Port Wakefield Fact Sheet - SA Water

Port Wakefield Water Supply Upgrade Project
To support commercial, industrial and residential development in the Wakefield Region and to provide
capacity to Rex Mineral’s proposed Hillside Mine on the Yorke Peninsula, the Wakefield Regional Council
has worked closely with Regional Development Australia and SA Water to secure funding for a water supply
upgrade project.
Background
In collaboration with industry and regional development boards, the Department for Primary Industry and
Regions South Australia (PIRSA) has identified the Wakefield region as a suitable location for future intensive
livestock industry development. The Wakefield Regional Council worked with SA Water to secure funding from
the Regional Development Australia Fund toward the cost of the project. SA Water is delivering the project
and will take ownership of the pipeline when the project is complete.
Upgrade works
Leed Engineering and Construction will be delivering the project on behalf of SA Water. Construction works
will include the installation of 43km of pipeline from the Upper Wakefield storage to Port Wakefield Township
via Balaklava and Bowmans and three pressure reducing valve (PRV) installations at Balaklava, Bowmans and
Port Wakefield. The majority of pipeline work will be delivered through existing road corridors.
Pipe installation
Pipes are made of glass reinforced plastic. Typically pipes are laid in 12 metre long segments - this size of pipe
is transportable and fits on to a standard truck.
A trench is dug along the preferred alignment. A typical trench size is 0.6m to 1.0m wide by 0.9m to 1.2m
deep. Sometimes trenches are wider and deeper due to the terrain, to accommodate larger pipes, or to avoid
underground services such as telecommunications.
When laying new pipework, underground services are sometimes not located according to the plans, in this
instance laying pipes requires more digging and more time to navigate underground services.
PRVs
To ensure a secure, consistent and reliable water supply a steady pressure in the system is required. This is
achieved by the installation of pressure reducing valves (PRVs) on our pipelines. PRVs also help to minimise
leaks and pipe bursts. Three PRVs are planned for construction along the Port Wakefield pipeline.
PRVs constructed in residential areas are designed to contain noise, with internal machinery housed within
acoustically controlled structures. The small building that will house the PRV as well as the surrounding
landscaping will be designed to be aesthetically pleasing and blend in with the surrounding environment.

Site compounds
A site office has been established on Railway Terrace, Balaklava. Smaller areas along the alignment may be
used as temporary work zones during the day and to store construction equipment and materials when not in
use.
What impacts you may experience during the project
SA Water requires all contractors to have construction management plans in place to address local issues
including access to properties, traffic and environemental management. Some construction impacts are
unavoidable, however SA Water is committed to keeping construction impacts to a minimum.
Some construction impacts you may experience are:
• Increased noise, dust and construction traffic around the site
• Safety/barricade fencing around work sites
• Traffic and parking access may be temporalily restricted near construction sites
• Excavation work on roads verges
• In high traffic areas or where water use is critical, night works and working over weekends may be
necessary and residents will be notified in advance if this is likely to occur
Interuption to water supply
As no customers are directly connected to the main, there are no lengthy disruptions to water supply planned
during these works. Smaller shut downs may occur when the pipe is connected into the existing system. The
project team will provide affected households and businesses advance notice of any temporary disruptions to
water supply.
Reinstatement
Once the pipes are laid and joined, the soil and any landscaping and roads are reinstated to as near as
practicable to the original condition. Directly surrounding the pipe, a bedding material of sand and other
graded rock is laid. This material is compacted and gives the pipeline structural support.
Reinstatement occurs as soon as possible after the pipeline has been laid.
More Information
SA Water will keep the broader community informed of progress in a number of ways, such as letters, signage
and SA Water website. If you are interested in finding out more about the Port Wakefield Water Supply
Upgrade Project, contact SA Water on:
Phone: 1800 812 362
Email:
Online:
project@sawater.com.au
www.sawater.com.au