28/6/00
Water supply to the Albany-Mt Barker region will be boosted by about 15 per cent this winter as four new bores come into production.
Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames said today that the new bores were needed because the Lower Great Southern Water Supply (LGSWS) scheme was operating close to capacity.
“The bores will help the scheme meet growth in demand from domestic and commercial consumers through to 2003,” Dr Hames said.
“The work will cost about $500,000 with funding included in the Water Corporation’s capital works budget for 2000-2001.”
Dr Hames said this would complete the water supply project at a total cost of $2.5 million.
The funding was part of a $13 million Water Corporation capital works budget for work in the Great Southern Region in 2000-2001.
The LGSWS draws water from the south coastal borefield, Angove Creek, Bolganup Dam and Limeburners Creek to supply Albany, Mt Barker, Kendenup, Narrikup and farmlands along the Plantaganet main pipeline.
Dr Hames said a water source plan released by the Corporation in December,1998 recommended the supply be augmented to meet future demand. It suggested that the augmentation work would also protect the existing borefield from seawater intrusion through possible long-term over-abstraction, and eliminate the possible need for water restrictions.
The project involves the drilling and equipping of four bores at Werillup to produce about 800,000 kilolitres per year, and construction of a five-kilometre pipe to connect with the existing borefield system.
Media contact:
Caroline Lacy 9424 7450.
Water Corporation: Phil Kneebone 9420 2420
