Riverina Water plans to take four months to replace the 40 to 50-year-old system with improved 200mm pipes. 

The pipe system services rural and domestic residents located in the Lockhart Shire Council region. 

“We are taking the opportunity to upgrade it because it is old and has had a lot of breaks,” said Riverina Water director of engineering Bede Spannagle. “We are replacing and upgrading the pipeline from The Rock to Milbrulong,” he said. 

The aim was to improve flow to customers along that route. 

“The pressure will not change, it is controlled by reservoirs but the flow in hot periods and the middle of summer will be better for rural customers who are using it for stock water on top of normal domestic usage,” he said. 

Residents driving past would have seen the characteristic blue pipes, which are being used in the project, sitting on the side of the road.

These pipes which are UPVC will replace the old polyethylene ones. 

Mr Spannagle said the UPVC pipes had more longevity. 

He said the large-scale project, which started on Monday, was supported by two crews and internal staff. 

It was estimated that the new materials which are being used could give the pipeline a longevity of 80 to 100 years. 

“This project is one of the biggest rural replacements that we have done in (the last) five years,” he said. 

Lockhart Shire Council general manager Peter Veneris welcomed the upgrade being undertaken by Riverina Water.

“Council supports this important project which will ensure water supply and quality to shire residents,” Mr Veneris said. 

He said council had also provided assistance to the project in respect to the assessment of roadside vegetation.