The town of Coonabarabran will benefit from increased water security thanks to the completion of a $2.2 million groundwater pipeline, which links three bores directly to the town’s water treatment plant.
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the new 8.25 kilometre pipeline, funded under the NSW Government’s Drought Stimulus Package, will increase the community’s drought resilience by providing a reliable alternative water source.
“Nothing is more important for our regional towns than access to a reliable and secure water source,” Mr Anderson said.
In 2018 the people of Coonabarabran faced a critical water shortage when their main water source, Timor Dam, dropped to just 18 per cent capacity.
“To safeguard the town’s water supply the NSW Government invested $1.7 million in three new bores creating a sustainable emergency bore supply system capable of supplying potable water to the town,” Mr Anderson said.
Minister for Western NSW Dugald Saunders said the newly completed pipeline links the bores to the water treatment plant, providing access to a backup water supply in the event of a break or outage of the main pipeline to Timor Dam.
“This new pipeline is a critical piece of infrastructure which guarantees secure access to clean and safe drinking water, should the water quality of Timor Dam be compromised during flooding or algae events,” Mr Saunders said.
“The community now has an alternative water supply for Coonabarabran residents and businesses to lean on during times of need.”
Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Ambrose Doolan said the completion of this project is great news for the township of Coonabarabran.
“The Coonabarabran Groundwater Pipeline Project involved the design and construction of an 8km long pipeline to transfer groundwater from three town water supply bores, which were developed as emergency water supplies during the drought, to the Coonabarabran Water Treatment Plant,” said Cr Doolan.
“This pipeline will run parallel to the existing main from Timor Dam, providing a dedicated groundwater supply to increase water sustainability, enabling a flexible supply from surface water and groundwater sources and improving the operation of the Water Treatment Plant.”
This pipeline was one of 52 projects delivered under the $170 million Drought Stimulus Package.
