More than 55,000 consumers across the Barossa region in South Australia will benefit from improved water security as two new 10-megalitre storage tanks are built.

Initial earthworks and pipework installation are nearing completion, with the first concrete slab to be established in November.

Once complete, new water supply will reach growth areas from Craigmore to Roseworthy, as well as western areas of the Barossa.

The project forms part of the SA Government’s $1.5 billion investment in critical water and sewer infrastructure to establish capacity for new homes across Adelaide’s northern and southern fronts.

“These are the largest tanks we have built in Greater Adelaide for more than a decade, and at 6.5m high and 48m wide, (they will) collectively store 20 million litres of drinking water,” SA Water general manager for growth Amanda Lewry said.

“The tanks will ensure reliable services to more than 55,000 existing customers while enabling growth in new and expanding greenfield developments throughout Adelaide’s outer north.

“Importantly, the site was designed for scalability, with space to accommodate additional storage tanks as required to support future growth across the region – including the recently rezoned Concordia.”

Each built with 36 pre-cast concrete panels, the tanks have a 100-year operating life. Newly installed valves have been installed to an inlet and outlet trunk main connecting the tanks with the broader Barossa system. A new tank inlet control facility will be installed to support expected higher flow volumes in the future, as well as further upgrades.

“By investing in this long-term solution, we are enhancing service reliability and security of supply in giving operators greater flexibility to manage key assets, including the Barossa water treatment plant,” Lewry said.

Subscribe to Pump Industry to discover all the latest industry news, technical articles and thought-leading content from Australia’s only dedicated pump magazine.