SA Water has completed a $5.8 million upgrade of the 132-kilometre Tailem Bend to Keith pipeline, reinforcing water reliability for more than 3,000 homes and businesses across South Australia’s Lower Murray, Mallee and Upper South East regions.
Constructed in 1973, the pipeline transports treated River Murray water from the Tailem Bend Water Treatment Plant through a further 800 kilometres of connected mains, supplying several rural communities and agricultural customers.
SA Water’s General Manager Sustainable Infrastructure, Peter Seltsikas, said the project reached its final milestone with the installation of a seventh 3.5-tonne valve at Tintinara, marking the culmination of an extensive refurbishment program.
“Water valves play a crucial role in helping us control the flow of water and enable localised isolations during any maintenance or unplanned works,” Seltsikas said. “That helps reduce the number of affected customers and ensures our regional communities continue to receive a reliable supply.”
Extending the life of legacy infrastructure
The works involved refurbishing three existing valves, some of which were still in service from the original Engineering & Water Supply Department era, alongside the installation of four new valves ranging from 525 mm to 750 mm in diameter, among the largest in SA Water’s regional network.
“Our crews removed the valves from their underground chambers and safely reinstalled them once the refurbishments were complete,” Seltsikas said. “By refurbishing the original valves, we’ve prioritised sustainability, reducing waste and overall project costs.”
To house the new infrastructure, the project team constructed three 3-metre-deep underground chambers, ensuring long-term operational safety and ease of access for maintenance.
Designed for resilience and continuity
To maintain supply throughout construction, SA Water installed bypass pipework at key network points, allowing crews to isolate sections of the pipeline without interrupting service to downstream communities.
The improved valve network will reduce future service disruptions, benefiting nearly 700 properties in Coonalyn, Culburra and Tintinara.
“Commencing in September 2023, this project was a significant undertaking made possible by the strong partnership between SA Water and our construction partner Fleurieu Civil,” Seltsikas said. “Dedicated teams worked tirelessly to ensure our regional areas can continue to rely on this pipeline for many years to come.”
At full capacity, the Tailem Bend to Keith pipeline can transport up to 44 million litres of drinking water each day, supporting essential industries, farms and town supplies across a large portion of regional South Australia.
Seltsikas said the completed upgrade demonstrates how proactive asset management and sustainable design are ensuring the state’s critical water infrastructure continues to perform under changing demand and climate conditions.