The $3 million Elmhurst Drinking Water Supply project is now complete, with the Pyrenees town now connected to Grampians Wimmera Mallee (GWM) Water’s supply network.
The project involved the construction of a new state of the art water treatment facility that will be supplying Elmhurst with fully treated drinking water supply straight from the tap – meaning residents will no longer need to rely on water from rainwater tanks or bottled water for drinking and cooking.
The new Elmhurst Water Treatment Plant – GWM Water’s first completely off-grid water treatment facility – features an 85kW solar array and battery storage, which provides enough renewable energy to power the treatment process, and a back-up generator if needed.
By not connecting to the electricity grid, it reduced the impacts on neighbouring properties and native vegetation during construction and provides for a more reliable cost-effective water supply for customers.
Elmhurst’s drinking water is sourced from the local catchment and treated in line with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
The project is part of the Victorian Government’s efforts to provide access to safe, high-quality drinking water straight from the tap – supporting rural communities to thrive and continue to grow.
GWMWater has also recently upgraded Ultima’s water supply to provide high-quality treated drinking water and is planning upgrades to water supply in Moyston, Kaniva, Berriwillock and Culgoa.
Victorian Minister for Water, Gayle Tierney, said that Elmhurst residents will no longer have to rely on rainwater tanks and bottled water for drinking, washing their vegetables and brushing their teeth.
“The new Elmhurst Water Treatment Plant is an innovative solution to provide drinking water to smaller regional communities without putting additional pressure on customers’ water bills,” Ms Tierney said.
GWMWater Managing Director, Mark Williams, said providing drinking water to townships in the region formed part of the organisation’s commitment to working for a thriving community.
“A reliable drinking water supply is essential for preserving the liveability of communities in our region. The completion of this project will guarantee that residents in Elmhurst have access to water that consistently meets high standards of clarity and quality,” he said.
“This also generally improves the life of appliances such as hot water services.”
Mr Williams said residents would be invited to attend community celebrations once details were confirmed.
Charges for a potable water supply for Elmhurst urban customers will be the same as other drinking water towns serviced by GWMWater.
More information about water quality, water supplies for townships within GWMWater’s service area and current projects, visit gwmwater.org.au/our-water-supply
