SA Water’s Tailem Bend to Keith Pipeline has commenced a major upgrade as part of the utility’s $5.8 million investment to secure water services for customers in the state’s Murray Mallee and South East regions.
Four of the pipeline’s original 3.5t valves will be replaced as part of the project, and a further three new valves and bypass pipework are also planned for installation in Coonalpyn, Culburra and Tintinara to improve water supply management to the towns.
Celebrating its 50th birthday in 2023, the pipeline is 138km long and transfers large volumes of safe, clean drinking water – produced at the Tailem Bend Water Treatment Plant located on the banks of the River Murray – to around 3,000 homes and businesses.
SA Water’s Senior Manager of Capital Delivery, Peter Seltsikas, said installing the new valves and pipework along these sections of the pipeline will enable water to keep flowing in the event of planned maintenance shutdowns.
“Residents and businesses across regional South Australia depend on our Tailem Bend to Keith Pipeline for their drinking water, and this project ensures it can continue supplying them for generations to come,” Mr Seltsikas said.
“The pipeline’s valves are critical to its operation, as they enable sections to be temporarily isolated if we need to perform maintenance or replace a piece of pipe.”
