The capital works component of Water Quality 2010 was developed to advance the quality of treated water, reduce discoloured water events and facilitate maintenance and monitoring. Capital works include process improvements at our water filtration plant, upgrades to reservoirs and refurbishment of pipelines throughout the water supply system.

Treatment process improvements

Council is implementing a range of best practices to enhance the operation of our Water Filtration Plant at Somersby.

These include:

• Construction of a lime and carbon dioxide dosing system to stabilise the treated water, buffering it against pH changes in the system and minimising the corrosion of cement-lined pipes.
• Construction of a potassium permanganate dosing system to facilitate manganese removal from the water, thereby minimising the amount of discoloured water-causing material entering the water supply system.
• Construction of a pre-chlorination system to provide an additional barrier assisting in the removal of manganese from the water.
• Installation of a facility to remove wastewater containing high iron and manganese levels from the treatment process.

Reservoir improvements

To prevent contamination of the water quality in reservoirs and improve reservoir performance, Council is making improvements to many of the reservoirs within the water supply system.

These improvements include:

• Replacement of corroded ladders.
• Refurbishment of roofing and bird-proofing.
• Replacement of roof hatches where gaps in roofing are present.
• Installation of devices to encourage mixing within the reservoir.

Pipeline improvements

To reduce the amount of discoloured water-causing material in the water supply system and improve its performance, Council is refurbishing and enhancing pipelines in key areas of the water supply system.

These improvements include:

• Installation of pipework and valves to facilitate cleaning of large trunk mains between Somersby and North Gosford, and between Kariong and Woy Woy.
• Replacement of unlined valves and hydrants in the Peninsula.

Other possible improvements may include removal of dead ends in water mains and creation of supply zones in areas where complex networks of pipes exist so as to improve water velocities through the pipes. 

Monitoring equipment

To facilitate monitoring and analysis of the water supply system, Council are purchasing and installing monitoring equipment throughout the system.

This equipment includes:

• Flowmeters installed in key locations throughout the system.
• Installation of new in-line monitoring equipment to provide information on water quality at key locations in the system and act as early warning systems for water quality issues.
• New portable monitoring equipment to allow water quality investigations at specific properties.
• New laboratory analysis equipment.
• New field sampling equipment.

Visit our upcoming water supply works schedule to find out more details about planned works in your area.

See also:

Drinking Water Quality
Understanding your drinking water
Water Quality 2010