Hunter Water is just 2 years into a 6 year infrastructure program in the area, having already upgraded the Neath Pumping Station, increased the capacity of Branxton Waste Water Treatment works from 5,000 to 13,000 people and connected high quality recycled water to The Vintage.

The nearly completed $5 million Cessnock Water Supply Upgrade will deliver immediate benefits by improving local water pressure and securing the water supply with a 5 million litre reservoir on Mount View Road.

Hunter Water’s Managing Director Kim Wood said the investment was about improving the service for Cessnock’s existing residents and preparing the area for growth.

“Cessnock is a boom area and we expect an additional 21,000 properties in the area to connect to Hunter Water over the next 20 years.

“Cessnock experienced the highest percentage of population growth of any local government area in the Hunter from 2006 to 2011. With the area’s population expected to double over the next few decades, Hunter Water is building now so that the housing supply is able to keep pace with the increase in population.

“By the time the current 6 year program is complete, Hunter Water will have invested $68 million in Cessnock alone. This will be a record level of investment by Hunter Water in the area.

“The Cessnock Water Supply Upgrade will deliver instant value for the community by addressing pressure issues in times of high demand, increasing the local storage capacity and linking the system with that at Maitland which will produce better reliability,” he said.

Other upcoming projects in Cessnock include a $6.8 million investment in pipes and pumps, a $6.3 million electrical upgrade to local pumping stations, and $1.5 million to improve the water and sewer control system.