Water sources
Candowie Reservoir
Candowie catchment is a sub catchment of the Bass Catchment. It is approximately 1,900 hectares with an estimated 25km of waterline. An open catchment which is privately owned and Westernport Water does not have direct control or management over the land servicing the reservoir. Tennent Creek is the main tributary through the catchment that feeds Candowie and a minor tributary the Tozar Creek which enters the Tennent Creek prior to entering the reservoir.
The reservoir was commissioned in 1964 with a capacity of 1130ML, which was then raised 1.68 meters in 1978 to a capacity of 1737 ML and raised a further 0.80meters in 1982 to a capacity of 2264 ML which remains the capacity of the reservoir today.
Servicing over 16,000 customers across an area of 300 square kilometers on Phillip Island and the mainland stretching from The Gurdies to Archies Creek.
From the Bass Hills to your tap; we explore a water supply evolution - Water Supply Retrospective History Article (190 KB)
Raising the water supply level at Candowie Reservoir
At present the Candowie Reservoir stores enough water to meet one year’s demand. Westernport Water’s major capital project is to augment Candowie Reservoir by raising the water supply level. This will effectively double the yield and allow us to meet two or more years demand. Being able to store greater volumes enables Westernport Water to manage the system better and to overcome periods of low water supply. This project is subject to State Government approval. Westernport Water will submit a business case to the Department of Sustainability and Environment towards the end of 2010.
Bores
The Corinella aquifer, a system of bores, was identified as an alternative water supply during the 2006 drought. The aquifer was under-utilised with a small number of farm bores using only 300 megalitres (ML) of a borefield with a yield of 2400ML. Westernport Water has constructed three production bores and a new supply pipeline that will be used to augment surface water to Candowie Reservoir. Several pumping tests of the underground water reserves have been conducted to ensure that Westernport Water does not interfere with other users, or adversely affect the bores and the surrounding environment.
Bass River
Sourcing water from the Bass River to augment the water supply at Candowie Reservoir has been a long-term project. Westernport Water completed extensive environmental studies and flow studies on the Bass River to assist in determining excess flows in the river above environmental needs, and the needs of irrigators and farms on the river. A bulk entitlement for the Bass River was issued by the Minister for Water to Westernport Water in August 2009. This allows Westernport Water to pump water at a rate up to 25ML per day from the Bass River (if required) provided that an environmental flow exceeding 40ML remains in the river at all times. Read more about bulk entitlements by downloading this bulk entitlement information document pdf (44 KB).