The jointly funded $30 million upgrade and expansion of Southern Water’s Huon Valley water supply infrastructure has been given the go ahead.

 

The project will aim to provide reliable and sustainable drinking water to local communities through the Huon valley Regional Water Scheme, which will significantly improve the region’s long-term water security and return nearly one billion litres of water to the environment.

 

Officially opening the Scheme today, Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water joined the Federal Member for Franklin, Julie Collins MP, and said the new infrastructure would draw water from a single, sustainable water source – the Huon River.

 

“Drawing water from the Huon River will ensure water supplies to communities in the Huon Valley region consistently meet Australian Drinking Water Standards,” Senator Farrell said.

 

“This new infrastructure will supply a total of 13 million litres of high-quality water per day to customers in the Huon Valley, including Franklin, Castle Forbes Bay, Geeveston and Cygnet, as well as meeting increased demand as the population grows in the region.

 

“By using the Huon River as the primary water source, almost one billion litres of water will now flow back to creeks and rivulets in stressed catchment areas. This will provide environmental benefits, including restoration of water quality and catchment health, which will promote greater biodiversity in the waterways.”

 

enator Farrell said the Scheme includes a new water treatment plant in Glen Huon, installation of associated town pumping stations, reservoirs and the laying of over 42 kilometres of pipe.