Water is working with communities on how to best balance the functional and operational requirements of the proposed public infrastructure with relevant local area Development Plan provisions and stakeholder ideas. SA Water recognises the value of this project in securing Adelaide’s future water supply and that working with the local communities will help us deliver acceptable design solutions. For the project to proceed beyond the current design phase to construction, approval is required from the South Australian Cabinet and the Public Works Committee. The project is expected to be submitted for approval in late 2010.
How much will it cost and who is funding it?
This is a $403 million infrastructure project funded by the South Australian Government as part of a suite of water security measures.
Is this project only occurring because of the Adelaide Desalination project?
No. The desalination project has brought forward the need for the infrastructure but we have known for many years that – at some stage – we would have to connect our southern and northern networks. SA Water is constantly planning for network improvements across our distribution system. Events in recent years, including significant, prolonged drought, have shown we need to have a more flexible and reliable network. This project will enable SA Water to fully use all water sources across the metropolitan area, including water from the Adelaide Hills catchments and River Murray, as well as the new water supply from the desalination plant.
Where will the pipe works be happening?
The SA Water website will continue to be updated with maps showing proposed pipe alignments and infrastructure. This is a major infrastructure project and we will be working with communities in areas impacted by the works. Please refer to the SA Water website for more specific details.
Will there be any disruptions during construction?
Some disruptions are inevitable with infrastructure projects. However, every effort will be made to minimise impacts on the community. The move away from a single large diameter pipeline between Hope and Happy Valley reservoirs (as originally investigated) to a series of smaller upgrade works has greatly reduced the potential for large scale disruptions. With pipeline construction we work to minimise impacts through providing appropriate access points, parking for vehicles, traffic management and plenty of notice to property owners. Work progresses quickly and roads are reinstated as soon as possible. Additionally, the design of the pump stations and pressure reducing valves will take into account a range of issues including visual amenity, urban design, landscaping and access. We will continue to work with councils and communities on ways of minimising impacts.
How will environmental issues be managed?
Similar to minimising community impacts, the effective management of any environmental issues is a key priority for the project. Extensive flora and fauna investigations are under way and SA Water will work closely with State Government agencies such as the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Department for Water, and Department for Environment and Natural Resources, as well as all local councils in the proposed construction areas, to minimise any impacts on trees, vegetation, fauna and waterways. The construction contractors will be required to meet the standards set out in rigorous environmental management plans for all work conducted on the project. These plans will be enforced by SA Water and the EPA.
Why do you need new pumping stations?
Much of Adelaide’s water supply network is gravity fed, which means we can move water from high points to low points allowing gravity to do much of the work. However, where the water needs to be moved across flat or undulating land, uphill, or across long distances, we have to use pumping stations to push it along. To move large volumes of water effectively to all of our customers, we have about 60 pumping stations strategically placed throughout the network to minimise the amount of energy required to move the water.
What will the new pumping stations look like?
SA Water will be working with local communities to balance the functionality of the sites with the design and visual appearance of the proposed stations. The design of the new pumping stations is still to be finalised. We will be seeking community input to the design of the pump station buildings and sites. In some cases, the pump stations can be designed to look similar to a house, or to blend with the surrounding environment. Work is underway to look at how the pump stations can be designed in such a way so as to complement and blend with the existing urban landscape.
How noisy will the pumping stations be?
Pump stations are designed to minimise noise, with the pumping ‘machinery’ housed within acoustically controlled structures. While all pumping stations are different, noise controls such as landscaping and building acoustics are considered for each site. Compliance with EPA guidelines will be an absolute minimum requirement.
What do pressure reducing values do?
SA Water owns, operates and maintains more than 26,000 kilometres of water mains across the State – more than 8000 kilometres in the metropolitan area.The number of connections, water consumption by customers and our network operations can all impact the rate at which water flows through the system. To ensure a secure, reliable and consistent water supply we must maintain a steady pressure is the system and we often do this through a number of measures, including installation of pressure reduction valves (PRVs) on our pipelines. PRVs can help us control leaks and pipe bursts, as well as ease pressure problems in our customers’ pipe networks.
For this project, plans are to upgrade PRVs at Seacliff, Wattle Park and Springfield. New pressure regulating valves are likely to be required at Gulfview Heights and at our Hope Valley storage tank.
What will you do to manage traffic during construction activities?
Subject to approvals, the project will require traffic controls at various sites, including on several major arterial roads. Standards controls such as reduced speed zones and signage will be put in place where required. When construction activities begin on works that may impact on traffic, SA Water will issue letters and reports via the Australian Traffic Network and other media. Works on smaller suburban roads will be kept to a minimum and communities will receive letters and notification prior to any works commencing in their area.
What are the project timeframes?
Design work is now under way. SA Water will engage local communities, and keep residents, businesses and other stakeholders informed throughout the project. Construction is expected to commence next year, however, no construction will start until the community has been engaged. Subject to approvals, the project will be commissioned ahead of the desalination plant reaching full capacity in late 2012.
If a pipeline is going in my street, how long will access to my property be restricted?
For SA Water, laying pipes in the ground is core business. Pipe relay works are constantly being undertaken around Adelaide in suburban streets. We work on the basis of about 25-30 metres of pipe being laid per day. On this basis, if a pipe is to pass your house, excavators and earth moving equipment will likely be in front of your house for no more than one to two days, with reinstatement following as soon as possible after pipe laying is complete.
We will work with all residents who may be impacted by these works to ensure they are able to access their properties. This may in some instances require temporary access arrangements or temporary car-parking arrangements. Our construction crews are used to working with residents throughout the course of construction to ensure on-site impacts are well managed.
Will the pipe go through my home?
No homes will be required for this project and there are no plans for compulsory acquisition. The majority of pipe work will be laid within roadways or through existing open space areas, subject to necessary local approvals.
Where can I find out more information?
SA Water will work closely with residents, businesses and other interested stakeholders as planning and construction progresses. For additional information please call the SA Water project hotline on 08 8405 4278 or email nsisp@sawater.com.au
For construction specific information please call the following numbers:
Central Pipeline 1800 116 394
Northern Pipeline 1800 643 374
Eastern Pipeline 1800 799 913
Western Pipeline 1800 799 913
Wattle Park, Clapham and Gilberton Pump Stations 08 8405 4278
Northern PRV, Seacliff PRV and Mini Hydro and Terminal Storage PSV 1800 661 677
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