Changes to Meredith water supply

From the week starting 19 October 2009, Barwon Water will revert to supplying the Meredith township with treated drinking water sourced from the Moorabool River. From May 2009, Meredith had been supplied by water carted from Lethbridge.

This has been made possible by recent rainfalls which will allow Barwon Water’s entitlement in the Lal Lal reservoir to be released down the Moorabool River to supply Meredith customers.

There will be a slight difference in the taste and colour of Meredith's water due to a higher salt content. The treated water from the river is safe to drink and meets all requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2004).

The water supply releases will be co-ordinated with environmental flows to provide maximum benefit to the river in line with the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority's 2009-10 Moorabool River Watering Plan.

Barwon Water's Board recently signed off on a $7.4 million project to improve water supply to Meredith by building a pipeline connecting Meredith to the Lethbridge tank. The final total cost of the project is estimated at $7.8 million. Work will begin in 2010, with completion by the summer of 2010/2011.

How is the water supply in Meredith changing?

The carting of water to Meredith from the Lethbridge tank will be discontinued from the week of 19 October, 2009 as a result of recent good rainfalls. Meredith will revert to being supplied from the West Moorabool River. The water will be treated at Barwon Water's Moorabool treatment plant.

Why is Barwon Water not going to cart water from Lethbridge anymore?

Recent good rainfalls and a new relief program for the Moorabool River, agreed to by Barwon Water, the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) and Central Highlands Water, means that there will be sufficient flows to supply Meredith again. Carting of water to Meredith is not sustainable due to the high costs involved.

How much water is available Meredith residents?

Barwon Water has an allocation of 400 million litres of water in the Lal Lal Reservoir which will be used from the week of 19 October 2009 to supply Meredith residents for as long as is necessary. This may increase depending on future rainfall figures.

Will the water be safe to drink?

Yes. Water supplied to Meredith customers will continue to comply with the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (2004) and all relevant regulations.

Why does the water that is sourced from the Moorabool River taste and look different to the water carted in from Lethbridge?

Water from the Moorabool River has naturally higher levels of salinity and colour than the water being carted in from Lethbridge. The noticeable taste difference in the water is due to the salt content of the river water.

What is being done to protect the health of the Moorabool River?

The new relief program will significantly reduce the environmental risk to the river this summer and will help to maintain water quality and protect native flora and fauna populations that call the river home.

It includes a series of 80 million litre environmental flow releases to protect the health of the river downstream to She Oaks.

Central Highlands Water has provided an additional 320 million litres for environmental flows which will coincide with releases to supply Meredith residents.

The CCMA has 300 million litres of water stored in the Lal Lal reservoir to release between October 2009 and April 2010.

What is being done to secure a good quality water supply for Meredith in future?

In March 2009, the Barwon Water Board signed off on a $7.4 million project to improve water supply to Meredith by building a pipeline connecting Meredith to the Lethbridge tank, which is supplied by the Moorabool water treatment plant. This project has been brought forward and is being managed by the Barwon Water Alliance - a capital works partnership between Barwon Water, GHD and John Holland.

What does the project involve?

This project includes building a new pump station at the Lethbridge North tank on Medina Road (north of Lethbridge) and a new water pipeline (approximately 11 km) to connect Meredith to the Geelong water supply system

How much will the project cost?

The total estimated cost of the project is $7.8 million.

When will construction work begin?

Currently in design phase, construction of the pipeline is anticipated to commence in 2010 and will be completed by summer 2010/11.

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