Dunedoo heads toward better drinking water
A major improvement to the quality of Dunedoo’s drinking water is in the works thanks to a partnership between the NSW Government and Warrumbungle Shire Council that will kickstart investigations into ways to improve the town’s water infrastructure.
The $1.2 million investment will look at the most viable options for overhauling the water network which is over 100 years old and uses chlorination to treat water from a primary and secondary bore located along the Talbragar River.
An upgrade will ensure water is treated to a much higher standard and meets modern Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) to deliver safer and more secure water for decades to come.
This early phase will look at different infrastructure solutions including a new water treatment plant with an automated dosing and telemetry system, new bores, upgraded disinfection technology and additional treatment processes depending on the quality of the bore water.
The concept design is expected to be complete by December 2026 and will bring the project to tender ready stage.
It comes on top of the $3.4 million Dunedoo wastewater upgrade that is currently underway with 75 per cent of the funding coming from the NSW Government.
The project is funded under the NSW Safe and Secure Water Program which addresses at-risk water and wastewater infrastructure in regional towns across the state.
NSW DCCEEW, Executive Director for Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty said:
“Everyone deserves access to clean drinking water and that’s why we’re supporting Warrumbungle Shire Council by putting money on the table to keep investigations moving in the right direction.
“With infrastructure that is more than a century old, the system is no longer treating water effectively which is why the NSW Government is thrilled to get behind this project to help identify the best ways to harness new technology and upgrades to boost Dunedoo’s drinking water quality.
“It’s vital we get this planning and development stage right, which includes completing all the appropriate checks and balances so the project is in a good position to progress to the tender phase.”
Mayor of Warrumbungle Shire Council Cr Kathryn Rindfleish said:
“This is the second time this year we’ve teamed up with the NSW Government to look at delivering infrastructure projects that will improve the liveability of Dunedoo which is fantastic news for locals.
“Improving water and wastewater facilities is essential in enabling regional towns to operate and thrive, and ensuring we have safer and more reliable services now and into the future.
“I look forward to seeing this water treatment plant project take shape as we inch closer to getting shovels in the ground and having technology that can produce higher quality drinking water.”
