EP pipeline flowing again after truck mishap

The collaboration and quick-thinking of SA Water crews from across South Australia has helped keep water flowing to customers on the western Eyre Peninsula after a truck damaged a water pipeline near Poochera.

On Saturday morning, SA Water crews were alerted to an incident on the Eyre Highway where a tyre blowout reportedly caused a road train to collide with an above-ground water pipeline.   

Despite around 170 metres of pipeline needing repairs as a result of the collision, the truck's driver was thankfully not injured.

SA Water's Senior Manager of Customer Field Services Colin Bell said with that pipeline responsible for delivering water supply to Ceduna and Streaky Bay, crews needed to act quickly to ensure it did not develop into a situation that impacted supply to the major towns.     

"The 17 million-plus litres of water storage capacity in our tanks near Ceduna, Smoky Bay and Streaky Bay ensured normal water service could be supplied to customers in the three townships, with an alternative water supply available for our approximately 100 farming and residential customers in Poochera," Colin said.

"It was a large and complex job to repair the pipeline, with crews coming from a number of our Eyre Peninsula depots and welding teams mobilised or on standby from Crystal Brook, South Para and even 700-plus kilometres away in the Riverland.

"It was a great team effort to respond in such an unusual situation and demonstrates the passion of our crews of around 25 who worked as quickly and safely as possible throughout the weekend to ensure local customers could still access water.

"We also thank SA Police, State Emergency Services, Country Fire Service and a number of other contractors who assisted to help manage the incident safely for the crews and road users along the Eyre Highway."

Repairs to the damaged pipeline were completed by crews in the early hours of Monday morning, with water flow into Ceduna, Smoky Bay and Streaky Bay tanks restored within a matter of hours.

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