Upgrade to Fish River water supply on track

7 February 2012

The $8 million Fish River Water Supply (FRWS) pipeline project being managed by State Water is on track for completion in mid-year.

3.7 kilometres (km) of ageing concrete pipes between the Duckmaloi Water Treatment Plant and Rydal Dam is being replaced with steel pipes in the project which began in July, 2011.

State Water project manager Janaka Weeraratne said he was pleased with progress over the past six months.

“Construction of 3.2km of pipeline has been completed so we now have a further 500 metres to complete as well as the connections,” Mr Weeraratne said. “The site is particularly steep in parts with slopes of around 40 degrees so a winching system and welded pipes have been used to work around the challenges of the terrain.”

The project has also been subject to challenges including working next to a high-pressure, live water main and minimising interruptions to water supply for Fish River customers.

“We have been able to limit interruptions by introducing a bypass system and arranging alternative supplies,” he said.

TCM Civil was engaged by State Water to carry out construction and Tyco Water has supplied the cement-lined, steel pipe. NSW Water Solutions of the Office of Public Works and Services designed the works and the project is funded by FRWS customers.

State Water’s ongoing work to upgrade the FRWS includes progress in developing a hazard management system to oversee drinking water quality.

A key component of this is the development of a management plan for the system in line with Australian drinking water guidelines, which will address the operation, maintenance and incident management procedures for the system.

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