Upgraded pipe and placement to provide better water services in the city

Work is underway to replace and install around 941 metres of large water main in the Adelaide CBD’s East End, improving reliability of supply for local residents and businesses.

Connecting into the existing water network at the Botanic Road/Hackney Road intersection, the new 750-millimetre diameter pipe will be responsible for helping to supply drinking water to more than 160,000 SA Water customers in the wider metropolitan Adelaide area.

SA Water’s General Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure Amanda Lewry said one of the primary reasons the water main is being replaced, is to limit the potential for leaks or breaks, which can disrupt water supply for local properties as well as the commute for people travelling through this busy part of the city.

“The current section of pipe experienced a significant break several years ago, and while repairs were successfully completed at the time, we took this as an opportunity to assess the pipe’s future reliability, and prioritised it for replacement this year,” Amanda said.

“The new pipes will be installed along a different underground route on Rundle Road and through a section of the Park Lands. This enables safer and easier access for maintenance and minimal impact on native vegetation during construction.

“An independent arborist will oversee a detailed tree protection plan while works are underway, with measures including investigating the status of tree roots before excavating around the trunk, placing protective material such as mulch or specialised mats to reduce root compaction, and installing temporary fencing to create a buffer between trees and where machinery is moving.

“Following the completion of our works, we will be reinstating some removed trees and shrubbery, and will plant hundreds of individual native shrub plantings and ground cover species, complementing the existing aesthetic value of the Park Lands.”

Preliminary night works along North Terrace – between Frome Road and East Terrace – are already complete, with day works now being undertaken along Rundle Road – between East Terrace and Dequetteville Terrace – which will then continue to the eastern section of the nearby Park Lands.

Further night construction along North Terrace and on Botanic Road – between East Terrace and Hackney Road – will begin in June and will involve installing pipe below the footpath, to minimise the impact to road users and reduce reinstatement requirements.

“All works are timed to avoid peak traffic periods, including when AFL games are scheduled at Adelaide Oval or other events are taking place in the East End,” Amanda said.

“Together with one of our major contract partners, McConnell Dowell/Diona joint venture, we’re committed to minimising any impacts to the community during construction, such as dust or noise caused by the use of heavy machinery and increased vehicle movement in and out of our worksite and equipment laydown area.

“We’re progressively providing project information to local residents and business owners, as works proceed along each road, including advance notice of any temporary interruption to their drinking water supply.

“For the safety of our people and commuters, we ask everyone to please take note of the localised traffic management in place while our works are underway.”

Subject to weather and any technical constraints, these complex works are expected to take around three months to complete.

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