SA Water is preparing to spend big on new water mains for regional towns. 

Upgrades will flow across South Australia’s regions as part of SA Water's four-year, $155 million investment in its water main management program to improve services for customers.

Major regional centres and towns including Gawler, Loxton, Port Lincoln and Port Pirie have been earmarked to receive a share of around 47,000 metres of new water main, set to be installed throughout regional South Australia during the next 12 months.

“Through smart investment, these ongoing improvements to your regional water network will help sustain the infrastructure’s long-term reliability,” says SA Water’s General Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure Amanda Lewry.

“Replacing reticulated water mains – which connect larger distribution mains to customers’ service pipes – is only one component of our four-year, $1.6 billion capital program of water infrastructure upgrades.

“This program also includes upgrades to our larger pipelines and treatment plants.

“A safe, secure supply of water is central to public health and our social fabric, and underpins economic growth. Our water main upgrades across regional areas will ensure local residents and businesses can continue accessing their essential water services.

“We look forward to working together with our construction partners to deliver an investment in the services that support the prosperity of communities around South Australia.”

As work progresses, SA Water says it will ensure residents are given advance notice of any temporary water supply interruptions, which can be necessary when their connection is moved over to a new water main.

Each upgrade is expected to take an average of five weeks to complete.