Elmhurst drinking straight from the tap

A new state-of-the-art water treatment facility will supply Elmhurst with fully treated drinking water straight from the tap.

A new state-of-the-art water treatment facility will supply Elmhurst with fully treated drinking water straight from the tap.

Minister for Water Gayle Tierney has announced the completion of the $3 million Elmhurst Drinking Water Supply project. The Pyrenees town is now connected to Grampians Wimmera Mallee (GWM) Water’s supply network.

“Elmhurst residents will no longer have to rely on rainwater tanks and bottled water for drinking, washing their vegetables and brushing their teeth,” Tierney said.

“The new Elmhurst Water Treatment Plant is an innovative solution to provide drinking water to smaller regional communities without putting additional pressure on customers’ water bills.”

Supplying the town with drinking water means residents will no longer rely on water from rainwater tanks or bottled water for drinking and cooking.

“I am so happy for the Elmhurst community, which has fully treated drinking water for the first time. It will improve the health and well-being of locals and make this special community an even more desirable place to call home.” Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said.

The project involved building the Elmhurst Water Treatment Plant, GWM Water’s first completely off-grid water treatment facility.

The award-winning treatment plant features an 85-kilowatt solar array and battery storage, which provides enough renewable energy to power the treatment process and a backup generator if needed.

Not connecting to the electricity grid reduced the impacts on neighbouring properties and native vegetation during construction and provided customers with a more reliable, cost-effective water supply.

Elmhurst’s drinking water is sourced from the local catchment and treated in line with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.

The project is part of the Victorian Government’s work to provide access to safe, high-quality drinking water straight from the tap, supporting rural communities’ growth and thrive.

GWMWater also recently upgraded Ultima’s water supply to provide high-quality, treated drinking water and is planning upgrades to the water supply in Moyston, Kaniva, Berriwillock, and Culgoa.

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