Under the pump

By Melissa Meehan
ONE pipe down, about 6200 to go.
The first of 84 kilometres of pipes that will deliver desalinated water to Melbourne from the end of 2011 was laid near the Berwick Booster Pump Station last week, with the help of State Water Minister Tim Holding.
Mr Holding, who inspected construction on the pipeline on Thursday, said the project was on schedule and was vital for long-term water security for towns in Western Port and South Gippsland, as well as Melbourne and Geelong.
“The desalination plant will turn sea water into drinking water and is our long-term insurance policy against drought and climate change,” Mr Holding said.
“The pipeline will deliver up to 150 billion litres of water a year from the desalination plant in Wonthaggi to connect with Melbourne’s existing water supply network.”
The pipeline is made up of about 6200 pipes and underground power lines, located within the same easement for about 78 kilometres. They then diverge near Thompsons Road, Clyde North. Water will enter Melbourne’s water supply system through Cardinia Reservoir.
The pipeline travels a further six kilometres to connect with the Melbourne water network at Berwick and the powerlines follow an existing electricity easement to Cranbourne.
The “two-way” pipe will also enable water from Melbourne to be transferred to people in South Gippsland and Westernport.
On Thursday Mr Holding met with workers on the pipeline and even tried his hand at lowering a pipe with a crane.
He watched on as the pipe was welded and inspected other pipes to be laid in coming weeks.