Pipeline will secure town's future
Construction has started on a new pipeline connecting Manjimup to the Bridgetown Regional Water Supply Scheme, which it is hoped will provide a long term solution to Manjimup’s water supply security.
The 49km pipeline will extract up to 1.09 gigalitres of water per year during periods of low rainfall.
Water Corporation South West regional business manager Scott Moorhead said when completed, Manjimup would join other towns which are guaranteed a secure water supply.
“The water will come from the Nannup groundwater bore, 6km outside Nannup,” he said.
“The Water Corporation has a licence from the Department of Water to extract 1.09 gigalitres of water annually from this bore and we are using it as a supplementary source.”
Mr Moorhead said the Manjimup and Phillips Creek dams would continue to be the principal water supply sources for Manjimup.
The new pipeline would provide an extra layer of water supply security into the future.
Mr Moorhead’s comments follow Water Minister Bill Marmion’s recent announcement the stage six water restrictions in place in Manjimup since September were expected to be lifted this weekend.
The Minister said residents would now revert to the two-day per week sprinkler roster which was introduced by the State Government in October 2007.
It was part of Statewide water efficiency measures to reduce water consumption.
“Restrictions were introduced in September following a persistent drying climate, which left local dam levels as low as 25 per cent,” he said.
“The restrictions, in conjunction with a major effort by local residents to save water, input from two supplementary water sources and reasonable recent rains, have boosted dam levels.”
However, Mr Marmion also urged residents to continue water saving measures, and announced a $1000 rainwater tank rebate would be made available from December for towns across the Warren Blackwood region.
Manjimup shire president Wade De Campo said the lifting of water restrictions and construction of the pipeline were positive steps for the future of Manjimup shire.
This pipeline is expected to be operational by winter 2013.
