Latest news blog
Northern Water Plant construction update
Work on the biggest project in Barwon Water's history, the Northern Water Plant, is progressing well. More than one third of construction is now complete.
All of the major earthworks are finished, the buildings and concrete structures are taking shape, and the construction of two new off-site pump stations is underway.
By Christmas, construction works are expected to be around 50% complete, and the buildings will reach ‘lock-up' stage.
Building fit-out and off-site pump station will be finalised over summer.
The facility is being built by John Holland with a peak workforce of around 100 on-site personnel.
The Northern Water Plant is expected to be complete in mid-2012, with recycled water due to be available in 2013.
Fats overflow sewer
A blocked sewer main overflowed in Waurn Ponds this morning.
Our crews were dispatched shortly after the spill was reported at Chenin Mews, Waurn Ponds, earlier today.
The blockage, caused by a build up of fats in the pipe, has now been cleared.
A small amount of sewage flowed into the nearby Waurn Ponds Creek. We have taken water quality samples and erected warning signs at the site. As a precaution, residents should avoid contact with the creek water.
Fats, oils, food scraps, medicines and toiletries often accumulate in the sewerage system and can cause odours, blockages and overflows. We ask our customers to dispose of these items in their household rubbish – not down the drain or toilet.
Customers can report overflows, burst and leaks to us on 1300 656 007, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Expressions of interest open for community reference group
The Black Rock environmental precinct being development at Connewarre incorporates the existing Black Rock treatment facility and recycled water demonstration farm, plus new infrastructure including a Class A recycled water plant, biosolids drying facility and more.
We are looking for interested customers, stakeholders and community members to join our new Black Rock Community Reference Group.
This group will be a sounding board for community concerns and expectations, and is a key component of our commitment to community engagement.
Ideally, members will be representative of local community and/or environmental groups, and interested individuals from the surrounding area.
If you would like to become a member or find out more, please contact us.
Heavy rain in our region
Excessive rain in the Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula areas over the weekend has overloaded our sewerage pipes and resulted in some overflows into the stormwater drainage.
As a precaution, we advise people to not swim in rivers or the bay and avoid stormwater outlets for the next few days.
Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant open day cancelled due to wet weather
We regret that the Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant open day, advertised for tomorrow, Sunday 27 November 2011, has been cancelled.
We have been forced to cancel this event due to constant and heavy rain throughout today (Saturday).
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Anglesea sewer pipeline drilling begins
Construction of a new sewerage pipeline beneath the Anglesea River has begun.
A drilling rig has been set up in Coogoorah Park, on the west side of the river, and is tunneling 12.5 metres below the deepest point of the river. 12 metre lengths of pipe are being laid out on the east side of the river (along Bingley Parade) and will be welded together to form one continuous 330 metre pipe.
Rigorous environmental controls are in place to ensure minimal impact on the river and Coogoorah Park. Once the bore is complete, the pipe will be attached to the drill and pulled under the river. The new pipe will then be connected to the existing sewerage system.
The pipeline will transfer recycled water from Aireys Inlet and sewage from west Anglesea to the nearby water reclamation plant. It will replace a damaged sewer main discovered leaking in August.
The project is on track to be completed before Christmas, in time for the peak holiday season.
Media release: Anglesea sewer pipeline drilling underway
Barwon Water requests price adjustment
Barwon Water is seeking to adjust its prices for 2012–2013 to help pay for the construction and commissioning of the Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline.
We will apply to the independent Essential Services Commission (ESC) for approval to increase prices by an additional 3.5% on 1 July 2012 to recoup more than half the cost of the $80 million project.
The increase would be on top of a 7% (plus CPI) increase already approved by the ESC as part of our 2008 Water Plan.
Our Board yesterday endorsed a formal application to the ESC to re-open our 2008 Water Plan price determination.
If approved by the ESC, a 3.5% increase would equate to about 67 cents a week for a typical customer using 165 kilolitres of water a year.
We intend to fund the remaining costs of the pipeline through debt and improved business efficiencies.
What are the benefits of the Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline?
The Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline will provide a back-up drought resource for greater Geelong's water supply by connecting Geelong to Melbourne's water system. The pipeline will ultimately have the capacity to deliver up to 16 billion litres of water a year for the region, equivalent to half our current usage.
The pipeline is not expected to be needed for several years because of recent water security initiatives such as the Northern Water Plant and Anglesea Borefield.
How the price increase will help
Adjusting prices by 3.5% will help recover a portion of the pipeline project costs sooner than anticipated.
Cost recovery would be restricted to a single year, reducing the impact on our customers. It would also ensure prices in the next Water Plan (2013–2018) are kept to a minimum.
Helping our customers in hardship
We are aware that price increases can cause hardship to our customers, particularly at a time when other essential services are becoming more expensive.
We therefore have a range of hardship schemes in place to help customers and to ease the impact of a price increase. These include:
- concession card and pensioner card discounts
- utilities relief grants to help those customers experiencing a temporary financial crisis
- payment plans to assist in paying bills weekly, fortnightly, monthly or otherwise.
We also provide rebates on a range of water saving products that help customers reduce their water use.
Media release: Move to recover project costs
Explosives required for rock blast
Construction crews working on the Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline will use explosives to break through a section of hard granite rock on Friday 18 November 2011.
Residents east of the You Yangs may hear a blast during the course of the day. We anticipate that just one blast will be required to loosen the rock and it will be over in a matter of seconds.
Control measures will be put in place to ensure the blast is conducted safely.
Motorists in the vicinity of Little River may experience delays of up to 15 minutes.
Model water restrictions by-law: have your say
The Victorian Government Minister for Water has released a draft model water restrictions by-law for possible adoption by Victorian water corporations, including Barwon Water.
The draft model by-law is the result of a state-wide review, and aims to establish consistent restrictions across Victoria, and incorporate what has been leaned from 5 years of drought.
Good rainfall, new infrastructure and excellent water-saving behaviour have significantly reduced the potential need for water restrictions across most of our region for now and the foreseeable future.
To download a copy of the proposed model by-law and have your say on the changes, visit the Department Of Sustainability and Environment website.
Department of Sustainability and Environment: model water restrictions by-law
Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant open day - cancelled
Our Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant is opening its doors to the public.
This facility treats some 50 million litres of residential and industrial sewage every day of the year, and produces recycled water for irrigating crops, golf courses and more.
The Black Rock environmental precinct will soon be home to a new biosolids drying plant and a new recycled water plant.
The new Black Rock Recycled Water Plant will supply high quality recycled water to new residential developments at Armstrong Creek and Torquay North.
Join us for a guided tour of the facility and learn about our exciting plans for the future.
| When: |
11 am — 3 pm Sunday 27 November 2011 |
| Where: |
Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant Black Rock Road, Connewarre (Google map) |