The township of Elmhurst will now enjoy a fully treated drinking water supply straight from the tap.
Supplying the town with drinking water means residents no longer need to rely on their rainwater tanks or packaged water for drinking and food preparation.
Water is sourced from a local catchment and treated at the newly constructed Elmhurst Water Treatment Plant in accordance with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
This facility is GWMWater’s first entirely off-grid water treatment plant. During the project’s planning phase, a Stand-Alone Power System using renewable energy at the site was proposed to reduce land access needs for a grid-connected supply and provide a more reliable water supply without increasing customers’ costs. This design was recognised at the 2024 Australian Water Association (AWA) Victoria Water Awards, with GWMWater winning the Regional Innovative Infrastructure Project Award.
GWMWater Managing Director Mark Williams said providing drinking water to townships in the region formed part of the organisation’s commitment to working for a thriving community.
“A reliable drinking water supply is essential for preserving the liveability of communities in our region. The completion of this project will guarantee that residents in Elmhurst have access to water that consistently meets high standards of clarity and quality,” he said.
“This also generally improves the life of appliances such as hot water services.”
Mr Williams said residents would be invited to attend community celebrations once details were confirmed.
Charges for a potable water supply for Elmhurst urban customers will be the same as those for other drinking water towns serviced by GWMWater.
For more information about water quality, water supplies for townships within GWMWater’s service area and current projects, visit gwmwater.org.au/our-water-supply
Image: Kim Britten/stock.adobe.com
