
The most important 7 news of water industry in the 2nd week of September
SA Water begins major upgrade on key pipeline
SA Water’s Tailem Bend to Keith Pipeline has commenced a major upgrade as part of the utility’s $5.8 million investment to secure water services for customers in the state’s Murray Mallee and South East regions.
Four of the pipeline’s original 3.5t valves will be replaced as part of the project, and a further three new valves and bypass pipework are also planned for installation in Coonalpyn, Culburra and Tintinara to improve water supply management to the towns.

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Sydney Water commences $185M wastewater network upgrade
Sydney Water is conducting upgrades to the Richmond Wastewater network to help accommodate the rapidly increasing population, with the construction upgrade expected to create 200 job opportunities.
The project will include a new wastewater pumping station and the construction of a new seven kilometre main which is expected to transfer wastewater from North Richmond to Richmond.

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VIC water sector appoints 125 new board members
The Victorian Minister for Water has announced the appointment of 125 new board members across the state’s water corporations, increasing diversity and representation throughout the sector.
The newly appointed members are stretched across Victoria’s 18 water corporations, nine Catchment Management Authorities, and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder, bringing new skills and perspectives into the water sector, making the total number of board members 227.

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USACE, Alaska stakeholders sign agreement for Utqiagvik coastal erosion project
The USACE Alaska District conducted a ceremonial signing event on August 29 recognizing the official agreement for the planned construction of the Barrow Coastal Erosion Project near Utqiagvik.
The project will involve constructing a rock revetment at the bluff area, building a protective berm and raising a street to reduce the flooding and erosion brought by severe coastal storms.
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EPA issues final rule on Clean Water Act Section 401
The U.S. EPA has announced a final rule on Clean Water Act Section 401, restoring and strengthening the role of states, territories and authorized Tribes in federal agencies’ activities as it affects water quality.
“With EPA’s final Clean Water Act Section 401 rule, we are affirming the authority of states, territories, and Tribes to protect precious water resources while advancing federally permitted projects in a transparent, timely, and predictable way,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
The 2023 rule enhances states’ and territories’ certification process to protect water quality from federally permitted projects.

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$185M upgrade for Sydney Water wastewater network
Sydney Water has announced the commencement of a $185 million upgrade to the Richmond wastewater network to support the region’s rising population, with the major works expected to create local 200 jobs.

The project will include a new wastewater pumping station and the construction of a new seven kilometre main which is expected to transfer wastewater from North Richmond to Richmond.
The improvements are in keeping with Sydney Water’s goal of building critical water and wastewater infrastructure to enable the construction of future dwellings in Greater Sydney.
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Winner of 2023 QLD Water Taste Test competition announced
The winner of the TracWater Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test has been announced, after 18 different water samples from around Queensland competed in the taste off, marking a record number of samples tested in the competition.
The winner of the 2023 competition is Fraser Coast Regional Council, with water from the Burgowan Water Treatment Plant getting the highest score.
The Burgowan Water Treatment plant sources water from Lake Lenthall on the Burrum River and takes it through a pre-treatment process of lime and carbon dioxide to produce a non-corrosive product water.

The treatment includes clarification, ozonation to remove dissolved organic matter, taste compounds and any algal toxins, biological activated carbon filters to remove readily biodegradable bi-products and residual floc particles, and finally disinfection and water pH correction with sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide respectively.