WATER supply for south-west consumers will be bolstered with a $2.3 million bore project at Curdievale to serve as a back-up for Warrnambool, Allansford and Koroit.
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The 800-metre deep shaft will tap into a large aquifer and have a 50-year lifespan.
Wannon Water managing director Grant Green said the bore would not only protect supply for the Otway system, but secure an extra source to meet projected long-term increase in demand.
“In emergencies, such as wildfire affecting quality of water in the Gellibrand catchment, Wannon Water will be able to bring the bore online and access its 2150-megalitre groundwater entitlement to maintain supply until upstream quality improves,” he said.
“The alternative supply would meet much of Warrnambool’s demand, freeing up resources for other towns supplied by the North Otway Pipeline.”
He described the new bore as an investment in the future as it would eventually augment Warrnambool’s supply to meet expected growth.
The new bore being constructed by contractor Drilltec will be deeper than those used by local farmers and not affect their flow, Mr Green said.
It will be connected to the south Otway pipeline which runs adjacent to the bore site.
Works are scheduled to be completed by September.
The Otway system already sources water from the Gellibrand River and Arkins Creek catchments to supply Warrnambool, Allansford, Koroit, Cobden, Camperdown, Glenormiston, Lismore, Derrinallum, Terang, Mortlake, Noorat, Purnim and Simpson via the north and south Otway pipelines.