I’ve recently responded to a number of complaints via social media regarding the quality and taste of the water supplied along the coastal strip from the Kalkie Water Treatment Plant (WTP). As previously advised, Council has now commenced the project to connect its WTP at Mellifont Street, East Bundaberg to the Kalkie plant which (I’m advised) will greatly improve the quality.
This morning the Council issued the following Media Release in relation to the project…..
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PIPELINE UNDERWAY
Work has begun on a backup pipeline to the Kalkie Water Treatment Plant to improve the quality of water supply to coastal residents.
The construction of a pipeline between the Bundaberg City Water network and the Kalkie Water Treatment Plant began on 19 January and will provide major quality benefits, in addition to securing water for coastal customers currently supplied from the Kalkie Plant and distributed via the Hummock Reservoir.
Cr Alan Bush, Council’s Water and Wastewater portfolio spokesperson said the initial 2.8 kilometres of pipe laying work currently being undertaken by Council staff would span a period of 20 weeks and have minimal impact on local residents in the construction area.
“This pipeline, which will cost $2 million and measure four kilometres in length, will be funded over two years. Following the construction of the initial 2.8 kilometres of pipe, the remaining 1.2 kilometres of pipe will be laid in the 2015/16 financial year.”
“About 11,000 coastal residents will benefit from Bundaberg Regional Council’s decision to construct a backup pipeline to the Kalkie Water Treatment Plant.
“The current supply servicing coastal communities between Burnett Heads and Elliott Heads is drawn from an open channel utilising water from the Burnett River.
“In the event of this supply being disrupted it would cause major distribution inconvenience to our coastal customers.
“There have been complaints from coastal residents regarding the hardness of the water from the Kalkie plant. The new pipeline will allow the mixing of water from two sources – the river and underground – resulting in an improved product for customers.”
ENDS