Water network expansion roaring into Monarto

Major work is now underway in Monarto as part of SA Water’s $3.9 million investment in upgrading the local water network, to enable ongoing growth across the Murraylands – including Monarto Safari Park’s new resort.

During the next 12 months, more than 7,000 metres of new water main will be laid along Monarto Road and within areas of Monarto Safari Park to increase the capacity of the region’s water supply network.

The project also includes an upgrade to SA Water’s pump station in White Hill to support the increased flow of water, along with construction of a new chlorine booster station – which helps maintain chlorine levels within the network, to protect the safety of drinking water.

SA Water’s Senior Manager of Capital Delivery Peter Seltsikas said augmenting the network ensures it can help support business and residential growth, while maintaining service levels for existing customers.

“As our regions develop and grow, it’s our role to invest in evolving our infrastructure’s capacity to keep them in step with the changing demands from businesses and households,” Peter said.

“Getting more safe, clean drinking water to the region is supporting Monarto Safari Park’s expansion, as it looks to open a new precinct – Wild Africa – which will feature on-site accommodation, and will also benefit existing local primary producers such as poultry farms and a mushroom farm as they increase their operations.

“We have worked closely with the Monarto Safari Park in recent years to understand their water use and build more capacity into our network to accommodate higher water flows as their exciting developments come to life.

“An important part of our preparation for this project has also been managing the unique challenge of working within the vicinity of Monarto Safari Park’s animals, given sections of our new pipes will pass through the park to align with the configuration of our network.

“There are four existing water mains through the area – carrying drinking water from our Murray Bridge plant – that will be duplicated by laying an additional four pipes to get more water into Monarto and beyond, with each pipe 250 millimetres in diameter.

“To minimise any disruption to the animals, our friends at Monarto Safari Park moved their Southern White Rhino, Ibutho, to a new yard during construction, while our crews are also scheduling work between visitor tour times to ensure people can still enjoy the park.

“At the height of construction, we expect to have around 20 people working on-site to help deliver this work, which will also benefit surrounding towns such as Rocky Gully and Pallamana for years to come.”

Built in 1999, SA Water’s Murray Bridge Water Treatment Plant sources and treats water from the River Murray, before it supplies drinking water to customers across the Murraylands.

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