Riverina Water County Council opened the $3.1 million reservoir that is seven metres tall and has a diameter of 33 metres.

The project was two years in the making and it supplies water to customers along RWCC’s southern rural trunk system from Wagga Wagga to Walla Walla.

RWCC Chair Greg Verdon said the infrastructure “guarantees a good, secure water supply for them well into the future”.

“It also allows for future expansion,” Mr Verdon said.

“It services Lockhart shire, Greater Hume shire and Federation, which was the old Urana shire.”

Engineering director Bede Spanngale said the it replaces the Willans Hill supply.

“It’s part replacement, part improvement,” Mr Spannagle said.

“So the rural residents from here down to Walla Walla and all those in between will have a more reliable supply and better pressure.

“It’s about ensuring supply over the long term, particularly in the summer months.

“As we go further into this drought, it’s important for our rural customers to know that they’ve got stock water when they need it.”

The project encountered a few challenges on its way to completion, including the location’s terrain and weather conditions.

“Initially we had a some issues with the rocks, but we worked through that,” Mr Spannagle said.

“[During] the construction of the tank, we had some problems with rain when we were pouring concrete so we had some delays there.

“But the ultimate goal was to get it online before summer and we’ve achieved that.”

Wagga city councillors also attended.​