Connection process to begin for new dam to water treatment plant pipeline

Townsville residents will need to restrict their water consumption from May 20 while a vital water security project is brought online. Read why.

Townsville residents have been asked to restrict their water consumption for five weeks while the finishing touches are put on $60m Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline Duplication.

Built in 1971, the original pipeline between Ross Dam and the Douglas Water Treatment Plant, burst in 2020, highlighting the need for a reliable connection for 85 per cent of the city’s water supply.

Work began on the $60m Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline Duplication project in August 2022, with Townsville City Council crews completing the final stage to connect the 9.5km pipeline between May 20 and June 25.

During this time, water will be temporarily pumped from the Black Weir catchment section of Ross River, with public access to the river prohibited between the weir and Gollogly Lane in Condon.

During the construction of the Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline Duplication. Picture: TCC.

Deputy Mayor Paul Jacob said establishing these connections were the “final piece of the puzzle” for a project which will support the city’s water security over the next 80 years.

“Council’s projects and operations teams have completed extensive preparations for this final stage of the project, and we need the Townsville community to lend a hand by conserving their water use in the lead-up and throughout the short duration of the pipeline connection,” Mr Jacob said.

Townsville City Council's water general manager Travis Richards and Deputy Mayor Paul Jacob have urged residents to cut back on water consumption while the Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline Duplication was completed. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“Under level two measures throughout the connection process it’s advised households only use sprinklers between 6pm and 8pm using the odds and evens system and handheld water at any time.

From May 20, he asked the community to keep their outdoor water use to a minimum by turning off automatic irrigation systems, using handheld nozzles, buckets for washing vehicles, and limiting washing any outdoor hard surfaces.

Map of the 9.5km Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline project. Supplied: Townsville City Council.

Council’s General Manager Water Travis Richards described the final stage of the project as “isolating, disconnecting, and then recommissioning the new line as it comes in”.

He reassured the community that they would continue to produce safe, reliable water, despite drawing it from a different source, where a small amount of water would be released from the dam to supplement the river.

Once the project was completed, he said the original pipeline running under Riverway Drive, would be decommissioned, clearing the way for the long-awaited Riverway Drive Stage Two upgrade.

The Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline Renewal was funded by the state government in partnership with Townsville City Council.

For more information, visit the council’s website.

Originally published as Connection process to begin for new dam to water treatment plant pipeline