8 March 2024
As part of maintaining the supply of high-quality drinking water to East Gippsland Water customers, works are being undertaken to replace the 88ML basin liner and cover at the Wy Yung water storage facility.
This $6 million project involves the replacement and/or repair of any drainage pumps, floats, access hatches, underdrainage system, stabilisation of the clay liner and the installation of a new geomembrane liner and floating cover.
East Gippsland Water Executive Manager Sustainability and Infrastructure, Neville Pearce, said: “The 88ML Wy Yung basin is an important piece of infrastructure that supplies our customers in Bairnsdale and the surrounding areas with high-quality drinking water.
“We detected an issue with the polypropylene liner that has compromised its integrity, resulting in a leak into the underdrainage pipe. The pipe has been isolated to reduce internal erosion.
“Over the past few months, we have been undertaking preparatory works to prepare the basin for the liner replacement works. This has involved testing the 36ML concrete water storage tank that is being used as the main water supply system while the works occur and drawing down the water in the basin to our customers and diverting water into our Sarsfield storage tanks.
“Around 12ML of water that was unable to be pumped has been drained via the eastern scour point along Eastwood Road into Clifton Creek. This is potable water with no traces of chlorine.
“We are delighted with the progress and works are due to commence mid-March 2024.”
The contract has been awarded to Fabtech, a company specialising in the design and installation of geomembrane liners and covers. The works will take around six months to complete, weather dependent.
Ends
Image shows the Wy Yung basin being drained
