New drinking water supply flowing for Wellington East

A high-quality, safe, and clean supply of drinking water is now being supplied directly to the taps of around 220 residents in Wellington East, following the completion of major upgrades to connect the region to the SA Water network.

Previously operated by the Coorong District Council, Wellington East’s water system has historically sourced raw, untreated water from the River Murray that was classified as not usable for use as drinking water.

The upgrades to connect residents to SA Water’s existing supply network brings the township’s drinking water supply in line with the strict health and safety requirements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011), with both SA Water and SA Health confirming the water is safe to drink.

SA Water’s General Manager of Customer, Community and Engagement David Coombe said the change is a positive outcome for the local community.

“This is a major milestone that delivers a safe, clean and reliable supply of drinking water directly to our new customers in Wellington East for the first time,” David said.

“Having previously relied primarily on other sources of drinking water, the transition to our network means residents can now top up their kettle or pour a glass of safe, high-quality drinking water straight from the tap.

“Getting to this point required a significant amount of work, with crews installing a new, 1.2-kilometre-long pipeline connecting the township to treated drinking water from our Tailem Bend to Keith Pipeline, along with installing pressure-reducing valves to maintain consistent water pressure across the network.

“Following a thorough and rigorous commissioning process which included disinfecting the town’s raw water mains network, our extensive water quality testing with SA Health confirmed the new supply as safe for consumption.

“We know the positive benefits this will provide to the community, and we hope our new customers in Wellington East enjoy their new drinking water supply into the future.”

Mr Coombe said there are practical actions residents need to take to ensure the quality of their new drinking water supply, with this information directly provided in advance to customers connected to the SA Water network.

“This includes running both indoor and outdoor taps for around 2 to 3 minutes - or until it runs clear - when using the new water for the first time to assist in flushing the property’s internal plumbing systems,” David said.

“In addition, any resident previously using a raw water-supplied tank needing to fully drain and clean the tank before filling it with mains water.

“There is also specific information for appropriately treating tap water if used to fill aquariums, ponds, fish tanks and other environments for aquatic animals, and we recommend those customers seek advice on the most appropriate water treatment products with their local pet shop or aquarium supplier.”

Management of the water network officially transitioned to SA Water as of 27 July 2026, with the utility now responsible for the operation and management of the water network from this date, along with customer account management.

“We encourage any of our new connecting customers with questions about their new supply, including for information about flexible payment options for those having difficulty in paying their bill, to contact our team at 1300 SA WATER.”

For more information on the project, visit watertalks.sawater.com.au.