Taps begin to flow on Denmark Pipeline
Water Corporation CEO Pat Donovan and project team marking pipeline completion at the Denmark Water Treatment Plant (August 2021)
From mid-July, around 2,500 homes and businesses in Denmark will, for the first time, begin receiving most of their drinking water via the $25 million Denmark Pipeline.
Built by Water Corporation in 2021 in response to declining and unreliable rainfall, the 43km pipeline connects Denmark to the Lower Great Southern Towns Water Supply Scheme.
It ensures the town no longer solely relies on surface water from its primary source, Quickup Dam. Instead, Denmark can now receive groundwater from Albany in winter, reducing demand for surface water and allowing Quickup Dam to be replenished by winter rainfall.
The pipeline has been used sporadically in recent months to supplement supply, however, from next week it will become the community’s primary water source.
Water Corporation Great Southern Manager Adrian Stewart said pipeline would likely remain Denmark’s main water supply until around mid-September.
“Depending on rainfall in coming months, it’s likely Quickup Dam will be brought online in September, which is when demand begins to increase after winter,” Mr Stewart said.
“The pipeline was designed to help meet demand during winter when we use less water, and for the higher capacity Quickup Dam to be used at other times, including during summer.
“While the pipeline is incredibly important in providing the flexibility to manage supply challenges, it doesn’t mean we can be complacent when it comes to being waterwise – especially if the winter rains don’t come.”
Mr Stewart said some customers may notice a change in taste owing to the switch from rainwater to groundwater, but reassured customers their water was safe to use as normal.
“We simply haven’t had enough rainfall for it to be our main water source at the moment and instead we will rely on groundwater as we do in many parts of WA, including areas of Perth and in Albany,” he said.
“There can be aesthetic differences between water sources, but water is perfectly safe and meets all standards under the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
“Information on how to avoid calcium scaling on household appliances is available on Water Corporation’s website.”
The Albany to Denmark pipeline comprises 7,186 lengths of six-metre pipe (July 2020)