Storage levels not affected by upgrades

State Water's $350 million dam safety upgrade program will have no bearing on water levels of the eight storages currently undergoing flood security works.

Michael Jeffery, General Manager - Major Projects, today assured residents in the regions surrounding the dams that the projects would have no bearing on the dam’s capacities.

“We have been contacted by members of the community who have expressed concern that the flood secuirty works would affect the storage level of the dams during construction," Mr Jeffery said.

"The upgrades are for improving safety of the dams during extreme floods only and I want to assure the community that at no time during the construction or after completion of the upgrade will the operation of the dam be affected.

“All State Water dams are safe for normal filling and spilling, and works programs and construction methods are designed to enable normal filling and supply from dams during the construction phases.

“The upgrade works have already generated local jobs during the construction periods, and we have seen flow on benefit local firms and suppliers."

Safety upgrades are currently being undertaken at Copeton, Keepit, Chaffey and Spilt Rock dams in the north, Burrendong and Wyangala dams in central NSW and Blowering and Hume dams in the south of the state.

The projects are progressing to schedule and when completed will allow the dams to pass extreme floods safely.

-ENDS-
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