Candowie Reservoir to double in size

Construction to double the holding capacity of Candowie Reservoir is well underway….read more

Construction to double the holding capacity of Candowie Reservoir is well underway, Managing Director Murray Jackson announced today.

 

“Candowie Reservoir, located in the Bass Hills of Almurta, supplies water to communities within Westernport Water’s region around the South East of Westernport Bay,” Mr Jackson said.

 

Commissioned in 1964, the reservoir’s original capacity was raised from 1,037ML (Megalitres) to 1,761ML in 1978, and then to its current capacity of 2,263ML in 1982.

 

The number of flood events on Tennant Creek over recent years prompted Westernport Water to seek approval for a bulk entitlement to increase storage in Candowie Reservoir from 2263ML to 4463ML.  In accepting the increased storage, Westernport Water will be required to provide environmental flows downstream of Candowie Reservoir.

 

“In addition to Tennant Creek supply, the Candowie Reservoir is supplied by pumping water from the Bass River, the Corinella Borefields or if needed from Melbourne pool water stored in Cardinia Reservoir,” explains Mr Jackson.

 

The Candowie Upgrade Project is a key component in Westernport Water’s Water Supply Demand Strategy, providing water for the region until 2055.

 

“Main elements of the project are to extend and raise the dam wall, raise the outlet tower and spillway.   Existing reservoir infrastructure will also be upgraded to improve earthquake safety and surveillance,” Mr Jackson said.

 

Westernport Water will also carry out perimeter works including clearing of trees subject to inundation, construction of a reservoir perimeter access road, raising and upgrading of an 800m section of the Grantville-Glen Alvie Road and creating a vegetated buffer zone around the reservoir to improve water quality.

 

Project Manager, Chaminda Jayasena explains “The timing for construction over summer has been planned to align with the period when the reservoir is naturally at its lowest level.”

 

Mr Jayasena, indicated the project is progressing according to plan, “if we have no unexpected delays we should meet our scheduled completion date of July 2013, in time for the winter rains.”