Balladonia - one of the State's most remote communities located 350 kilometres south-east of Kalgoorlie - today celebrated the opening of a new water supply, ending years of problems caused by severe water shortages.
Water Resources Minister Ernie Bridge said completion of the $236,000 project was a credit to the tiny community - comprising six pastoral stations and a roadhouse - which contributed $66,000 to the cost.
He also congratulated the Water Authority which had to work through a range of difficulties to bring the project to fruition.
"The end result is a secure and reliable water supply which will ease the very great hardship experienced by Balladonia residents over many years," Mr Bridge said.
This included a number of very dry years, necessitating water carting from Norseman.
In 1990, after being approached by the community, Mr Bridge flew to Balladonia to inspect the situation and immediately set in train a thorough investigation by the Water Authority of options to overcome the problems.
Everything from dams to desalination of bore water was looked at, with detailed investigations carried out into groundwater options, catchment modelling and soil testing for dam site suitability.
The final project involved construction of three 20,000 cubic metre dams, roaded catchments and drains, pipeline and storage tanks.
"Many Western Australians, used to easy access to reliable, good-quality water, would find it hard to envisage the problems severe water shortages can place on a community," Mr Bridge said.
"Water is such a precious resource, yet one which most of us take for granted. I doubt that will ever be the case in Balladonia after so many years of hardship. Water here is like liquid gold, and I am very pleased to have been able to help the community achieve this new water supply."
