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Work has commenced on the installation of a stock and domestic pipeline for the Hay Private Irrigation District.
The pipeline is the culmination of two years work by the Board and staff of the PID, and will deliver a pressurised stock and domestic water supply to the farm gate of each PID customer.
Chairman of the Hay Private Irrigation District, Ross Headon said that the drought and subsequent low water allocations have made it difficult to deliver stock and domestic water requirements through the open channel system.
"The open channels are designed to deliver large volumes of irrigation water supply, not small volumes of stock and domestic water, and this has resulted in significant water losses," said Mr Headon.
"The new pipeline will provide an efficient means of supplying stock and domestic water requirements even in times of low water availability," said Mr Headon. "It will also provide our customers with a cleaner and more reliable water supply."
The pipeline has been designed to initially deliver stock and domestic water supply to 124 users within the Hay Irrigation Area. The design will also allow for future expansion both within the PID area and has the potential to deliver water to users outside of the PID area if required.
"The neighbouring Kangaroo Water Supply Scheme has already indicated that it would like to join onto the scheme which is a great outcome so early in the life of the pipeline," said Mr Headon.
Construction of the pipeline is being undertaken by Archards Irrigation Pty Ltd, from Cohuna. Archards Irrigation were awarded the contract from an open tender process commenced late in 2007. On site project management is being provided by WaterBiz, a water management organisation based in Wagga Wagga.
The project will also result in a gain for local contractors Doyles Electrical who will be conducting the electrical fit out of the pump station and Jacka Excavator and Truck Hire who are contracted to complete the earthmoving work.
The project is being funded by Water for Rivers, the company responsible for the recovery of environmental water for the Snowy and Murray Rivers.
Kaye Dalton, Project Director with Water for Rivers, said that the pipeline offered a win for the customers of Hay PID, and a win for the environment, with 1,000 megalitres of water being saved as a result of the project. This water will now be available for environmental flows in the Snowy and Murray Rivers.
"Water for Rivers has been working closely with the Hay PID over the past two years to design and cost a pipeline that will service the needs of their customers and offer an affordable and efficient means of supplying their stock and domestic water," said Ms Dalton.
The water savings generated as a result of the project will be provided to Water for Rivers in return for investment in the pipeline and pump station design and installation.
"This project is an important example of a water savings project that provides both local and national benefits and will serve as a model that can be copied by other irrigation and water supply organisations", said Ms Dalton.
Pipeline construction is expected to take 8 to 10 weeks to complete.
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