SA Water will replace water mains in Port Augusta and Blackwood as part of a $137 million investment to replace around 375,000m of water mains across the state between 2016 and 2020.
More than 610m of new pipe will be laid in the Port Augusta CBD under Commercial Road, between Church Street and El Alamein Road, and along Chapel and Gibson Street from Short Street to Wharflands Esplanade.
SA Water will also replace around 280m of water main under Young Street in Blackwood, between Melton and Waite Street, to reduce the impact of water main breaks on residents, local businesses and the area’s road users.
SA Water’s General Manager of Asset Operations and Delivery, Mark Gobbie, said the sections of pipe were prioritised for replacement after recent breaks and leaks.
“We can’t completely stop breaks and leaks from happening, because they’re often triggered by weather or soil movements, but we’re fully committed to reducing their incidence and impact on our customers,” Mr Gobbie said.
“The new pipes will be made of PVC, which is flexible and more resistant to the movement caused by the area’s reactive clay soils compared to the existing, rigid cast iron and fibro-cement pipes.”
