East Gippsland Water is preparing to dismantle a disused 21 metre high water tank overlooking Kalimna.
The steel structure, capable of holding up to 900,000 litres of water, was installed on the hill at Kalimna in 1987, to supply water to meet the needs of nearby residents. Subsequent growth in demand and development around the base of the tank meant it could no longer meet minimum pressure requirements and it was removed from service in 2016. Pressure pumps were installed to deliver a good water pressure, reliably and cost effectively.
The tank has remained out of service ever since. It is a redundant asset that nonetheless requires ongoing maintenance to ensure it remains safe. This is ultimately a cost to East Gippsland Water customers.
East Gippsland Water’s Executive Manager Strategy & Assets, Lara Caplygin, said, “The tank is currently a strong, safe structure, but serves no useful purpose. It’s also now in very close proximity to encroaching residential development. It therefore makes sense to remove the structure before it begins to deteriorate and potentially become a safety hazard to adjacent residents, as it continues to age over time.
“The plan is to dismantle the elevated steel tank towards the end of 2021. It will most likely be removed in sections by crane, with the steel trucked away for recycling.
“We have already contacted nearby residents expected to be directly impacted by the proposed works and would like to thank them for their patience and cooperation.”
Anyone with enquiries about the project should contact East Gippsland Water on 1800 671 841.
Ends