Community
28 August, 2024
New bore moves ahead
THE construction of a new bore at the Port Campbell Water Treatment Plant is well underway.
Wannon Water is drilling the bore to provide additional security of supply to customers in Port Campbell, Timboon, Peterborough and at the 12 Apostles Visitor Centre.
The existing bore was installed in 1996 and is now halfway through its expected lifespan.
Project manager Jen Lea said the project was part of Wannon Water’s proactive approach to maintaining its assets.
“It will ensure we can continue to provide reliable, secure services for the community for decades to come,” she said.
Ms Lea said the project reached a critical phase last week with contractors installing the bore casing and then grouting it in place.
She said the casing is a metal tube that stabilises the bore hole and each segment needed to be welded onto the next before it was lowered into the hole.
This protects the quality of water and integrity of the bore as it draws water from the aquifer.
“There were some noise impacts and some minor traffic disruptions as a result of the work, which was unavoidable as the site is close to the town centre,” Ms Lea said.
“We’d really like to thank the local community for their support and patience during this period.”
The water treatment plant was offline while the bore casing work took place.
One more shutdown is scheduled for up to three days next week to allow screens to be installed within the aquifer.
Wannon Water relies on its water storages to supply customers during that period, with balancing across the network.
“With the reduced storage capacity available, it’s particularly important that locals report any water leaks or burst mains to our 24/7 phone number 1300 926 666 so we can repair them as a priority,” Ms Lea said.
Water carters have also been asked to use alternative standpipes to source water until mid-September.
Another noticeable part of the project will be the installation of a temporary lay-flat pipe that will extend for more than two kilometres along the side of the Great Ocean Road and the Cobden-Port Campbell Road.
This will take water used during the flushing and development phase of the new bore to another network for treatment.
Ms Lea said highly visible and user-friendly ramps would be installed to allow vehicles to access properties along the temporary pipeline route, and for pedestrians and cyclists where the pipe crossed the Port Campbell to Timboon trail.
The bore is due to be commissioned by the end of September.