Wivenhoe Pipeline operations pump towards water supply target

The Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is seeing positive results one year on from the opening of the Wivenhoe Pipeline, and is on track to deliver its water supply target.

Since pumping began on 1 April 2019, TRC Mayor, Paul Antonio, said the pipeline had pumped more than 12,000ML of water to the Toowoomba Bulk Water Supply.

“The pipeline has been a blessing for our region, allowing us to preserve our water supply during this ongoing drought,” Mr Antonio said.

“If we didn’t have this additional source of water, our region would be in a much more dire situation.”

Under the existing agreement, Council is able to pump 10,000ML each financial year.

“After commencing operation, we were able to pump 3,000ML of our allocation by the end of June 2019,” Mr Antonio said.

“Despite the dry conditions, pumping from Wivenhoe has helped plateau dam levels, which had been declining over the past decade.

“This has certainly eased pressure on our local dams and supported the region’s water sustainability, with dam levels currently at a combined total of 35 per cent.

“While the allocation we receive from Wivenhoe hasn’t fully replenished our dam levels, it has assisted the region in meeting a growing demand for a clean water supply.

“There is no doubt that without the pipeline, our water supply would have been pushed to the limit during this drought. It’s given water security to the region in a time when we needed it most and will continue to do so for many years to come.

“In addition to this, we need to continue working with both the State and Federal Governments and all other interested parties, including the private sector and irrigators across the region on our long-term water security planning.”

The pipeline is part of Council’s water storage plan, with Wivenhoe Dam acting as a fourth dam to supplement the Toowoomba Bulk Water Supply.

“This piece of infrastructure has allowed us to plan for dry conditions better and ensure water sustainability well into the future,” Mr Antonio said.

“This puts us in a position to better manage a growing population as we’re able to continue to provide a clean, safe water supply to residents.”

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