Pipeline progressing for Orroroo's new water supply

SA Water's customers in Orroroo are edging closer to a new high-quality drinking water supply, with the majority of installation works on a 36 kilometre water pipeline to Peterborough now complete.  

The project's remaining works include installing pressure-reducing valves and a flow control valve system, and all connections to the network.

The new pipeline will significantly improve the township's drinking water through the supply of high-quality River Murray Water, by connecting to the Morgan to Whyalla pipeline network.

Approximately 300 customers in Orroroo currently receive ground water sourced from the Walloway Basin, which although classified as drinkable under Australian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines does not meet certain taste qualities due to naturally-occurring salinity.

SA Water's General Manager of Asset Operations and Delivery Mark Gobbie said customers will soon enjoy some of SA's best tasting drinking water from the Morgan Water Treatment Plant coming out of their taps.   

"Crews have safely laid all sections of pipe between Peterborough and Orroroo, and we anticipate first water to be flowing through the pipeline to customers by early March following commissioning and disinfection requirements," Mark said.

"This will deliver a significant improvement to the drinking water supply in Orroroo and investing in the local network ensures we can keep providing our customers with world class water services.

"We have partnered with the local community to determine the best way to improve the local drinking water supply, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for the remainder of the project and well into the future."

Crews have installed the new pipes within road verges following Petersburg Road, RM Williams Way, Bencic Road and Minburra Road. A further 17 kilometres of water main has also been replaced between Peterborough and Yongala, with thrust-auger boring taking place under railway crossings at four different sections.

The 358 kilometre Morgan to Whyalla pipeline is one of SA Water's longest pipeline networks, with an annual delivery capacity of approximately 66,000 megalitres of water.

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