East Gippsland Water recently began construction on an exciting new water storage project in Buchan, which is set to provide the township with improved water quality and supply capability well into the future.
Neville Pearce, general manager of sustainability and infrastructure at East Gippsland Water (EGW), said the Water Security for Buchan project centres on the construction of a new 700kL tank – along with associated pumps, pipes and infrastructure – at a site adjacent to the existing riverside EGW Water Treatment Plant in Lousadas Road, Buchan.
Mr Pearce said part of the $5.81m project includes removing Buchan’s current “aging and deteriorating” concrete water storage tanks, which are situated on a hilltop within the Buchan Caves Reserve.
“Buchan’s current water storage system is comprised of 14 concrete water tanks that were constructed in the 1970s,” he said.
“Some of these old tanks have experienced considerable degradation and are leaking millions of litres of water every year, despite multiple attempts at repair.
“Once the new system is in place, these old tanks will be decommissioned, removed and recycled.
“We will then explore the opportunity to work with the Traditional Owners and Parks Victoria to return the site to the Buchan Caves Reserve, with the site to be rehabilitated to suit the natural surrounding environment.”
At a community launch event at the site on Tuesday, July 8, Mr Pearce said some of the “many advantages” of the new Buchan water-storage system will include:
– A more resilient, reliable and secure water supply for the community
– Increased water supply capacity for Buchan (700kL, up from 650kL)
– Reduced maintenance and improved
water quality
– A single, compact footprint for EGW’s Buchan water supply and treatment operations leading to increased efficiencies, as well as improved environmental outcomes for Buchan Caves Reserve.
Mr Pearce said this project received $1.905 million in Australian Government funding through the National Water Grid’s Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER) funding initiative.
The project will be delivered in partnership with East Gippsland Water, which is contributing the remaining $3.905m of funding to bring the project to life.
“We are thankful for the support provided by the Australian and Victorian governments, which has enabled us to embark on a project that will ensure Buchan enjoys an ample supply of fresh, clean drinking water for decades to come,” he said.
The project is slated for completion by the end of 2026.
