Seqwater to begin $1.5 million water pipe upgrade

Seqwater is set to commence a $1.5 million upgrade on two important water pipes, including the replacement of four valves, which supply water from Mount Crosby Treatment Plant to Brisbane and Ipswich.

Queensland Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, said these pipes are some of the hardest working in the network, carrying millions of litres of water to residents and businesses across South East Queensland.

“The work will involve taking a 4km section of the pipes at Barnes Hill offline temporarily to replace four valves which are reaching the end of their service life,” Mr Butcher said.

“Up to 60 per cent of the water supply for Brisbane and Ipswich passes through these valves every day, so this work is critical to the ongoing supply of safe drinking water for the region.

“This work demonstrates our focus on investing in water infrastructure and the longevity of the SEQ Water Grid.”

Mr Butcher said Seqwater will carry out the first stage of the work in early June, where a trial will be carried out which will involve temporarily isolating the pipes to carry out network checks to help plan the works.

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer, Neil Brennan, said Seqwater and Urban Utilities were working together to ensure water supply was maintained during the trial and valve replacement works.

“On average, around 400 million litres of water flows through the pipes at Barnes Hill every day,” Mr Brennan said.

“We’ll be working with Urban Utilities to supply water from other parts of the network to minimise impacts for residents and businesses.”

Urban Utilities spokesperson, Michelle Cull, said some properties in Brisbane and Ipswich may experience reduced or low water pressure during the trial and valve replacement works.

“It is also possible customers in some suburbs may notice their water has a different taste or smell as they will receive water from supply locations they don’t typically get water from during the trial and valve replacement works,” Ms Cull said.

“These changes will be temporary, and the water remains safe to drink.”

No homes or businesses should experience a loss of water during the trial or the valve replacement works.

Following the trial, a date will be set for the valve replacement project in July 2021.

For more information and the list of suburbs that may see potential impacts visit www.seqwater.com.au/project/barnes-hill or www.urbanutilities.com.au/BarnesHill.

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