SA Water is set to begin the installation of around 370m of new water main on the Yorke Peninsula, upgrading the pipes at Willamulka as part of the utility’s $155 million four-year water main management program.
The new pipe, which is being laid beneath Wembley Boundary Road, is among 47,000m of water mains going in the ground for SA Water customers across regional South Australia over 2022.
SA Water’s General Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure, Amanda Lewry, said the new pipe is made from PVC, which is renowned for being more resistant to soil movement compared to fibro-cement.
“Continuing to invest in upgrades to our water network, like here in Willamulka, is an important part of how we can deliver trusted water services for our customers,” Ms Lewry said.
“Despite soil movement and other environmental factors being major contributing factors to leaks and breaks in our state-wide network, our water main replacement program ensures we can proactively work to limit their frequency.
“With water mains having a lifespan of up to 100 years, these new pipes ensure we can continue to deliver clean, safe drinking water to local customers well into the future.”
Construction will take around four weeks to complete, with works typically occurring Monday to Friday between 7am and 5pm.
“For the safety of our people and the local community, we ask residents and road users to please take note of localised traffic management in place while the works are underway,” Ms Lewry said.
“We will also ensure our customers are notified of any temporary water supply interruptions that are necessary when we move their connections over from the old to new pipes.”
For more information on where SA Water is upgrading water mains around the state, take a look at the interactive map here.
